As income inequality rises, revenue declines. This is the counter-intuitive finding of states near and far from Connecticut which depend heavily on income tax. This is also why Connecticut is in the midst of another budget crisis and why more are expected.
Connecticut’s vanishing revenue
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Could Connecticut be wooed by a fascist candidate?
We can argue whether Donald Trump is a “fascist” as some people claim. For me, the important question is: Would Americans follow a fascist? Would they elect a fascist president? We can look to Connecticut history for clues, and some parallels.
Posted inEducation, Health, Justice, Money, Politics, Transportation
A minefield of concerns complicates laying off state workers
Though all indications are that many state employees will receive pink slips soon, several factors make it difficult for Connecticut to downsize its workforce. And those same factors and others make it all-but-impossible to close the major budget deficits projected for the next few years with layoffs alone.
Posted inEducation
UConn officials recommend closing Torrington campus
With state funding and the number of students headed for college shrinking, University of Connecticut officials are recommending closing the school’s Torrington campus.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT lawmakers hoping federal study will block Plum Island sale
WASHINGTON — Connecticut lawmakers are hoping a study they helped commission will stop the federal government from selling Plum Island, 840 acres of land in Long Island Sound where the federal government used to study dangerous animal diseases.
Posted inMoney, Politics
State unions step up their pushback on givebacks
Facing increased pressure at the state Capitol for givebacks from state employees, their unions are stepping up their pushback.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Ojakian on tuition hikes –What a difference a day makes
March 22, former Chief of Staff to Gov. Dannel Malloy and current Board of Regents President Mark E. Ojakian stated, “I have consistently said I am not going balance the state’s financial burden on the back of our students.” March 23, he is asking for a painful 5 percent increase in tuition costs for the 88,000 students in two and four year programs at State Universities and Community Colleges.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Secrecy Awards go to Malloy, UConn and others
In recognition of National Sunshine Week, here are the first Secrecy in Government Awards offered by the board of directors of the nonprofit Connecticut Council on Freedom of Information.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Senate Democratic leaders confident deficit-mitigation cuts will pass
Leaders of the Senate’s Democratic majority announced Thursday they believe there is enough support to pass a plan next week to close most or all of the $220 million deficit in the current state budget.
Posted inEducation
CT high court to decide case of state employee fired for smoking marijuana on job
The Connecticut Supreme Court will soon decide whether UConn was justified in firing an employee found getting high on marijuana while on the job, a case the state argues could have broad implications. The employee’s union argues the punishment was excessive.
Posted inPolitics
CT lawmakers seek more funds for gun background check system
WASHINGTON — All five members of Connecticut’s U.S. House delegation joined dozens of other lawmakers – many of them but not all fellow Democrats – to ask for more money for the federal gun purchaser background check system.
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
Nuclear power’s regulatory campaign comes to Connecticut
Evan Bayh, the former governor of a coal-burning, nuclear-free state, arrived in Hartford as the smiling face of the nuclear power industry Thursday, making a soft sell for Connecticut to consider ways to keep its Millstone station economically viable.
Posted inCities & Towns
Census: Only one Connecticut county grew in population last year
Fairfield County’s population rose 0.2 percent between July of 2014 and July of 2015, according to estimates the U.S. Census Bureau released Thursday.
Posted inHealth
State to close two centers for those with intellectual disabilities
State officials Thursday announced plans to close by June 30 two state-run facilities that provide residential care for people with intellectual or developmental disabilities. The move was pegged as a “change in strategic direction” as the state looks to outsource those services to private providers to save money.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Battle over CT’s credit card heats up as Malloy raises limit again
The partisan debate over Connecticut’s credit card intensified Thursday as Gov. Dannel P. Malloy boosted state government’s self-imposed borrowing limit by $200 million.