There has been no substantive conversation about K-12 education in the Democratic debates, town hall meetings, or candidate rallies. Perhaps that’s because Democrats want to walk away from the contentious education policies and practices of the Obama administration and focus, instead, on the many other noteworthy accomplishments of Barack Obama’s presidency. Whatever the back story, we voters deserve to know what the candidates will do as President about the education of our children. What follows are key topics about K-12 education and what the candidates have said about them so far.
Examining Clinton and Sanders on K-12 education
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Politics
Nuclear power’s future in Connecticut is on the table
The economic viability of the Millstone nuclear station in Waterford, the largest power plant in New England and a crucial factor in Connecticut’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gases, is about to become a major issue in Hartford.
Posted inEducation, Money
Taxing Yale: An attack or fair game?
While officials at Yale University call legislation that would implement a new tax on the growth of its endowment an “attack on independent higher education,” legislative heavyweights backing the bill say its just forcing the Ivy League school to be a good neighbor.
Posted inNews
House approves Esty bill encouraging women entrepreneurs
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday approved a bill sponsored by Rep. Elizabeth Esty to encourage women entrepreneurs in the science, engineering, technology and math fields.
Posted inNews
U.S. House approves Coltsville National Park fix
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House of Representatives voted on Tuesday to provide a fix to the legislation establishing the Coltsville National Historical Park in Hartford.
Posted inEducation, Money
Senate leader adds to calls for givebacks from state employees
The leader of the state Senate has joined the growing chorus of top state leaders calling for major givebacks from state employees to help close the state’s looming budget shortfalls.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics, Transportation
Struggle to balance current budget could help with future deficits
While legislators and Gov. Dannel P. Malloy scramble to close yet another hole in the current state budget, the exercise could help them solve a much larger problem. Depending on how they solve this fiscal year’s $220 million deficit — a task lawmakers have pledged to complete Tuesday — the $900 million hole built into 2016-17 finances could be whittled down by nearly one-quarter.
Posted inPolitics
Staff bolts again, but August Wolf says he’s still running
The troubled U.S. Senate campaign of Republican August Wolf is without a campaign manager for the second time in two months, but the Stamford businessman said Tuesday he is staying in the race and will announce a new team next week.
Posted inEducation
Session Notes: State college system freezes hiring
The president of the state’s largest public college system announced a hiring freeze Tuesday to cope with mid-year budget cuts to the Connecticut State Colleges & Universities system as the state closes its budget shortfalls.
Posted inHealth
Session Notes: Medical marijuana for minors bill advances
The Public Health Committee voted 20 to 7 Monday to move forward a proposal that would allow minors with certain medical conditions to use medical marijuana.
Posted inPolitics
Surprise winner for top line in CT Democratic primary
Cue the music. Rocky wins again. Roque “Rocky” De La Fuente, a petitioning candidate for the Democratic presidential nomination, won the top ballot line Tuesday for Connecticut’s presidential primary. Ted Cruz won the top line in the GOP primary.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
Is Uber really a bargain for Connecticut riders?
In the almost two years since Uber rolled into Connecticut, the state’s car/taxi service business has been rocked to its core. But is Uber competing on the same level as taxis and car service companies? Of course not, which is why it’s so successful. I spoke with Uber’s Connecticut Manager Matt Powers and Drivers Unlimited (a Darien car and limo company) owner Randy Klein to try to get an objective comparison of the services. (Full disclosure: I have been a customer of both firms.)
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Examining the Republican candidates on education
There has been no substantive conversation about K-12 education in the Republican debates, town hall meetings, or candidate rallies. Attention has been on other issues, but education is crucial both for the individual future of each of our children and for the future of our nation. We voters deserve to know what the candidates would do as President about K-12 education. What follows are key topics about K-12 education and what the candidates have said about them so far.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Estate tax measure may preview 2017 state tax debate
The arguments surrounding a bill to eliminate Connecticut’s estate tax — a bill not expected to advance this year – might offer a preview of the battle some anticipate next year over the fairness of the state’s tax system.
Posted inPolitics
State Rep. Carter ‘seriously considering’ Blumenthal challenge
WASHINGTON — State Representative Dan Carter, a Republican from Bethel, is weighing a run against Sen. Richard Blumenthal. “I am seriously considering it,” Carter said. “So much so that I withdrew all my filings to run for re-election in the state assembly.”