Connecticut’s massive long-term debt, deep pockets of poverty and more than 20 years of stagnant job growth threaten to sink the state’s economy for decades unless major reforms are enacted, according to a report Wednesday from a national fiscal responsibility group and the University of Connecticut’s economic think-tank. Comeback America Initiative founder David M. Walker […]
Report: State economy headed for crisis
Posted inNews
‘The single greatest preventable cause of mental illness’
Children often get referred to Marcy Kane’s mental health agency because of behavior: They’re not listening, they’re failing in school, they’ve kicked other kids or are having headaches and stomach aches. Sometimes the symptoms suggest anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But often, the root cause is something else: sexual abuse, domestic violence, the loss […]
Posted inNews
“The single greatest preventable cause of mental illness”
Children often get referred to Marcy Kane’s mental health agency because of behavior: They’re not listening, they’re failing in school, they’ve kicked other kids or are having headaches and stomach aches. Sometimes the symptoms suggest anxiety or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. But often, the root cause is something else: sexual abuse, domestic violence, the loss […]
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut reaction swift to U.S. Senate failure on gun control
Connecticut politicians reacted strong to the failure by the U.S. Senate to pass even a watered-down effort to expand federal background checks for gun purchases in response to the Newtown school massacre. House Minority Leader Lawrence F. Cafero Jr., R-Norwalk, used just three words to describe his reaction: “Disappointment. Colossal disappointment.” Cafero, who found himself […]
Posted inNews
New Rides for Ridgefield program seeks to improve quality of life for senior citizens
By: Georgia Lobb Earlier this week, we posted about about how Connecticut seeks to improve safety for vulnerable users. We mentioned a new program called Rides for Ridgefield, which is an organization that is hoping to improve the quality of life in Ridgefield, CT, by offering a variety of option for senior citizens who can’t […]
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Panel proposes borrowing to avoid tax on power plants
A key legislative panel adopted plans Tuesday to end a controversial tax on power plants this summer — but the lawmakers would finance it with borrowing and by delaying other debt costs that would be paid off after the November 2014 elections. Majority Democrats on the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee defended the borrowing, arguing […]
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Gun control bill stalls as supporters seek votes
Washington – Proposed gun legislation in the Senate stalled Tuesday as its supporters scrambled to reach a 60-vote majority needed for consideration of amendments to the bill. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., hoped to hold a vote Tuesday on a compromise measure that would expand FBI background checks on potential gun buyers, but exempt people-to-people […]
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Connecticut advocates looking to Congress for immigration reform
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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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 […]
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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, […]
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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 […]