Nearly two thirds of callers who wanted to speak to a worker at the state Department of Social Services hung up before getting through, but that, too, was an improvement over previous months. In September, 64 percent of callers who wanted to reach a worker hung up first, compared to 71 percent in August and 75 percent in July.
DSS phone wait time drops (to 66 minutes)
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy, Foley on economy: some harmony amidst discord
Despite their seeming ability to disagree about almost everything, Gov. Danel P. Malloy and Tom Foley share plenty of common ground about Connecticut’s future economic development. But it’s their respective track records that lead them to butt heads most frequently.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: Common Core can be a success for our children
The Common Core Standards issue is rife with misinformation, none of which helps build a rigorous and competitive educational program that will prepare children for success in life.
Posted inPolitics
Super PAC spending on CT governor’s race exceeds $7 million
Another $1.2 million flowed into Connecticut’s deadlocked race for governor over the past 48 hours as two super PACs allied with the Democratic and Republican governors’ associations fought for superiority in a war of negative advertising. Outside politicians are joining the flow of dollars into the state, with visits next week from President Obama, Bill Clinton and New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie.
Posted inPolitics
NRA drops Greenberg’s rating from an ‘A’ to an ‘F’
WASHINGTON — Less than 24 hours after GOP congressional candidate Mark Greenberg said he favored universal FBI background checks for those seeking to purchase firearms, the National Rifle Association dropped his rating from an ‘A’ to an ‘F.” The NRA also disputed Greenberg’s contention that he didn’t fill out an NRA questionnaire on his views, saying he had done so when seeking the 5th District seat in 2012.
Posted inHealth
How prepared is CT for an Ebola outbreak?
Public health officials often say that when things are going right, their jobs are largely unnoticed. But the presence of Ebola in the U.S. has put a spotlight on public health preparedness — and on what some experts say has been a problematic reduction in steady federal funding for public health efforts.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Op-Ed: Over-use of antibiotics in agriculture must be regulated and curtailed
Efforts to improve antibiotic use in healthcare — lessening the creation of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” — cannot possibly make a dent in overall antibiotic overuse if so much is unregulated in agriculture.
Posted inNews
Op-Ed: Over-use of antibiotics in agriculture must be regulated and curtailed
Efforts to improve antibiotic use in healthcare — lessening the creation of antibiotic-resistant “superbugs” — cannot possibly make a dent in overall antibiotic overuse if so much is unregulated in agriculture.
Posted inPolitics
In 1st debate, Esty, Greenberg tangle on ethics, energy, foreign affairs
DANBURY — Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District candidates Elizabeth Esty and Mark Greenberg clashed on personal ethics, foreign affairs, energy policy and gun control Thursday during their first public forum.
Posted inPolitics
Malloy and Foley punch away, whatever the topic
Whatever the question, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Republican Tom Foley pummeled each other Thursday in a tense debate broadcast on radio and television. Invitations to tell voters about their core values, moral philosophy and personal struggles with disability prompted only brief detours, then quick pivots to practiced talking points.
Posted inPolitics
Guns a muted issue in Connecticut congressional races
While Connecticut has helped make guns a national issue, there’s been only a little talk of them in the state’s congressional elections so far. They’ve created some stir in the race for governor, however.
Posted inPolitics
White House confirms Obama to stump for Malloy in Bridgeport
Washington –The White House has confirmed that President Obama will campaign for Gov. Dannel Malloy in Bridgeport next week. “On October 15, the president will travel to Bridgeport, Connecticut for a campaign rally with Connecticut Democrats featuring Governor Dan Malloy,” a White House official said. “Additional details will be made available in the coming days.” […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
Towns plead for more aid to fix deteriorating roads and bridges
Recent increases in state funding for municipal road and bridge repair haven’t been sufficient to reverse decades of shrinking assistance, or to prevent the steady deterioration of local infrastructure, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities reported Thursday.
Posted inHealth
Obamacare worry: Unexpected tax bills for those with discounted insurance
Nearly 60,000 Connecticut residents get discounted health insurance as part of Obamacare. And officials are worried that some of them could get hit with an unexpected tax bill next year.
Posted inPolitics
Larson, Corey agree on nation’s problems, but not solutions
Democratic Rep. John Larson and his Republican challenger, Matthew Corey, have similar blue-collar backgrounds and their politics are a product of their upbringing. But that’s where similarities end between the candidates who are vying to represent the Hartford-based 1st District in Congress.