Washington – Gun control advocates had big wins this week in Connecticut, Maryland and Colorado, but attempts to tighten gun laws have hit major snags in Washington. The Senate was expected to take up a package of gun-control bills next week that is much weaker than legislation approved by Connecticut and other states. For example, […]
While gun control wins in Connecticut, it flounders in Washington
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Connecticut’s request for Sandy funding pale by comparison
Washington — After Hurricane Sandy devastated their states, the governors of New York and New Jersey tapped big-name consulting firms to create voluminous, detailed requests for help from the federal government. New York state, which sought a total of $32 billion from Washington, submitted a 56-page report with the help of Price Waterhouse Coopers. It […]
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End-of-life bill dies in committee
A proposal to allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill, mentally competent patients won’t make it out of the Public Health Committee this year. Supporters said the bill had enough support to clear the committee, but it was removed from the agenda out of concern that a lengthy discussion could stymie the rest […]
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Women lawmakers moving to punish pimps
There has been a “dramatic increase” in the number of children being sold for sex in the state, the state’s child welfare agency told state legislators Friday. These 100 child “sex slaves” that have been identified in the last few years is the result of the Department of Children and Families placing an emphasis on […]
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Community providers association gets new leader
The Connecticut Community Providers Association is getting a new leader: Morna A. Murray, an attorney with experience advocating for programs at the federal level. Murray most recently served as vice president and counsel at First Focus, which advocates for children and families in federal policy and budget issues. She previously worked for Robert P. Casey, […]
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Gun restriction irks mental health advocates
Advocates for people with mental illness began this legislative session with trepidation. Would lawmakers, eager to pass a strong response to the mass shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School, adopt restrictive measures against people with mental illness? Would the new law treat people with mental illness as sources of violence, even though they’re more likely […]
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Malloy signs Newtown gun bill, calls for healing
With the parents of Sandy Hook’s young victims peering over his shoulder, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed a bipartisan gun-control bill into law at noon Thursday, just 10 hours after final passage by the General Assembly. “This is a profoundly emotional day, I think, for everyone in this room,” Malloy said. “We have come together […]
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Governor will interview finalists for state college system president
Though the Board of Regents for Higher Education soon could have sole authority to pick the next president of the merged public college system, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy still will be interviewing three finalists for the job. The governor’s spokesman, Andrew Doba, said the interviews aren’t unusual. He noted that the University of Connecticut trustees […]
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Connecticut House roll call on gun-control bill
Connecticut House of Representatives Vote On Gun-Control Bill District State Representative Party Vote 83 Abercrombie, Catherine F. D Y 8 Ackert, Tim R N 103 Adinolfi, Al R N 50 Alberts, Mike R N 99 Albis, James D Y 58 Alexander, David D Y 82 Altobello, Emil D N 14 Aman, William R Y 4 […]
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Connecticut General Assembly passes bipartisan gun bill
In emotional back-to-back debates, the Connecticut Senate and House overwhelmingly voted for one of the nation’s most comprehensive gun laws Wednesday and Thursday, a long-awaited response to one of the nation’s worst mass shootings, the Sandy Hook school massacre. The Democrat-dominated legislature passed the sweeping measure with significant Republican support, a rare bipartisan gesture on […]
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A Map: NYC Citi Bike share program up and running
By: Georgia Lobb Here’s a map of the new Citi Bike stations in NYC, which sprawl across Manhattan and into Brooklyn and Queens. The bike stations, which are represented by the blue dots on the map, were picked specifically by New Yorkers. “DOT invited New Yorkers to help shape the system, and we received tens […]
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A study: The dangers of being a vulnerable user in NYC
By: Georgia Lobb Photo courtesy of Destructiod.com This week the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care Surgery published a study that examined vulnerable roadway users in New York City between 2008-2011. The study, conducted by the NYU Langone Medical Center, surveyed over 1,400 cyclists or pedestrians who were admitted to Bellevue Hospital due to a […]
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‘Threats’ related to gun law lead legislators to contact Capitol Police
With tighter and more restrictive gun laws going into effect, as many as a dozen legislators contacted the State Capitol Police because they were concerned for their safety. Sen. Edward Meyer, D-Guilford, said he “received several threats,” but he did not want to share the specifics. Rep. Roberta Willis, D-Salisbury, said she also received several […]
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Esty gets help from senior Democrat
Washington — Just because Congress is on a two-week spring break doesn’t mean lawmakers aren’t busy pressing their agendas. Rep. Elizabeth Esty, D-5th District, held a telephonic town hall Thursday with the senior Democrat on the House Budget Committee, Rep. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, to press Democratic priorities and bash a GOP budget promoted […]
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Connecticut Senate roll call on gun-control bill
ConnecticutState Senatevote on gun-control bill District State Senator Party Vote 23 Ayala, Andres D Y 13 Bartolomeo, Danté D Y 26 Boucher, Toni R Y 5 Bye, Beth D Y 4 Cassano, Steve D Y 30 Chapin, Clark J. R N 2 Coleman, Eric D. D Y 17 Crisco, Joseph J. D Y 9 Doyle, […]