CLEVELAND — Donald J. Trump accepted the Republican nomination for president Thursday night with a promise to tear up bad trade deals, repeal Obamcare, end crime, secure the borders and defend U.S. citizens and interests against Islamic radicals, never saying how.
Trump accepts nomination with tough, disciplined speech
Posted inPolitics
As Trump is nominated, Stein brings Green Party campaign to CT
In a 45-minute speech reminiscent of the long, fiery, policy-heavy speeches delivered by Democrat Bernie Sanders during his campaign, Green Party candidate Jill Stein called on his former supporters to join her in continuing the political revolution he started.
Posted inEducation, Justice
DCF envisions a better way to work with incarcerated juveniles
The agency’s concepts offer a preview of what a juvenile justice system might look like after the state closes its controversial jail for juveniles in Middletown.
Posted inPolitics
Wade ethics case continuing despite halt to Anthem-Cigna review
Connecticut Insurance Commissioner Katharine Wade’s decision to suspend her review of the proposed merger between Anthem and Cigna has not gotten her out of hot water. The Citizens Ethics Advisory Board will continue with a review of whether Wade should recuse herself from reviewing the $54 billion Anthem-Cigna deal.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy, Malloy join list of speakers at DNC convention
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy, who has raised his profile with his fight for gun control measures in Congress, and Gov. Dannel Malloy will speak at the Democratic National Convention that will begin in Philadelphia on Monday.
Posted inHealth, Money
Union ad features disabled woman’s appeal to reverse state layoffs
Connecticut’s largest health care workers union took to the airwaves Thursday to protest ongoing state employee layoffs.
Posted inMoney
CT’s unemployment rate rose in June despite job growth
Connecticut’s unemployment rose slightly in June, despite the addition of 7,900 jobs, from 5.7 to 5.8 percent, the state Department of Labor reported Thursday.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Justice Dept. sues to block Aetna-Humana, Anthem-Cigna mergers
WASHINGTON — The Justice Department filed lawsuits Thursday to block both proposed mergers between Aetna and Humana and Anthem and Cigna. The insurers said they would fight the suits.
Posted inPolitics
Cruz follows Trump snub with fundraising appeal to GOP
CLEVELAND — Ted Cruz’s non-endorsement of Donald J.Trump in his speech to the Republican National Convention was only the first of his two messages that infuriated GOP delegates in the space of five hours late Wednesday and early Thursday. The second was a 1 a.m. money appeal.
Posted inPolitics
Klarides says nothing political in late arrival at RNC
CLEVELAND — House Minority Leader Themis Klarides of Derby arrived here Thursday morning, saying she was delayed by a need to spend time with her ailing father, not a desire to distance herself from Donald J. Trump, the Republican National Convention or the GOP platform. Sen. Art Linares of Westbrook showed up Wednesday night.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A very public look into Connecticut health insurance premiums
The Connecticut Insurance Department’s prime mission is consumer protection. Helping consumers understand what drives health insurance rates is critical to the larger picture of how we can all work together to address rising health care costs. … Connecticut consumers have an important opportunity to communicate with their health insurers by directly weighing in on the cost of their health insurance and I encourage everyone to participate. The Insurance Department is holding three public hearings over the course of two days – August 3-4 – on proposed rate increases on individual plans for three of the largest carriers in the state – Anthem, ConnectiCare and Aetna.
Posted inEducation, Health, Justice, Money
Education, social service agencies digest their big budget cuts
Three critical state departments – education, social services, and mental health and addiction services – have submitted plans to the governor’s budget office for saving their shares of the $847 million cut from this fiscal year’s budget. Every state agency will eventually submit a plan.
Posted inPolitics
Republican delegates ‘like Mike’ and rain boos on Cruz
CLEVELAND — On a raucous night when delegates booed Ted Cruz for failing to endorse Donald J. Trump in a prime-time address, Mike Pence introduced himself to a national audience with a speech that touched lightly on abortion and made no mention of gay marriage, issues that Connecticut Democrats highlight and Republicans ignore, stressing Trump’s core themes of security and economic growth.
Posted inPolitics
CT GOP delegates, this meal is brought to you by…
CLEVELAND — The daily breakfast buffet for the Connecticut delegation to the Republican National Convention is courtesy of United Concrete Products of Wallingford, a state contractor. An afternoon cruise Wednesday aboard the Goodtime III was paid for by the Mashantucket Pequots and Mohegans, two tribes trying to win legislative approval to jointly develop their first casino off tribal land. But overall, sponsorships are down.
Posted inMoney
Administration’s final CT budget report has good news and bad
The final report from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration on the just-completed fiscal year says the deficit for the 2015-16 fiscal year improved modestly, from about $316 million to $279 million, largely because of a last-minute surge in federal grants. But it also shows further erosion in tax receipts.