September marked 50 years since the terrorist firebombing of a Birmingham church killed four girls. Summer saw the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg and 50th anniversary of the March on Washington. November marks 75 years since Kristallnacht and 50 since President Kennedy’s assassination; December, 100 years of the Federal Reserve. Studying history, we can recognize context, sharpen thinking and learn humility. We can inspire and caution young people. History can contribute to citizenship, to reading and writing skills.
History, civics and balancing ‘STEM’
Posted inNews
Expanding natural gas offers consumers a stable choice, but action is needed
Helping homeowners, businesses and municipal organizations convert to natural gas is both economically viable and environmentally effective. It’s the right thing to do for our state. Who would argue against an effort that supports stable pricing, environmental progress and energy independence? When Governor Malloy delivered his comprehensive energy strategy for our state, one of the […]
Posted inNews
Trumka honors Olsen, recalls when a coal strike came to Greenwich
Hartford – Richard L. Trumka, once a coal miner and now the nation’s top labor leader, joined the governor Friday to promote a jobs program for veterans, but the real reason for the visit to Connecticut was to reminisce with a recently retired friend, John W. Olsen, about the Great Greenwich Coal Strike of 1989. […]
Posted inNews
Connecticut finances stay modestly in the black
The outlook for the state’s finances remains “generally positive” one-third of the way into the new fiscal year, Comptroller Kevin P. Lembo reported Friday. In his latest monthly budget forecast, Connecticut’s chief fiscal watchdog projected a modest, $11.2 million surplus for the fiscal year that ends next June 30. That represents just 1/15th of 1 […]
Posted inNews
CT exchange’s first month: 7,615 people enrolled, 53 percent in private coverage
In its first month, Access Health CT, the state’s health insurance exchange, enrolled 7,615 people in health care coverage, according to figures released Friday. Of those, 53 percent — 4,065 — have signed up for private insurance plans. The other 47 percent are signed up for Medicaid. In addition, 55 small businesses have signed up […]
Posted inEducation
UConn students file federal lawsuit over university’s handling of sexual assaults
Four students from the University of Connecticut today filed a federal sex discrimination lawsuit in Hartford against the university for how it handled complaints of their rapes and sexual assaults both on campus and while one student studied abroad.
Posted inNews
DSS clients could get wrongly dropped from Medicaid, food stamps, advocates warn
On the first day of October, Abigail Egan, Plymouth’s human services director, got 40 phone calls from people who had been dropped from state-administered social service programs. She’s bracing for the same thing Friday. Egan and legal aid attorneys worry that many state residents could wrongly lose Medicaid, food stamps and other benefits at the […]
Posted inNews
Wall Street generous to CT lawmakers’ campaigns
Washington – Wall Street has stepped up its contributions to most politicians, including those in Connecticut’s congressional delegation. Although Washington and the financial industry have always had a close relationship, political contributions from the securities and investment sector have increased over the past decade to the point that they are one of the top five […]
Posted inNews
Bridgeport parents ask state to investigate district’s handling of special education
A group of Bridgeport parents has filed a complaint with the state about the district’s “systemic failure” in educating students with disabilities. “In sum, [Bridgeport] failed to meet their obligation,” reads the 11-page complaint filed late last week with the State Department of Education. The complaint highlights the stories of six students and their parents, […]
Posted inNews
Congress considers permanent solution to Medicare doctor pay
Washington – A nightmare Connecticut doctors fear this time of year may soon be banished by Congress. It has nothing to do with Halloween, and everything to do with the “sustainable growth rate,” a formula approved by Congress in 1997 that was designed to curtail Medicare spending by cutting physician payments if the program’s costs […]
Posted inNews
Connecticut’s cash flow is better after $900 million loan
The state no longer needs the emergency credit line set up last winter to ensure it can pay its bills on time. But whether that means Connecticut’s finances are any better off was a matter of debate Thursday at the Capitol. One of the main reasons the state’s coffers are flush with cash is because […]
Posted inEducation
Rally backs 7 UConn students who filed sexual assault complaint
Storrs — Just seven students have made a formal complaint against how the University of Connecticut responds to reports of sexual violence, but the number of speakers with their own stories to tell Wednesday appeared to indicate the problem is more widespread.
Posted inHealth
Medicare Part B premiums remaining level for 2014
Monthly premiums for Medicare Part B will remain stable in 2014 at $104.90 for most beneficiaries, the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced this week. The premiums paid Medicare recipients with higher incomes — less than 5 percent of the beneficiaries — will also remain level in 2014.
Posted inHealth, Politics
Sebelius apologizes for Obamacare technical problems
Washington — U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius apologized for the technical disasters plaguing the rollout of major provisions of the health reform law during several hours of questioning by members of a congressional panel Wednesday.
Posted inPolitics
CT GOP, Democrats joust over Malloy’s fundraising
The Connecticut Republican Party filed a complaint Wednesday accusing Gov. Dannel P. Malloy of illegally soliciting a state contractor for a campaign contribution to the state Democratic Party while on a fundraising trip to California a week ago. But the GOP offered no evidence that the contractor made a contribution, much less that Malloy violated […]