Washington — As Congress begins a historic debate on immigration, Connecticut advocates are trying to determine how it will affect 120,000 or more undocumented workers in the state. Congress’ decision to move on a comprehensive bill will test the skills of the new Connecticut Immigrant Rights Alliance, a coalition of about 15 groups formed in February. Yanil […]
Connecticut advocates looking to Congress for immigration reform
Posted inNews
Special election set for Hurlburt’s seat
There will be no rest for the weary on the Democratic and Republican caucus staffs in the state House of Representatives: A special election is likely on June 11, just six days after the annual session adjourns at midnight on June 5. As expected, Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, D-Tolland, handed in a resignation letter to the […]
Posted inNews
Our thoughts and prayers are with those in Boston
A projection on the side of the Brooklyn Academy of Music yesterday night. I’d like to divert slightly from our normal transportation topics and highlight some of the thoughtful commentary about running, marathons, and safety that has been published in the last 24 hours or so. I’ve also linked to some powerful accounts of what […]
Posted inNews
State businesses wary of Pentagon budget cuts
Washington — Although the Pentagon awarded a record $12.5 billion in contracts to Connecticut defense companies in 2011, a series of cuts to the defense budget are beginning to worry smaller companies who depend on making money from the military. “It’s hitting our bottom line,” said Kim Nelson, president of Cabrera Services in East Hartford. Her company cleans up […]
Posted inNews
New tick-borne disease emerging in southern Connecticut
Yale researchers have discovered a tick-borne illness so new to people in the United States that it doesn’t have a common name.The new bacterial infection is spread by the same deer tick that causes Lyme disease and causes a recurring fever, muscle aches, fatigue and, sometimes, a rash and neurological problems. Using blood tests, researchers […]
Posted inNews
As Senate moves toward gun control vote, NRA tries to weaken bill
Washington — Few times in the Senate’s recent history has the outcome of a bill been so up in the air as the proposed gun control legislation this week. The number of senators who may vote for one measure or another is unknown. The shape of a final bill is unknown. And as of Monday, […]
Posted inNews
New members to be named to education board
The board charged with leading the governor’s statewide education reforms has five vacant seats out of 11, which leaves them without its chairman and vice chairwoman. The vacancies also leave the State Board of Education with the minimum needed to convene a meeting or vote on anything. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy — who nominates all […]
Posted inNews
As Senate moves toward gun control vote, NRA tries to weaken bill
Washington –– Few times in the Senate’s recent history has the outcome of a bill been so up in the air as the proposed gun control legislation this week. The number of senators who may vote for one measure or another is unknown. The shape of a final bill is unknown. And as of Monday, the […]
Posted inNews
Bill would raise nursing home awareness of patients’ fear of retaliation
It’s often just a little gesture — like an aide delivering a meal tray an hour late, or forgetting to recharge an electric wheelchair. But for someone living in a nursing home who may have complained about the aide in the past, these actions can feel like retaliation. Retaliation can take the form of a […]
Posted inNews
“I see life here — I see life is going on”
NEWTOWN – Four months after tragedy struck here, what was once the center of town is now a ghost town. The quaint little downtown-like area of Sandy Hook Village, with its once-bustling businesses and brook flowing through, is located just a mile down the road from what was once Sandy Hook Elementary School. “I’ve had […]
Posted inHealth
Connecticut Health Foundation to shift focus
The Connecticut Health Foundation announced Monday that it’s shifting its strategy to focus on health equity, with emphasis on making sure that residents get enrolled in affordable health insurance plans, understand how to navigate the health care system and receive affordable, comprehensive care. “Right now there are too many barriers to better health for too […]
Posted inNews
Connecticut seeks to improve safety for vulnerable users
By: Georgia Lobb Photo courtesy of WalkSteps.org We wrote about the deadliest roads in Connecticut recently, where Fairfield County topped the list of the deadliest counties for pedestrians, weighing in at 23 total fatalities between 2009-2011. (See related: Vulnerable Users in NYC) Despite the discouraging statistics, progress might be on the horizon for pedestrians and […]
Posted inNews
Rep. Hurlburt to resign, accept federal farm post
State Rep. Bryan Hurlburt, D-Tolland, intends to resign from the General Assembly this week and accept a post as the executive director of the federal Farm Service Agency’ office in Connecticut. On the recommendation of a screening committee, Hurlburt was nominated by Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy and U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney. A special […]