Many House Democrats are wringing their hands, trying to figure out what went wrong in last Tuesday’s special congressional election in New York, where a little-known GOP candidate swept to victory in a heavily Democratic district. But while others are reading the tea leaves, Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th, will get the inside scoop. That’s because […]
Himes’ aide happy to be back in DC after stint in New York special
Posted inMoney, Politics
Lieberman’s new book
Sen. Joseph Lieberman has a new book out-“The Gift of Rest,” an aptly titled tome for a longtime politician on the eve of his retirement from the Senate. But Lieberman’s book isn’t about stopping work, except for one day of the week. It’s a 230-page description and celebration of the Sabbath, even ending with a […]
Posted inHealth
Medical society gets new president, honors doctor for free care network
The Connecticut State Medical Society swore in its new president Saturday and honored a New Haven cardiologist who helped found a program to coordinate donated care for uninsured patients. Dr. Michael M. Krinsky, a neurologist who practices in the Hartford area, became the medical society’s 173rd president. Krinsky previously served as president of the Hartford […]
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UConn formally inaugurates Herbst as 15th president
It wasn’t until Friday that Susan Herbst was formally inaugurated as the University of Connecticut’s 15th president, but long before the ceremony celebrating her arrival she was engaged in the challenges facing the school. Since being sworn in three months ago, Herbst has made several major decisions for the university, including finding new leadership for […]
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Nearly all state employees choose controversial wellness plan
Ninety-six percent of the employees covered by the state health care plan have enrolled in a new wellness plan that was the subject of controversy surrounding a union concession package earlier this year. State Comptroller Kevin Lembo announced Friday that more than 50,000 state employees enrolled in the Health Enhancement Program, which begins Oct. 1. […]
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Democrats preferred over McMahon in early Senate poll
Republican Linda McMahon is much better known than her three main rivals in next year’s U.S. Senate race, but most of those who know enough to form an opinion say it’s a negative one, according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today. And while McMahon is widely favored over former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays among […]
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How much will state gain from Obama school construction plan?
WASHINGTON–Proponents of President Barack Obama’s $25 billion school construction plan have billed it as a doubly-good deal: American school kids would get spiffier schools and construction workers would get much-needed jobs. “Basic infrastructure is critically important to our economics and to our kids’ future,” said Rep. Rosa DeLauro, a 3rd District Democrat who began drafting […]
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Schools losing ground as federal funds dwindle
As local budget problems mounted in recent years, New Britain’s public schools relied heavily on federal funds not only to salvage teaching jobs but to develop an array of acclaimed career and technical programs. But like many other towns and cities, New Britain now is bracing for sharp reductions in federal support. Across the state, […]
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CCAG reconsiders, endorses Foster in Bridgeport
The Connecticut Citizen Action Group has endorsed challenger Mary-Jane Foster in the Bridgeport mayoral race, potentially giving Foster some organizing muscle in the last two weeks of a campaign now in overtime, thanks to a court decision. Few endorsements are game-changers, but a nod from CCAG usually brings expertise and volunteers. The statewide grass-roots group […]
Posted inHealth
Almost all state workers choose controversial wellness plan
Ninety-six percent of the employees covered by the state health care plan have enrolled in a new wellness plan that was the subject of controversy surrounding a union concession package earlier this year. State Comptroller Kevin Lembo announced Friday that more than 50,000 state employees enrolled in the Health Enhancement Program, which begins Oct. 1. […]
Posted inHealth
Can some job growth hurt the economy?
Gregory Warner of Marketplace takes a look at the complicated role that health care plays in the economy. He visits Oakland County, Mich., where local officials see building hospitals as a way to boost the economy by creating recession-proof jobs. The problem, critics say, is that having half-full hospitals competing for the same privately insured […]
Posted inHealth
State gets grant to help Medicaid patients quit smoking
The state has received a five-year federal grant that will provide as much as $10 million to help Medicaid recipients quit smoking, state officials announced Friday. The grant award comes as the state prepares to begin covering smoking cessation services through Medicaid in January, becoming one of the last states to do so. The state […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
Shays to be star witness at Lieberman hearing next week
Hmmm… Who could be the star witness for Sen. Joseph Lieberman’s just-announced hearing on wartime contracting? It’s a safe bet that ex-Rep. Chris Shays, who served as co-chair of the Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan, would jump at the chance to be in the Senate next week, testifying before the senator he […]
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Study says social media use raises teens’ appreciation of 1st Amendment rights
While social media such as Facebook and Twitter have been blamed for contributing to teen ills from narcissism to cyberbullying, a new study by the Knight Foundation says they also raise students’ appreciation for the First Amendment and its guarantee of free speech rights. As the use of social media has expanded, the percentage of […]
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First challenge of ECS panel: Untangling old compromises
The new state panel charged with ensuring fairness in Connecticut’s education financing system hit its first quandary Thursday: How do you fix the program when decades of political compromises and nearly $3.8 billion in under-funding have left virtually all communities–rich and poor alike–feeling short-changed? In its first detailed briefing on state education financing, the Education […]