A Superior Court judge was disinclined Thursday to resolve whether federal law preempts state authorities from investigating if the Democratic Party illegally supported the re-election of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy with contributions from state contractors. The party wants him to halt the investigation with a ruling about jurisdiction.
No resolution over SEEC’s authority in Malloy case
Posted inHealth
Senate tackles mental health care reform
WASHINGTON — A Senate panel took up the issue of mental health care Thursday, discussing legislation promoted by Sen. Chris Murphy to overhaul the system, an unusual move since Congress hasn’t tackled comprehensive reform in decades.
Posted inPolitics
With eye on ’16, GOP hits Malloy in municipal races
In mailings coordinated by the state Republican Party and in campaign materials independently crafted by GOP candidates, voters are being urged to express their disapproval at the polls next week of an unpopular Democrat not on any ballot, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy. Call it the soft opening of the 2016 campaign.
Posted inCT Viewpoints, Talking Transportation
Traveling by tube (not just in London)
Will the train of the future be a high-speed tube, not a railroad? That’s inventor and entrepreneur Elon Musk’s and others’ vision. The concept sounds simple: move passengers in a sealed tube through a series of giant pipes propelled by air pressure at speeds up to 700+ mph. That would mean a trip from New York to Washington, D.C. would take 20 minutes.
Posted inNews
Malloy administration settles with Yelmini over dismissal
The administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy reached a settlement Wednesday evening with Linda Yelmini, the chief labor relations lawyer dismissed a year ago in what the administration termed a layoff and Yelmini called a firing without cause. The agreement is worth $325,000, according to the administration.
Posted inPolitics
CT senators introduce bill to close ‘loophole’ in checks of gun buyers
WASHINGTON – Joined by several of their Democratic colleagues, Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy on Wednesday fulfilled a promise to introduce a bill aimed at closing a “loophole” in federal gun laws that allows a gun sale to proceed if an FBI background check is not completed in 72 hours.
Posted inEducation
UConn again looking to tuition increases to fill budget gap
The University of Connecticut will consider closing up to one-third of its $40.2 million budget shortfall by boosting how much it costs students to attend the public university.
Posted inMoney
Malloy calls for big change in pension financing, modest business tax cuts
EAST HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy outlined Wednesday a sweeping plan to overhaul state government’s pension system, pushing some costs off for a decade and a half to control spiking costs that he argued could drive up taxes and drain vital programs. He also proposed modest cuts in business taxes and a cut of 500 state workers.
Posted inNews
Pratt & Whitney could be big winner – or loser – in new bomber contract
WASHINGTON — Pratt & Whitney could be a big winner, or a big loser, in the Pentagon’s decision to award a multi-billion contract to Northrop Grumman to manufacture the nation’s next generation U.S. warplane , the Long-Range Strike Bomber. The Air Force says the identity of subcontractors on the plane must be kept secret for national security reasons.
Posted inHealth
Obamacare Q&A: Signups start next week
Sunday marks the start of the third open enrollment period for health insurance under the federal health law. That means the nearly 170,000 Connecticut residents who buy their own health insurance will have a chance to shop for new plans — and many will need to take action to keep the coverage they have. Here’s what you need to know.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Superintendents’ group seeks a radical overhaul of state testing
Now that President Obama has called for limits on testing of schoolchildren, the Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents hopes that this increased attention will result in an opportunity to consider the radical overhaul of state testing for which CAPSS has advocated for four years.
Posted inEducation
CT’s report card: Achievement gap shrinks but for wrong reason
A national test shows the achievement gaps between minority students and their classmates in math and reading are shrinking, but it’s largely because higher-achieving students scored lower on this year’s test. Overall, however, Connecticut still has among the nation’s best scores.
Posted inPolitics
Malloy helps advocates craft message on gun control
WASHINGTON — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy received a standing ovation from gun safety advocates Tuesday for an impassioned speech on the need for a new push to curb gun violence.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Bipartisan budget talks place pressure on GOP to find solutions
The most vocal critics of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s handling of the state finances, Republican legislative leaders, will find things harder this month as they shift from commenting on the deficit-plagued budget to balancing it. Sen. Len Fasano and Rep. Themis Klarides will find it particularly difficult to both oppose tax hikes and shield hospitals and social services from cuts if the leaders try to stabilize finances long-term.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Stalking the yellow-rumped warbler
The National Audubon Society, among others, has reported that some common bird populations are down by more than 50 to 80 percent from their numbers in the 1960s. It is hard to appreciate things we don’t see. Warblers can cope with a harsh winter, but one wonders if they will survive us.