What do keno, state grants for cities and towns, and the not-for-profit public access network that covers state government have in common? More than you’d think.
Keno clings to life in strange CT legislative mixture
Posted inHealth
Bill restricting for-profit hospital conversions advances
A controversial proposal that would put a moratorium on nonprofit hospitals converting to for-profits garnered enough votes to move forward Tuesday, but several members of the legislature’s Public Health Committee said their “yes” votes shouldn’t be construed as endorsing the measure.
Posted inPolitics
DeLauro defends CT food stamp policy against GOP attacks
“First of all I say, ‘Bravo,’” Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a Democrat who represents the New Haven area, said. [Governors] “are following the law.”
Posted inHealth, Politics
Advocates concede defeat on aid-in-dying bill in 2014
The campaign for passage of an aid-in-dying law in Connecticut in 2014 ended Tuesday with a concession that the bill does not have the support in the legislature’s Public Health Committee to reach the House floor. “In an election year, in a short-session year, we were so pleased to expand the debate and to get a public hearing,” said Tim Appleton, manager of the campaign to pass the bill.
Posted inEducation
UConn has 4 percent budget shortfall; considers additional tuition increase, other cuts
The University of Connecticut is facing a $46.2 million budget deficit for the fiscal year that begins July 1 — a 4 percent shortfall in the funding needed to continue its existing programs. Officials have not ruled out tuition increases and ways to cut expenses in order to close the gap.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Op-ed: Let’s commit to ending homelessness in Connecticut in 2014
America has always had those who are more and less fortunate. But we have not always had homelessness. We don’t have to.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Op-ed: CT’s aging workforce – preparing for a big shift, talent shortages
If we don’t act now to prepare young people for these jobs, and provide more competitive skills for our older workers, we can expect critical impacts to tax revenue structure, service delivery, productivity and overall quality of life.
Posted inHealth
Access Health CT CEO taking Obamacare questions on Twitter today
Kevin Counihan, CEO of Access Health CT, will be answering questions on Twitter Tuesday from 2 to 3 p.m. It’s part of a Twitter town hall organized by Health Justice CT, which uses social media to raise awareness about racial and ethnic disparities in the state.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Op-ed: Return power and control to towns and cities
I think virtually every town/city in this country relies too heavily on grants — it’s a huge problem that contributes to our fiscal woes at all levels of government. But this is a system of our own creation that we have let fester and grow out of control. We have these unholy alliances that are […]
Posted inHealth
Obamacare Q&A: Deadline scramble, repaying subsidies and what the new plans cover
This Obamacare Q&A includes questions about what to do about that deadline if your coverage is slated to run out later this year, what the government can and can’t do to you if you don’t get insurance, what the new plans cover and the possibility that some people might have to repay some or all of the federal funds used to discount their premiums.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Op-ed: CT’s leaders need to focus on productivity
Water freezes at 32 degrees F. A physical law. Anyone wishing to ice skate has no choice but to wait until that physical law is satisfied. However, if we wish to play a game, all the “laws” or rules are man-made. We do as we like. “Baseball” exists nowhere else but in the collective mind. […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT poised to adopt $10.10 minimum wage Wednesday
With votes scheduled Wednesday in both chambers of the state legislature, Connecticut is poised to become the first state to adopt a $10.10 minimum wage, delivering on an election-year priority of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Posted inEducation
Name change for ‘special master’ may not resolve teachers’ concerns
Since the state named a “special master” in New London and Windham, there has been unrest among teachers as to what authority that person enjoys and what autonomy local officials retain.
Posted inEducation
UConn, financial aid & out-of-state students
Nearly one-quarter of students who receive financial aid from The University of Connecticut are students who grew up out of state.
Posted inHealth, Politics
CT’s Latinos face hurdles in enrolling in Obamacare
No group of people in Connecticut is more likely to be uninsured than the state’s Latinos, and Obamacare won’t change that.