New Haven — Two-hundred eight-seven single adults. Forty-two families, which breaks down to 64 adults and 79 children. All those people slept in beds that didn’t belong to them, either in shelters or in transitional housing, on a single frigid evening this week.
430 homeless people take shelter
Posted inPolitics
Federal judge upholds Sandy Hook gun law
A federal judge in Hartford on Thursday dismissed a constitutional challenge to the sweeping gun-control legislation passed in Connecticut after the Sandy Hook School massacre. “The court concludes that the legislation is constitutional,” wrote Senior U.S. District Judge Alfred V. Covello.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy learns from Rowland’s slip on 1998 CT tax rebate
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy apparently has learned from former Gov. John G. Rowland’s mistake.
By proposing to rebate sales and gasoline taxes – instead of income taxes – Malloy would spare nearly all recipients from having to share about 30 percent of their bonus with the federal government. Rowland made that mistake in 1998 when he and the General Assembly launched the first tax rebate program in state history.
Posted inNews
Judge, 90: ‘I Was Not Asleep’
New Haven — In a rare self-defense from the bench, a nonagenarian federal judge said she was merely “bored,” not catching a few winks, while presiding over a New Haven trial involving the largest federal drug sweep in state history. Senior Judge Ellen Bree Burns made that statement before the fourth day of proceedings inside […]
Posted inPolitics
CT Democrats plan coronation, not convention
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has been insisting he has yet to decide if he is running for re-election, an assertion that prompts eye-rolling among the Capitol press. On Thursday, his own party made clear they are not buying the indecision claim, either. Connecticut Democrats announced that their nominating convention will be May 16, a Friday […]
Posted inEducation, Politics
After UConn sexual assault complaint, CT women lawmakers call for change
The ripples continue from complaints against the state’s flagship university for how it handled reports from students of sexual assault. The 54 women in the General Assembly Thursday released a list of changes to state law they are seeking in the legislative session that begins next week.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy promises $155 million in tax relief
Derby – Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Thursday he would use the $506 million projected surplus to beef up the state’s fiscal reserves, pay down pension obligations and provide modest tax relief.
Malloy, a first-term Democrat facing re-election this year, chose a blue-collar, Naugatuck Valley community to announce that if legislators approve his plan, the state would be sending out checks of $55 to single filers and $110 to couples.
Posted inHealth
Anthem making progress, but some customers still waiting
After nearly a month of customer frustration and scrutiny from state regulators, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield has made progress in getting health care coverage set up for its January customers, according to state officials.
Posted inPolitics
Foley sets his sights on November
Republican Tom Foley entered the race for governor Wednesday with an appeal to urban voters and public school teachers, a general-election strategy that ignores his GOP rivals and anticipates a November rematch with Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Posted inEducation
Changes to CT teacher evaluations depend on federal approval
After backlash from teachers throughout Connecticut, state officials and education leaders Wednesday voted to scale back the sweeping changes approved less than two years ago on how every teacher must be evaluated.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT House delegation unanimous against farm bill
Washington — Connecticut’s House members, all Democrats, voted unanimously Wednesday against a farm bill that would spend nearly $1 trillion on farm programs over the next five years — but would cut food stamps.
Posted inEducation
House GOP, teachers’ union want to revisit Common Core
With the 2014 General Assembly session one week away, House Republican lawmakers Wednesday called for a public review of the controversial Common Core education standards.
Posted inHealth
Free dental clinic coming to Hartford after all
Although it seemed unlikely months ago, the Connecticut Mission of Mercy free dental clinic is coming to Hartford this spring, with plans to provide free care to more than 2,200 people.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Cutting Connecticut’s trees sparks disagreement
Updated: 5:00 p.m. The management of Connecticut’s trees – what, where and how much to cut – has become contentious, pitting those who are most concerned about keeping the lights on against those who believe we are verging on literal overkill in taking down trees.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Connecticut advocates blast farm bill’s food stamp cuts
Washington — Most lawmakers are calling it a good deal, but Connecticut anti-hunger advocates say a new massive farm bill’s cuts to food stamps will leave thousands in the state hungry.