Insurance Commissioner Katharine L. Wade’s controversial refusal to recuse herself from ruling on the Anthem-Cigna insurance merger has provoked a reappraisal of ethics regulators, who heavily rely on the self-reporting of public officials, and an ethics code that may be clearer to lawyers than lovers of English.
Anthem-Cigna controversy exposes gaps in ethics rules
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
Our interstate system is an engineering marvel — and in need of repairs
As anyone who drives on I-95 in Connecticut knows, the interstates have far surpassed their expected traffic load and are in need of billions of repairs. Little did we know 60 years ago what our automotive future might bring.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Three of 10 ‘Slices of Justice’ is a good start
After a season of campaigning, we, the Grow Hartford Youth, are proud to announce that three of our 10 slices in our “10 Slices of Justice” campaign to improve Hartford Public High School lunches will be a reality in the fall of 2016.
Posted inPolitics
Backed by CT lawmakers, new law shields Puerto Rico from creditor lawsuits
WASHINGTON — Puerto Rico announced Friday it will default on nearly $1 billion of its debt, but legislation backed by Connecticut lawmakers and signed by President Barack Obama this week puts a halt to legal battles that would stem from the island’s inability to pay for a growing share of its debt.
Posted inMoney
Lembo sees a few ‘bright spots’ among CT’s fiscal woes
While confirming that state government’s finances have slipped yet again, Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo also said Friday that a few “bright spots” show Connecticut’s economy might not be done growing.
Posted inHealth
As deadline looms, 15 percent losing Medicaid find new coverage
Connecticut’s health insurance exchange announced Thursday about 15 percent of low-income parents set to lose their state-sponsored Medicaid coverage at the end of July have transitioned to new insurance plans. Officials expect about 14,000 parents to lose their HUSKY A coverage.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Money
Legislators fear budget cuts taking their toll on CT’s parks
The Senate chairwoman of the legislature’s Sportsmen’s Caucus conceded Wednesday she’s uncertain how much can be done to fix the situation, given state government’s ongoing fiscal woes.
Posted inEducation
Leadership changes at state’s largest public college system
Nicholas M. Donofrio is being replaced as chair of the Board of Regents by Matt Fluery, and a new provost has been named. The president of Southern Connecticut State University is departing for a post in California.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Comptroller says Wade should recuse herself on Cigna merger
Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo publicly urged Insurance Commissioner Katharine L. Wade on Thursday to recuse herself from Connecticut’s review of the Anthem-Cigna merger, saying even a positive legal ruling from ethics officials would not overcome the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Posted inNews
Malloy directs agencies to save $130M to balance new CT budget
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy assigned nearly $130 million in total savings targets Thursday to dozens of state agencies to help balance the new state budget that begins Friday. Although legislators assigned limits in some cases to spread the burden out among as many agencies as possible, the cuts fell heaviest on social services and education.
Posted inPolitics
Some CT GOP challengers give Trump a cool embrace; most skipping convention
WASHINGTON — While three GOP candidates for Connecticut’s congressional seats are enthusiastic about Trump, John Shaban, running in the 4th District, has not committed and two others have offered a cool embrace.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Thumbs down on the SEEC settlement with state Dems
The the State Elections Enforcement Commission (SEEC) settled a long-running, high-profile case involving the Connecticut Democratic Party (CDP). Although the terms of the settlement are commendable in many respects–including imposing the largest election law violation fine (excuse me, “voluntary payment”) in state history–the SEEC exercised poor judgment in deciding to settle the case. Rightly or wrongly, justly or unjustly, the settlement creates the appearance that a major political party in Connecticut can “buy” its way out of an embarrassing investigation by the chief regulator of our state campaign finance laws.
Posted inEducation
UConn revokes Bill Cosby’s honorary degree
The University of Connecticut on Wednesday became the ninth university to revoke an honorary doctorate awarded to Bill Cosby. It was the first honorary degree the university has ever revoked.
Posted inHealth
State health exchange considers new transition fairs, adds hours
One week after the first pair of transition enrollment fairs drew just one attendee, Connecticut’s health insurance exchange announced Wednesday it plans to keep future fairs open for an additional hour and will consider scheduling new ones.
Posted inPolitics
A ‘day of action’ on both sides of America’s divide over firearms
FARMINGTON – If the gun lobby has a soft underbelly, congressional Democrats and their allies seem to be betting it is the refusal to compromise, especially on the issue of whether individuals barred from commercial airlines as a security risk should be able to purchase firearms.