WASHINGTON — Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy split this week on whether to boost military spending by $18 billion – allowing the Pentagon to increase its purchase of Connecticut-made weaponry – without raising the amount of money spent on domestic programs as well.
Blumenthal, Murphy split over boost in defense spending
Posted inPolitics
With mixed feelings, labor makes its endorsements in CT
The debate was raucous and raw, and two old friends drew angry opposition. But the Connecticut AFL-CIO eventually agreed Friday on dozens of endorsements of Democrats for the General Assembly and Congress.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Connecticut woman is Muslim, American, and breaking barriers
As an American Muslim mother of two, being born and raised in the suburbs of Connecticut to a typical middle-class family, I’m really as American as they come. As a Muslim, I follow the religion of Islam. I’m not talking about the Islam that’s portrayed on TV, but the true Islam which teaches “love and loyalty to one’s country as a part of faith.” Of course, as a Muslim who follows the true teachings of Islam by reading the Holy Quran, it’s hard for me to understand why society fears me.
Posted inNews
Stadium fiasco threatens novel renewal idea
The controversial delays and added costs at Hartford’s new minor league baseball stadium not only put the 2016 Hartford Yard Goats baseball season on life support, it threatens what could be the city’s boldest renewal effort since the Front Street project began in the 1990s.
Posted inMoney
CT agencies told to start planning for big cuts for 2017-18
A few weeks after balancing the state budget entirely with spending cuts, the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is already warning state agencies to start planning for big reductions in discretionary spending in the following two fiscal years.
Posted inNews
BIA says Schaghticoke petition is lacking
WASHINGTON — The Bureau of Indian Affairs on Thursday said a petition for recognition from the Schaghticoke Indian Tribe is incomplete, missing four key elements that would allow the application to move forward. “The department finds your recently submissions of material…do not meet the requirements for a documented petition,” the BIA said.
Posted inMoney
Malloy vetoes tax breaks passed on final night of session
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vetoed two bills Thursday, siding with municipalities on one that would have allowed 100-percent property tax breaks in perpetuity for non-profit and for-profit arts entities. The other would have enhanced legislative oversight over economic-development incentives, and Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo called that veto “deeply troubling.”
Posted inPolitics
Angry, yet pragmatic, CT AFL-CIO assesses role in 2016 elections
The Connecticut AFL-CIO vented Thursday at Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic legislators, but the labor federation will convene again Friday, probably to endorse some of the same Democrats accused of betraying labor on the state budget. The reason is a labor report card: The best-ranked Republicans have lifetime scores of 60 percent, lower than the worst-ranked Democrat.
Posted inEducation
CT dangles in-state tuition to entice students across the border
Connecticut public college officials hope to lure college-bound students from Massachusetts this fall by offering them in-state tuition rates if they enroll in Asnuntuck Community College in Enfield.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
An education revolution beckons. In Connecticut, who will lead?
Recently I had the opportunity to testify before the Education Committee of the Connecticut Legislature. I commented that education policy in our state sadly resembles the phenomenon of the “Macarena.” Play along for a moment. Let your mind drift back 20 years or so to any random wedding. …
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Better outcomes in CT juvenile justice — and potentially savings, too
With the state’s new fiscal reality as background, the Children’s League of Connecticut has offered a number of policy based solutions meant to improve the quality of life for youth and families served by the Connecticut juvenile justice system. In many cases these concepts will result in lower costs to taxpayers and in all cases we believe our suggestions will result in better outcomes for youth and their families — which should be everyone’s goal.
Posted inJustice
At CT’s juvenile jail, a spike in staff injuries
Updated at 7:30 a.m.
The number of youth incarcerated at the state’s controversial jail for juvenile offenders may have reached a record low, but the number of staff being injured in assaults or while physically restraining residents has shot up.
Posted inJustice, Money, Politics
Judicial Branch to cut community programs
Facing $77 million in cuts under the finalized budget, the state’s Judicial Branch has announced new actions to close the gap, including a plan to scale back community-based programs for juvenile and adult offenders.
Posted inPolitics
Economy, budget drop Malloy’s approval to all-time low of 24%
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s approval rating hit a low of 24 percent Wednesday in a new Quinnipiac University poll, reflecting voter dismay over a chronic fiscal crisis that has come to define his six years as governor, most recently requiring service reductions and state employee layoffs.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
Enjoy your car, but remember Big Brother is watching
You may feel that your car is your last private refuge in this busy world. But there’s someone along for the ride: Big Brother. And you’d be surprised what he knows about you, thanks to modern technology.