Washington — With public approval at an all-time low, Congress is beginning work on a new ethics law aimed at rooting out insider trading. But some say it’s not tough enough, and others say it’s not needed. The Senate began debate on the Stop Trading on Congressional Knowledge, or STOCK, Act, today, which would bar […]
As lawmakers consider STOCK Act, some say it’s not tough enough
Posted inNews
DCF’s savings gone, future of some reforms uncertain
Budget cuts by the Malloy administration will stall some plans to turn around the Department of Children and Families, an agency under federal court oversight for failing too many abused and neglected children, their budget chief says. “This will delay us from moving forward,” Cindy Butterfield, DCF budget chief, told a group of community providers […]
Posted inNews
After years of flat funding, nonprofits could face cuts
Meriden — If all goes according to plan, the glassed-in attachment to The Arc of Meriden-Wallingford’s building will soon be filled with fish, worms and vegetables. Executive Director Pamela Fields envisions the future aquaponics set up — made from donated equipment and built by community volunteers — as an employment opportunity for the people with […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy in Washington to promote his record
During a whirlwind two-day visit to Washington, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy has been asked by two very different groups to talk about his brief record in the governor’s office. Although he was inaugurated only last year, Malloy was asked by Governing magazine to be its keynote speaker Tuesday for its “Outlook in the States & […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment
In proposed final decision, DEEP endorses wetlands permit for busway.
The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection today issued a proposed final decision granting a wetlands permit to the Department of Transportation for the New Brtain to Hartford busway. The decision is on line.
Posted inEducation
College tuition and legislators
State legislators have played little to no role in what tuition will be at the state’s public colleges, a reality that could change as President Obama steps up the pressure on colleges to stop raising tuition. During the first Higher Education Committee meeting this year, state Sen. Toni Boucher, R-Wilton, asked how the state plans […]
Posted inNews
In East Haven, mixed reaction to top cop retirement
East Haven — At a news conference Monday morning at town hall, Mayor Joseph Maturo announced that Chief of Police Leonard Gallo — named in an ongoing federal investigation of discriminatory policing — would retire at the end of the week. East Haven Mayor Joseph Maturo “His decision to retire at this time is a […]
Posted inNews
The governor as rainmaker for a friendly PAC
As a publicly financed candidate for governor in 2010, Dannel P. Malloy could accept no contributions of more than $100 and was barred from accepting donations from lobbyists or business owners doing business with the state. But Malloy is free to help raise money from those sources in his roles as finance chairman of the […]
Posted inNews
Retiring foe of gaming addiction warns against online gambling
The retiring chief of the Connecticut Council on Problem Gambling used one of his final appearances before the legislature to press Monday for several new safeguards to accompany any new online gaming program. Executive Director Marvin Steinberg and his successor, Mary A. Drexler, also praised Gov. Dannel P. Malloy for recommending that a portion of […]
Posted inNews
Malloy gets final approval for Jackson Lab investment
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy secured Connecticut’s investment in a major genetic research initiative Monday — but not before one more partisan debate. The State Bond Commission voted 8-2 to release $291 million, which will pay to build a new 173,000-square-foot research center for The Jackson Laboratory on the University of Connecticut Health Center campus in […]
Posted inNews
Microgrids offer potential for greater energy reliability
Easy to miss in the flurry around the Two Storms Panel report earlier this month was an idea called microgrids. A jargony techno-term, a microgrid is a small electric grid with its own generation source. It normally operates linked to the main electric grid, but when that suffers widespread interruptions, as Connecticut’s did during Tropical […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Public option proposal coming back for 2012
A proposed public health insurance option didn’t get through the legislature last year, but some supporters are planning to try again this year. Creating a publicly administered health insurance plan is among the recommendations of a working group on small business health care, established by House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan and led by Rep. Robert […]
Posted inNews
Connecticut gets low grade for online election info, but big changes are coming
Connecticut’s election web site scores a 58 on a 100-point scale, with “low usability” and “lack of content,” according to a study by the Pew Center on the States. But big changes are coming, including a precinct-by-precinct election reporting system that the state hopes to test in April and use publicly in August to gather unofficial […]
Posted inHealth
Aetna to pay docs to coordinate care
Aetna announced Monday that it will launch a patient-centered medical home program in Connecticut and New Jersey to reward primary care physicians who more actively coordinate and manage their patients’ care. Doctors who meet certain requirements will be eligible to get a quarterly care coordination payment for each Aetna patient they treat, although Aetna Medicare […]
Posted inPolitics
East Haven police chief stepping down
East Haven Police Chief Leonard Gallo is set to step down today amidst a continuing FBI investigation into alleged discrimination against Latinos. Four East Haven police officers were arrested and charged last week — accused of systematic harassment of the Latino population in East Haven, including illegal searches and the use of excessive force. Gallo […]