The state Judicial Branch announced Thursday it had begun serving another 113 layoff notices to employees, bringing total notices served to 239.
CT Judicial Branch begins serving another 113 layoff notices
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut Mirror bill tracker 2016
Here’s a look at which bills made it through the 2016 legislative session and which ones didn’t. Some bills could be revived in the upcoming special session as part of omnibus bills written to implement policy changes related to the budget.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Insurance giants’ proposed merger likely to hurt Connecticut health care
The proposed mergers of insurance giants Anthem/Cigna and Aetna/Humana are likely to have a negative impact on both the cost and quality of care in Connecticut. Mergers are usually justified by claims of increased efficiency and opportunity for innovation, but based on past experience those results are rarely delivered. In fact, such a major consolidation would permanently change our state’s health care system for patients, physicians and other stakeholders.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
School funding inequity is affecting charter schools, too
Connecticut’s education funding system is broken – with charter school students receiving on average $4,000 less in funding than their peers in district schools. And this disparity in funding hurts low-income children of color most because those are the majority of the students charters in Connecticut serve.
Posted inPolitics
After a tough term in Hartford, a spate of legislative retirements
One is 32, recently married and looking for a job that pays more than the $28,000 salary of a Connecticut state legislator. Another is 81, ready to retire from the battles in Hartford. Others are weary of having to explain a chronic fiscal crisis. For reasons personal and political, at least 20 members of the Connecticut General Assembly marked the end of their last regular session Wednesday.
Posted inEducation, Justice
Juvenile justice reform in CT: 5 things to know
A tidal wave of change is headed for the state’s juvenile justice system. Here are 5 things to know about the coming changes.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Constitutional amendment fails to make November ballot
A constitutional amendment barring the disposal of state-owned land without a public hearing and legislative approval fell short Wednesday of the margin necessary to be placed on the November ballot.
Posted inPolitics
Notifying legislators of special sessions goes electronic
Legislators would be able to be notified of special sessions via email under legislation that won final passage in the state Senate Wednesday.
Posted inEducation
The basics: Bill shifting consent standard in campus sex assaults wins final passage
Essentially, the burden shifts from the accuser having to prove an assault took place and to the accused having to explain how they knew they had permission for a sexual encounter.
Posted inNews
Budget tracker: A first look at what’s in the budget deal
Here is a rundown of what’s in the budget deal struck by the administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic legislative leaders, according to documents provided to legislators.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Overtime: General Assembly to return next week for budget vote
The leaders of the House and Senate Democratic majorities gave up Wednesday on adopting a new state budget before the legislature’s constitutional adjournment deadline of midnight, instead scheduling a special session for next week to finish its business for 2016.
Posted inEducation
Not this year: Financial aid for undocumented students dies
“Dreamers” at the Capitol Wednesday. “Dreamers” at the Capitol Wednesday. Legislation that would make undocumented students eligible to receive financial aid does not have enough votes to pass in the state House of Representatives, the bill’s sponsors say. “It doesn’t look good for that bill. There are a lot of my colleagues that are telling me, ‘Not […]
Posted inHealth, Politics
Revised physician non-compete bill wins final passage
The proposal grew out of work by the Senate’s top Democrat and Republican to address the changing health care landscape, including the trend toward doctors giving up owning their own practices to work for hospital systems or large group practices.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT’s top taxpayers took a big earnings hit last year
Connecticut’s 50 largest state income tax filers reported nearly $3 billion less in quarterly earnings this spring than they did one year ago — which resulted in a $217 million hit to the state’s coffers, the legislature’s nonpartisan fiscal staff reported Wednesday.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Opioid bill wins unanimous approval in Senate
The bill would limit initial opioid prescriptions for acute medical conditions to a seven-day supply, and aims to ensure that more first responders carry drugs that can reverse the effects of an overdose.