A Utah genetic lab’s monopoly on testing for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer is being challenged by researchers at the Yale Cancer Center and other institutions that say it’s preventing other screenings that could save lives. The Connecticut news site, C-HIT.org (Connecticut Health Investigative Team) has just posted an important story about the actions swirling […]
Battle is set over test for hereditary breast cancer gene
Posted inNews
Lawmakers consider opening college courses to everyone
Seven of every 10 students who enroll in the state’s community colleges are diverted into non-credit remedial courses to prepare them for college-level courses. Several members of the legislature’s Higher Education Committee equate these remedial courses to the colleges’ Bermuda Triangle: Only 13.6 percent of the full-time students who take them will earn an associate’s […]
Posted inNews
Red-light cameras: New technology raises old questions
Are speed traps about safety or revenue? It’s been a question since the first cop wrote the first speeding ticket, and it was the challenge Thursday for advocates of a high-tech version of the old speed trap: automated red-light cameras. Legislative advocates of the automated ticketing system said safety was their only concern as they […]
Posted inHealth
Connecticut insurers wary of Obama’s contraceptive plan
In coming up with his compromise in the dispute over whether religious-affiliated employers should have to provide contraceptive coverage for their employees, President Obama failed to consider the concerns of insurance companies who would be required to provide contraceptive coverage for free.
Posted inNews
Administration backs off arts funding change
The Office of Policy and Management this afternoon backed off its proposal in the revised fiscal 2013 budget to have the state’s major arts and cultural organizations compete for the money they have traditionally received as an earmark. Instead, Secretary Benjamin Barnes indicated in a statement that the Department of Economic and Community Development will develop […]
Posted inNews
Elections watchdogs fear they lack resources to monitor public campaign grants
The state’s clean elections watchdog agency warned Wednesday that while it has enough funding to provide public grants for this fall’s state elections, it lacks the resources to monitor how candidates qualify for and spend the money. Though a final report hasn’t been completed yet, the State Elections Enforcement Commission expects to notify lawmakers later […]
Posted inMoney
Retirement panel approves Malloy’s pension fix
The State Retirement Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve the first stage of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s two-tiered plan to bolster the state employees’ pension fund. The second component, which requires action by the General Assembly, is expected to be considered before the 2012 session ends in early May. The retirement panel endorsed a revised […]
Posted inNews
On Foxwoods’ 20th, Malloy declares the casinos a partner
Mashantucket – The economic and political clout of the state’s two tribal casinos was amply demonstrated Wednesday by the sight of Connecticut’s top officials on a casino stage to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Foxwoods Resort Casino. The distant, soft singing of slot machines could be heard faintly inside the darkened Fox Theater as Gov. […]
Posted inNews
Report finds low recidivism rate amongst convicted sex offenders
Once sex offenders in Connecticut are released from prison, they are unlikely to be sent back for another sex crime, according to a report released Wednesday by the state Office of Policy and Management. Of 746 sex offenders released in Connecticut in 2005, five years later, less than 4 percent had been re-arrested and charged […]
Posted inNews
Up next: Shared sacrifice for retired teachers
Waves of retired teachers once covered by their districts’ health plans are opting to get insurance through the state’s less expensive policy. If Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has his way, his budget will slow this migration by increasing the cost the state’s 32,000 retired teachers and spouses would pay to join the state’s health plan. […]
Posted inNews
Senate Democrats offer plan to safeguard electric service
Majority Democrats in the state Senate announced a multi-tiered initiative Wednesday to better safeguard electric service and to hold Connecticut’s utilities accountable through new performance standards and penalties. The proposal includes a $300 million state investment over the next decade to create “microgrids” — sections of community centers with extra safeguards to ensure electric service […]
Posted inNews
Arts funding drama takes center stage
Arts organizations in Connecticut had been feeling the love from the Malloy administration: a new home in the Department of Economic and Community Development, leadership that seemed to care what they had to say, new programs, and not insignificantly — more funding. But not after last week. Tucked into Gov. Dannel Malloy’s revised fiscal 2013 […]
Posted inEducation
Media: 1, Hartford school officials: 0
Hartford school officials would not allow the media to cover a potentially controversial meeting Monday where a discussion was expected on the mid-year reshuffling of principals. “Please be advised that this evening’s meeting of the Classical Magnet School Governance Council parents with Superintendent [Christina] Kishimoto is closed to the press,” read the statement that went […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Gov gets recs for home care, child care worker collective bargaining
The working groups charged with recommending how to structure collective bargaining rights for home care workers and daycare providers in state-funded programs issued their reports to the governor Wednesday. Neither group offered a prescription for collective bargaining, but identified key issues to address and options for resolving them. The legislature must take action for either […]
Posted inNews
When social media isn’t sociable
Who knew? It seems that sitting up posting angry thoughts on Facebook at 2 a.m. is not a good idea for public officials. A Manchester school board board member is facing demands for her resignation.