Connecticut lawmakers and social service advocates on Tuesday urged Congress to preserve funding for an energy assistance program that helps more than 113,000 low-income state households heat their homes in the winter. Such appeals could become commonplace in the coming weeks, as the fallout of a deal to cut $550 billion in federal domestic discretionary […]
As Congress sharpens its knife, advocates urge funding of heat aid
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State income tax hike hits paychecks starting this week
Depending on how much they earn, Connecticut workers could start noticing less in their paychecks at week’s end as state government starts collecting at special income tax rates to reflect new increases – and to apply them retroactively back to Jan. 1. But while Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and his fellow Democrats in the legislature’s […]
Posted inHealth
Health insurance explained, and animated
If you’ve been meaning to learn about health insurance regulation but were turned off by the lack of animated options, the Oregon Insurance Division has just the explainer for you. The 7-minute video provides the division’s answers to why insurance costs so much, how premium costs are set, how the insurance division regulates health insurance, […]
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Lieberman off the fence, a “yes” on the debt deal
A spokeswman for Sen. Joseph Lieberman said this morning that the Connecticut independent will be a “yes” vote on the debt-ceiling deal, which is set for a noon vote in the Senate today. Lieberman had said yesterday that he was on the fence over the agreement, citing concerns about the possible defense cuts included in […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan premiums being lowered for most members
The state has received federal approval to set a flat premium for its Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan, allowing anyone who qualifies to get coverage for $381 a month, the governor’s office announced Tuesday. The new rate will take effect Sept. 1. Currently, the premiums vary by age, with rates as high as $893 a month. […]
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For states, debt deal still leaves lots of uncertainty
The deal to raise the debt ceiling reached by President Obama and Congressional leaders averts the immediate crisis, John Gramlich and Melissa Maynard report at Stateline.org, but it leaves governors wondering exactly what kind of pain their states will face over the next decade. While the deal calls for $917 billion in deficit reduction through […]
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After hurried scrutiny, state House members split on debt bill
WASHINGTON-After a rushed and wrenching review, Connecticut’s five U.S. House members split over the debt-reduction deal crafted by the White House and congressional leaders to avoid a U.S. default. Capping a chaotic day and ending weeks of brinksmanship, the House approved the measure by a vote of 269 to 161, with 174 Republicans supporting the […]
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Watchdog panel gives Malloy three choices for new executive director
The heads of state government’s nine watchdog agencies referred three finalists Monday to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy to become executive director of the new Office of Governmental Accountability — including one candidate who’s prepared to take no salary. The Governmental Accountability Commission voted unanimously following a 50-minute closed-door debate to recommend: former Freedom of Information […]
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New Long Island Sound plan advocates public involvement
NEW HAVEN — The last time a comprehensive conservation and management plan was created for Long Island Sound was 1994. The estuary was severely stressed from pollution, toxins, garbage, poorly regulated development and general neglect. But the phrase “climate change” had yet to enter the public lexicon, the concept of sea level rise was barely […]
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Upkeep of governor’s residence a dicey issue in tough times
As tempers flare over the contentious vote and revote on a labor concession deal, one of the questions that occasionally pops up on comment boards is this: Is the Malloy Administration really spending money to redecorate the governor’s mansion as it is demanding labor givebacks? Technically, the state isn’t redecorating the Executive Residence (the term […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
Giffords’ appearance buoys House in midst of high-stakes vote
If there was a bright spot in Monday night’s House vote on the debt-deal, at least for Democrats, it was the surprise appearance by Rep. Gabrielle Giffords for the high-stakes, high-drama vote to increase the debt ceiling and slash federal spending. Giffords is the Arizona Democrat who was shot in January, in an incident that […]
Posted inHealth, Money
DPH to end licensing for funeral homes, embalmers, some clinics
As part of a plan to cut $20.6 million in two years, the state Department of Public Health will stop licensing funeral homes, funeral directors and embalmers, college infirmaries, and certain types of clinics, the department announced Monday. The cuts stem from a budget gap created when state employee unions rejected a concession deal aimed […]
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Does posting fast-food calorie counts matter?
To combat the nation’s obesity problem, officials in some jurisdictions have considered requiring chain restaurants to post calorie information on their menus, saying that would help consumers make better decisions. Critics, on the other hand, say nobody orders a Big Mac thinking it’s a low-cal snack, and posting the numbers won’t help. A new study […]
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Lieberman’s on the fence in the debt deal, citing concerns about deep defense cuts
Sen. Joseph Lieberman has been one of the most vocal members of the Connecticut delegation when it comes to calling for major fiscal reform in Washington. Any meaningful package, the Democrat-turned-independent has said, must include both tax increases and entitlement cuts. But Lieberman signaled that he might draw a line in the sand Sunday night […]
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Subsidy cuts boost Charter Oak Health Plan premiums
More than 9,500 people enrolled in the state-run Charter Oak Health Plan will see their premiums jump by at least 45 percent and possibly as much as 67 percent starting Sept. 1 as the state cuts its subsidies for the program. The premium increases stem from the cost of health care claims in the program […]