Edwin Glass went to prison with the expectation he would serve 51 months of a 60-month sentence, the 85-percent standard for a violent crime. He ended up doing 56 months, or 93 percent. Does that make Connecticut tough or lenient?
From prison to freedom: ‘Our goal is to bat a thousand, but obviously that isn’t going to happen’
Posted inNews
Trump’s debate claim on health care costs: It depends what you mean by ‘cost’
Health care finally came up as an issue in the second presidential debate in St. Louis Sunday night. But the discussion may have confused more than clarified the issue for many voters.
Posted inMoney, Politics
GOP leader urges nonpartisan analysts to weigh in on CT budget controversy
The top Republican in the state Senate urged nonpartisan fiscal analysts Tuesday to complete their own assessment of the current state budget as soon as possible.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A cruel irony: Connecticut is wealthier, yet no better off
A cruel irony lies at the core of our current economic conditions. We have never been wealthier, more productive, or more efficient, yet, for many, the odds of obtaining meaningful employment, economic security, quality education, and adequate healthcare grow ever longer.
Posted inHealth
DSS’s long-awaited computer fix finally arrives, starting today
The mainframe computer system underpinning operations at the state Department of Social Services is so old, there are few people left who know how to fix it. It’s been blamed for stymieing the agency’s ability to handle programs that serve nearly 1 million people. As its replacement launches in part of the state today, officials say some growing pains are expected.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy administration disclosed budget deficit to agencies last month
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration last month warned dozens of state agency heads of a significant shortfall in the current budget — but continues to officially report that finances remain in balance.
Posted inHealth, Politics
UnitedHeathcare a player in insurance merger lawsuits
WASHINGTON – UnitedHealthcare, the nation’s largest health insurer and former potential suitor to merge with Cigna, provided the Justice Department with a large amount of sensitive, proprietary and confidential information to help the government investigate and block the mergers by its rivals.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
In CCJEF v. Rell, a troubling outlook on funding students with disabilities
Deep in Judge Thomas Moukawsher’s decision in the Connecticut Coalition for Justice in Educational Funding v. Rell is troubling language regarding funding for students with severe disabilities. Judge Moukawsher is correct that identifying students with disabilities remains imprecise and subjective. And yes, school funding issues are negatively and disparately impacting students with disabilities. However, the language Judge Moukawsher uses in his ruling regarding determining educational benefits for students with the most severe disabilities is disturbing at best.
Posted inPolitics
CT GOP wonders how to change the topic from Trump to economy
Connecticut Republicans struggled over the weekend to gauge how badly their campaign to win control of the Connecticut General Assembly has been sidetracked by the spectacle of a defiant Donald J. Trump facing off against the establishment of both parties over a video showing him crudely boasting of his ability as a celebrity to molest women with impunity.
Posted inNews
Teamsters approve Sikorsky deal by lopsided margin
Teamsters Local Union 1150 voted by a 15-1 margin Sunday for concessions sought by Lockheed Martin as part of an incentives deal with the state that will keep its Sikorsky Aircraft subsidiary and production of its next generation of helicopters in Connecticut, state officials said.
Posted inEducation, Money, Politics, Transportation
Municipal, business and labor leaders plan summit on economy
Connecticut’s municipal, business and labor leaders will convene their second annual fall summit next month to develop strategies to bolster the state’s economic future.
Posted inMoney
New deal reopens Old State House to the public, possibly by Nov. 1
The agreement returns control of the downtown Hartford landmark to the Office of Legislative Management, ending a plan to shift oversight to the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. It also ensures that paintings, antiques and other memorabilia slated for removal from the Old State House will remain in the building.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
So many transportation questions, so few easy answers
Every week I bump into someone on the train or at a store who says… “Hey… You’re that train guy!” Who knew that this job would come with such notoriety? But while nobody seems to want my autograph, they all want to talk about their favorite transportation problem, usually in the form of a question. Here are a few of my favorites, by category:
Posted inEducation
Steep tuition hike pitched for many community college students
Updated at 7:13 p.m.
Tuition and fees would increase next semester for community college students who take more than 12 credit hours, and the regional Connecticut state universities would stop offering students health insurance under two proposals to balance a difficult budget for the state college system.
Posted inMoney
Henkel to move business from Arizona to Stamford, with state aid
Henkel, a German manufacturer of soaps, beauty products and industrial sealants, is expanding operations in Connecticut by moving its laundry and beauty divisions from Scottsdale, Ariz., to Stamford with the assistance of up to $20 million in forgivable loans from the state’s “First Five Plus” program.