Early this year, Connecticut became one of the first states to adopt a federal program that helps law enforcement agents deport illegal immigrants more easily. But when the state legislature approved a new measure prohibiting racial profiling by police departments, that inadvertently set up a clash with the federal program. The federal measure, Secure Communities, […]
New racial profiling measure could clash with U.S. program
Posted inEducation
School segregation by the numbers
Of the 1,271 schools public schools in Connecticut, 38 of those schools lack diversity and do not mirror their districts’ overall student demographics. Each year the State Department of Education informs several districts that they are violating the law by having schools with demographics far less diverse than their district. This year six districts were cited: […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Should unused sick time = cash?
Should employees who don’t use all their sick days get paid for them when they leave a job? The board designing Connecticut’s health insurance exchange grappled with that and other employee benefits questions Thursday. The board is charged with creating and overseeing a marketplace for selling insurance to individuals and small businesses as part of […]
Posted inEducation
On state intervention in the worst schools…
State Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor on Thursday told state board members that the state will onlyintervene in “a small amount” of schools this upcoming school year. The education bill that was signed into law earlier this week gives the commissioner the authority to intervene in up to 25 school over the next three years. However, […]
Posted inNews
The fed who got Rowland gives up on Congress
Farmington — Mike Clark, the retired FBI agent who led the corruption investigation of former Gov. John Rowland, ended a campaign for Rowland’s old congressional seat Wednesday, concluding he had neither the money nor delegate support to wage a primary. His withdrawal two days before the GOP convention narrows the field to four, including an […]
Posted inNews
Malloy backs saving jobs bill killed in House-Senate fight
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is backing an effort to resurrect the bipartisan jobs bill that was killed in a game of political chicken by House and Senate Democratic leaders a week ago on the last day of the annual legislative session. “I have expressed my support for that in personal conversations with a number of […]
Posted inNews
Educators worry about shakeup of federal loan program
Washington — The University of Connecticut and colleges across the nation are concerned about the Obama administration’s plans to overhaul a loan program for the poorest students. As Congress fights over how to avoid an interest rate increase on the popular Stafford loans, college administrators are focusing on plans for the Perkins loan program. Stafford […]
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut lawmakers lose battle over domestic violence bill
The House of Representatives voted 222-205 to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act Wednesday without a single vote from the Connecticut delegation. That all-Democratic delegation prefers a bill the Senate approved last month that would extend protections to the gay and transgender communities. The Senate bill would also provide temporary visas to illegal immigrants who […]
Posted inEducation, Health
Feds to states: reduce use of harmful restraints and seclusions
With thousands of students in Connecticut being physically restrained or secluded each year at school, the U.S. Department of Education is offering guidance for school leaders to cut down on these practices. “Ultimately, the standard for educators should be the same standard that parents use for their own children,” Education Secretary Arne Duncan said in […]
Posted inNews
New marijuana measure is a model for the nation
Now that the medical marijuana bill has passed both houses of the legislature and the governor’s signature is certain, there will be an upsurge of horrified and negative comments. As a former practicing surgeon and a research analyst on drug policy at Central Connecticut State University, I know these concerns will be heartfelt and must […]
Posted inNews
Malloy vetoes charter bill for a second time
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy vetoed his first bill of the 2012 session, a measure similar to a bill he vetoed last year over objections it would have limited the independence of charter revision commissions. “I continue to disapprove of this concept, because it unnecessarily restricts the independence and authority of charter review commissions,” Malloy wrote […]
Posted inEducation
No applause for implementation of education reforms
Only two hours after Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed into law a compromise education reform bill to near universal applause, a disagreement erupted at the State Department of Education over how to implement a provision on evaluating teachers. At issue is how much students’ performances on standardized tests will count when grading teachers. The new […]
Posted inNews
Connecticut Democrats spar with GOP over domestic violence law
Washington — Congress’ latest skirmish over what Democrats call “the war against women” has broken out over a law against domestic violence. Democrats and Republicans are divided on whether to extend special protections under the Violence Against Women Act to help undocumented immigrants and victims in the gay and transgender community. The Republican-led House will […]
Posted inNews
Controversy forgotten as education reforms become law
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy smiled and gave a thumbs up to Mary Loftus Levine, the leader of a teachers’ union that all but declared war on the governor over education reforms. She smiled back from her assigned seat in the second row. The brief, silent exchange at a bill-signing ceremony Tuesday spoke volumes about the […]
Posted inNews
Connecticut’s researchers decry Congress’ effort to kill census program
Washington — Congress’ move to abolish the American Community Survey, a U.S. Census program that reveals how Americans live, work and shop, has provoked an outcry from academics, researchers, local officials and even the business community who rely on the data. The amendment to abolish the survey — a measure expected to gain no traction […]