Washington — The food stamp program is not going away, and it probablyy won’t even change much. But you wouldn’t know it by all of the verbal and partisan hand-wringing that could be heard this week on the floor of the House. Connecticut’s lawmakers joined the clamor from other Democrats who said House Republicans were […]
Despite outcry from lawmakers, food stamp program is safe
Posted inNews
In 2nd year, health care pooling plan draws 8 participants
As a concept, the plan to allow municipalities and other employers buy insurance through the state employee health plan was the subject of intense debate, touted passionately by supporters and dire warnings from opponents. Now entering its second year, the health plan that grew out of the concept hasn’t quite lived up to the fervent […]
Posted inNews
Trying to find a new way to pay for and deliver health care
One of the patients in Doug Arnold’s new medical network received care from 99 different health care providers in the past three years, costing Medicare $375,000. And although that care might not have been optimal or cost-effective, from a financial perspective, no one in the health care system had an incentive to do things differently. […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment
CT shoreline may not be ready for another storm hit
This is the second in an ongoing series of stories that will examine environmental and climate issues affecting the Connecticut shoreline. Waterford — Brian Flaherty trudges up Waterford Beach Park on a spectacular mid-June morning, stopping at a scruffy section of the dune that separates the beach from the salt marsh behind it.
Posted inNews
A man who gave muscles to the Connecticut General Assembly — from his perch at Rutgers
Alan Rosenthal, 81, the Rutgers political scientist who died Wednesday at his home in Princeton, N.J., was hardly a familiar name in Connecticut political circles, but he influenced the dramatic remaking of the Connecticut General Assembly in 1970 from government’s poor stepchild to an equal branch of government. Connecticut was among the many states that followed […]
Posted inNews
Malloy sides with unions, vetoes bill key to Waterbury Hospital deal
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vetoed a bill Thursday that was opposed by health care unions seeking leverage in the proposed acquisition of financially struggling Waterbury Hospital by a major national for-profit company, Vanguard Health Systems of Tennessee. The veto of the bill, which would have given Vanguard the governance structure it says is necessary to […]
Posted inNews
Watchdogs criticize lack of state oversight of restraints and seclusions in schools
Children with special education needs were injured in 840 instances as they were being physically restrained or secluded during the 2011-12 school year. The numbers, from the State Department of Education, mean that a child is injured during one of every 25 incidents of emergency physical restraint or seclusion. And Connecticut’s advocates for children and those […]
Posted inPolitics
Malloy signs bill legalizing mixed-martial arts
He doesn’t like the sport, but Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is not going to block mixed-martial arts contests from being staged in Connecticut. Without comment, the governor signed a legalization bill into law Thursday. Signing the bill ends a political odyssey that had little to do with violence and everything to do with politics and […]
Posted inNews
Time for Investigation of Pyramid Scheme that Preys on Financially Vulnerable
A tough economy hurts individuals and families in many different ways. One particularly repugnant abuse of power wielded by corporations is a supposed employment opportunity that preys on people already struggling financially and desperate for relief, and lures people into a “business opportunity” with the promise of easy income. In reality this company coerces them […]
Posted inNews
Malloy joins rapid response to Milford leaflets claiming ties to Ku Klux Klan
Milford – Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman made a hastily arranged trip here Wednesday afternoon to join local officials and clergy in denouncing anonymous leafleting claiming a tie to a new group with an old name, the United Klans of America. The officials stood in the glare of the afternoon sun […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment
After outcry, renewable energy project details to be revealed
The approval in 2011 of a revamped commercial renewable energy incentive program in Connecticut was heralded by the industry here, particularly solar companies. For years they’d wrestled with unreliable funding that left them constantly unsure of whether they’d be able to proceed on projects.
Posted inNews
Malloy stands by Bridgeport superintendent
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Wednesday that despite a judge ruling that the superintendent of Bridgeport is not eligible to run the district, he supports him staying in office. “Do I think someone that someone who was superintendent of Chicago, Philadelphia, New Orleans is qualified to be a superintendent in the state of Connecticut? The […]
Posted inEducation
State to seek flexibility for rollout of teacher evaluations, Common Core
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy with his education commissioner, Stefan Pryor State officials are seeking flexibility in implementing the U.S. Department of Education’s accountability measures to avoid students being double-tested during the roll-out of the national Common Core State Standards. In announcing the move Wednesday, state officials said they will also seek flexibility on implementing new teacher […]
Posted inHealth
UConn announces first faculty appointment with Jackson Lab, a mathematician-biologist
A mathematician whose work has evolved to focus on advancing biomedical research will be the first faculty member to hold a joint appointment with the UConn Health Center and The Jackson Laboratory for Genomic Medicine, the health center announced Monday. Reinhard Laubenbacher will serve as co-director for the health center’s new Center for Quantitative Medicine […]
Posted inEducation
Judge to Brigeport superintendent: Vacate job now
A superior court judge ruled Wednesday that the superintendent of Connecticut’s largest public school system must vacate his job immediately. Brigeport Superintendent Paul Vallas had been hoping he could remain on the job while the city appealed an earlier ruling by the same judge that found he does not qualify for the job. Gov. Dannel […]