“When I had cancer, I got cards and flowers,” Karen Kangas’ sign reads. “When I was diagnosed with bipolar disorder, I got no cards and a pink slip.” It’s part of an exhibit aimed at reframing the stigma people with mental illness face as discrimination.
In mental illness, is ‘stigma’ the wrong word? How about ‘discrimination?’
Posted inNews
Stamford’s failed attempt at energy innovation cost taxpayers tens of millions
This is the second of two parts examining the Stamford sewage treatment plant’s long history of problems and their causes, the financial implications for local residents and environmental consequences for the entire state. Part I is available here. Stamford — On a Wednesday evening in December, an overwhelmingly unpleasant smell wafted over the parking lot […]
Posted inNews
Lots of ideas, but where’s the $$$?
A breakdown of the $1.2 billion Special Transportation Fund — which is sometimes used for things other than transportation. Connecticut’s lawmakers have a lot of ideas on how to improve transportation in the state. And I mean a LOT of ideas. They were talked about for nearly six hours at a meeting and public hearing […]
Posted inHealth
Changes are coming, DSS chief tells panel
The new technology system the Department of Social Services is installing will have web services, “edocuments” and “telephony” — an interactive voice response service through the phone. DSS clients will be able to do online applications and prescreen themselves. In addition, the new system will do away with the need for one caseworker to handle […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Violent video games targeted by legislators
Three bills have been filed by state legislators seeking to limit the role violent video games have on children. Sen. Toni Harp, D-New Haven, is proposing that arcades and other for-profit businesses prohibit minors from using “violent point-and-shoot video” games. Rep. DebraLee Hovey, whose district includes Newtown, is proposing a new 10 percent sales tax […]
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Courtney chides Spielberg for Connecticut slander
Like many Connecticut moviegoers, at least those who are politically minded, U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, was surprised to see two members of the state’s House delegation depicted as voting to uphold slavery in Steven Spielberg’s well-received movie, “Lincoln.” “I could not believe my own eyes and ears,” Courtney wrote in a letter to Spielberg. […]
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Transit improvement ideas way outnumber means of paying for them
In a six-hour session Monday, Connecticut lawmakers discussed a lot of good ideas on how to improve transportation in the state; but, as is often the case lately, money is an issue.Rant & Rail, the Mirror’s transportation blog by Neena Satija, has some thoughts on the problem.
Posted inNews
One year later, will the governor’s education reform priorities hold?
Norwalk — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is asking legislators to fully fund one of his major education reform initiatives: ensuring that the state intervenes in more low-achieving Connecticut schools next year. “We are going to move forward,” the Democratic governor said during a tour of Richard Briggs Alternative High School. It is one of many schools […]
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Connecticut gun makers quietly fighting gun control
Washington — While they’re keeping a low profile, representatives of Connecticut’s firearms industry are in the thick of the national gun control fight. After the shooting deaths of 20 young children and six educators in Newtown in December, Connecticut’s gun makers must weigh the damage that opposing gun control would have on public opinion against […]
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Amazon will collect sales tax, open distribution center
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced a new agreement Monday that will result in Amazon.com collecting the state sales tax on Connecticut purchases. And the online retailing giant, which now can resume working with thousands of small Connecticut companies to drive business to its website, also will open a $50 million distribution center in the next […]
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Striving for innovation, spending millions, Stamford leaders ignored major problems
This is the first of two parts examining the Stamford sewage treatment plant’s long history of problems, the financial implications for local residents and environmental consequences for the entire state. Part two appears here. Stamford — In the summer of 2010, residents in the Shippan neighborhood began complaining of strong, unpleasant smells wafting through their […]
Posted inEducation
Malloy backs an Office of Early Childhood
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has warmed to the idea of creating a new state agency for early childhood that will be dedicated to coordinating the hodge-podge of childcare programs in the state. Two years ago, during his first weeks on the job, he opposed creating such an office while he was proposing consolidating the number […]
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Public push for assisted suicide bill begins Tuesday at the L.O.B.
Advocates for a controversial bill that would allow assisted suicide for the terminally ill in Connecticut will hold a press conference on Tuesday afternoon at the Legislative Office Building. Organized by the non-profit group Compassion & Choices, the press conference at 1 p.m. in Room 2B will feature patients, clergy members, doctors and others who […]
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Correction commissioner to retire
Leo C. Arnone is calling it quits in April after working nearly four decades in Connecticut’s prisons and criminal justice system, rising through the ranks from correctional officer to a commissioner appointed by a Republican governor, M. Jodi Rell, and reappointed by her Democratic successor, Dannel P. Malloy. “I have served this great state for […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Money, Politics
Former CT DEP chief may take over at EPA
Connecticut’s former top environmental official — Gina McCarthy — is reported to be leading the short list to take over the top slot at the Environmental Protection Agency. McCarthy currently runs the air division there as the assistant administrator for the Office of Air and Radiation. Reuters is reporting that President Obama is leaning toward […]