Attorney General George Jepsen, a former union lawyer and Democratic state chairman, said Thursday he will ask the U.S. Supreme Court to overturn a union victory that came at the expense of an old Republican nemesis, former Gov. John G. Rowland.
Jepsen to appeal rebuke of Rowland in labor case to U.S. Supreme Court
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UConn analysis: Gun laws don’t drive away firearms makers
The efforts of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the legislature to tighten gun restrictions elicited threats from gun and ammunition manufacturers to leave the Nutmeg State for more firearms-friendly states. But an analysis unveiled Thursday in the University of Connecticut’s quarterly economic journal found no connection nationally between those restrictions and business migration. “The key […]
Posted inEducation
Following complaint, Bridgeport superintendent promises to implement school panels
Bridgeport Superintendent Paul Vallas has signed a resolution with the local teachers’ union for the “successful implementation” of the school panels mandated by state law aimed at increasing teacher and parental involvement in the lowest-performing schools. The resolution follows Vallas and Gary Peluchette, the president of the Bridgeport Education Association, meeting in Hartford with the state’s […]
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We need the Office of Early Childhood
Connecticut has long focused on decreasing the achievement gap in K-12 settings. However, families, child care providers and early childhood advocates know too well that such initiatives are insufficient without a comprehensive, streamlined early childhood system. And yet, despite strong bipartisan support, Connecticut’s General Assembly failed to vote on a bill that would have created […]
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State education board to review Achievement First’s discipline policies
The State Board of Education plans to review the suspension and discipline policies of two charter schools run by Acheivement First — which manages the majority of charters in the state — and decide this month whether to renew the contract for the schools in Hartford. This follows disclosure that the discipline procedures Achievement First […]
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Judge hits first defendant in campaign corruption case with prison sentence
New Haven — It was only a phone call. But by dialing a politically connected union buddy on Nov. 2, 2011, David Moffa initiated a conspiracy that would derail a congressional campaign, taint reputations at the State Capitol and produce eight convictions. Moffa learned Wednesday the steep price of that call: a $5,000 fine and two-year […]
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Truckers say state will feel the pain of third successive diesel tax hike
Connecticut motorists might think they have it bad on July 1 when state fuel taxes jump nearly 4 cents per gallon. But the state’s trucking industry is bracing for a fuel tax hike of that size – for the third year in a row. The state Department of Revenue Services announced Wednesday that the diesel […]
Posted inPolitics
Sandy Hook families get sympathy, but few promises of support
Washington — In Washington to prod Congress to act on gun control as the six-month anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School tragedy nears, family members and friends of the victims found sympathetic ears. “My heart goes out to them,” said House Majority Leader Eric Cantor, R-Va. Cantor, House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, and other […]
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Pelletier announces key support for AFL-CIO election
Lori Pelletier rolled out some big guns Wednesday in her candidacy to succeed John W. Olsen as the head of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. She announced endorsements by the heads of the two largest AFL-CIO affiliates, Sal Luciano of the 32,000-member Council 4 and Melodie Peters of the 28,000-member AFT Connecticut. Pelletier is now secretary-treasurer of […]
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GOP claims victory in special House election
Republican Sam Belsito of Tolland, a town council member and clothing-store owner, won a special election Tuesday night to fill the vacancy in the 53rd House District of Ashford, Tolland and Willington. The win over Democrat Anthony J. Horn of Ashford in the 53rd House District gives the GOP minority its 53rd seat, the most […]
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Senate begins debate on immigration bill
Washington –- A wide-ranging and ambitious immigration bill that would provide 11 million undocumented people with legal status easily overcame its first hurdle Tuesday. The Senate voted 82-15 to begin debate on the bill. Connecticut’s two senators, Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, both Democrats, were in the majority that voted to move the bill forward. […]
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Olsen to step down as AFL-CIO president
John W. Olsen, the tough-talking plumber from upscale Greenwich who became the face and voice of organized labor in Connecticut, is retiring in September after a quarter-century as president of the state AFL-CIO. Olsen is leaving the labor federation as it downsizes, retrenches and focuses on year-round lobbying at the State Capitol and political outreach, […]
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Connecticut praised at Senate hearing for fighting sex trafficking
Washington –- With members of Congress worried that states have been lax in reporting and addressing the problem of children being sold for sex, Connecticut was pointed to at a Senate hearing Tuesday as a potential model. “You all in Connecticut seem to have figured out how to put together a comprehensive strategy,” Sen. Ron […]
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Newtown families return to Capitol Hill six months after tragedy
Washington — Having brushed aside efforts to strengthen the nation’s gun laws, Congress has turned its attention toward other issues, including immigration reform and alleged abuses by the IRS and National Security Administration. But for the families affected by the Dec. 14 shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School and their neighbors, there is no moving on. […]
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Special election today in Ashford, Tolland, Willington to fill House seat
Voters go the polls today in the 53rd House District of Ashford, Tolland and Willington to fill the seat left by the resignation of Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, D-Tolland, who took a post with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. On the ballot are Democrat Anthony J. Horn of Ashford and Republican Sam Belsito of Tolland. The GOP hopes […]