Americans think it’s getting cheaper to buy a congressman or governor, according to a new poll by Rasmussen Reports. How cheap? Thirty-five percent say the going rate is $10,000 or less. In Connecticut, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was limited to donations of no more than $100 to qualify for public financing.

Despite repeated assurances from Gov. Dannel P. Malloy that savings from union concessions and other cost-cutting measures would be achieved, nonpartisan legislative analysts reported a nearly $145 million state budget deficit Wednesday evening. The latest projection from the nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis doesn’t include the nearly $79 million in new cost-cutting measures announced Tuesday […]

After a soft launch three months ago, Chris Shays raised the curtain on his U.S. Senate campaign Wednesday with pointed references to his unexpected victory 25 years ago over two wealthy businessmen in a Republican congressional primary. He was not merely indulging in nostalgia. To win the GOP nomination in 2012, Shays will need to recapture […]

The arrest Tuesday of four East Haven police officers after a federal investigation has one Connecticut rights coalition pushing for a stronger racial profiling law. Mongi Dhaouadi, Connecticut Civil Rights Coaliton “We felt this is the right time for us to come forward and say that discrimination against one part of our community is discrimination […]

Years of disagreement have stalled efforts to grade teachers and dismiss those who are ineffective. That all changed Wednesday when a group of educators — including teachers’ unions, superintendent and school board groups — agreed on how to properly evaluate teachers so those who are struggling are identified and put on a path to improve […]

Dawn Luciano spends her weekends working as a personal care attendant, caring for seniors and people with disabilities in their homes. She’d like to spend her weekdays doing it, too. “Unfortunately, I can’t,” Luciano, of Killingly, said. That’s because she relies on her other, full-time job as a financial sales representative to get health insurance […]

Washington — In his address to the nation Tuesday night, President Obama called for a rebirth of manufacturing, a fairer tax system and a stronger community college system. Most Connecticut lawmakers agreed with the president’s priorities, especially his emphasis on manufacturing and education. “The president’s focus on manufacturing, energy and work force development echoes what […]

State of the Union Address“An America Built to Last”Tuesday, January 24th, 2012Washington, DC As Prepared for Delivery – Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, members of Congress, distinguished guests, and fellow Americans: Last month, I went to Andrews Air Force Base and welcomed home some of our last troops to serve in Iraq. Together, we offered […]

Washington — Connecticut’s congressional delegation will watch President Obama’s State of the Union speech tonight with an eye on how it will help the state. According to high administration officials, Obama will  lay out his vision for the nation through four “pillars.” One pillar is the boosting of manufacturing jobs. Another is the promotion of […]

Washington — A deal between five major banks and a group of attorneys general — including George Jepsen of Connecticut — could bring $150 million or more to state homeowners who have been victims of foreclosures or the burst of the housing bubble. The banks involved in the negotiations — the Bank of America, JPMorgan […]

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday that four state employees have been fired, four have elected to retire and 90 others face disciplinary hearings that could cost them their jobs as a result of the Storm Irene disaster-relief investigation. The governor said the state’s investigation found that at least 686 of the approximately 800 state […]