Several members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation expressed dissatisfaction with President Barack Obama’s plan to withdraw 10,000 American troops from Afghanistan by the end of this year. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-3rd District, said the president’s proposal “does not go far enough,” noting that the war is now a decade old. “We need to begin a more […]
Obama’s Afghanistan plan gets mixed reviews from CT delegation
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Report: Government jobs buoyed Hartford-area economy in recession
Nineteen of the 20 metropolitan areas that fared the best economically though the recession–including Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford–had growth in government jobs, Brookings reports in its latest MetroMonitor. Overall, employment was significantly stronger in the Hartford area during the recession than in the state’s other two metropolitan areas, Brookings said, falling just 1.5 percent from its […]
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McKinney: Maybe concession failure will be catalyst for labor changes
Has the apparent failure of the state employee concession deal created a new political environment for labor isuses? Senate Minority Leader John P. McKinney, R-Fairfield, sounds like he wants to find out during a special session anticipated for next week. He said Republicans would try to raise collective bargaining changes at any special session, seeking […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment, Money
U.S. Dept. of Labor grants CT $5.8 million for green jobs
U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis announced Wednesday afternoon that Connecticut will receive $5.8 million in grants for the creation of green jobs, pleasing both U.S. Rep. John Larson and U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro. The money comes from the U.S. Department of Labor’s Green Jobs Innovation Fund. The Connecticut Department of Labor in Wethersfield and […]
Posted inHealth, Money
Larson pushes bill to expand health services for military families with autistic children.
Rep. John Larson introduced legislation Wednesday that would increase health care services for military families with autistic children. Right now, there is a spending cap on behavioral health services for autistic children covered by TRICARE, the military health insurance program. And there’s no coverage for the dependents of military retirees. Karen Driscoll, the wife of […]
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As concession deal teeters, Donovan postpones congressional announcement
One of the first politicians affected by the waning hopes for ratification of the state employees’ concession deal is one of labor’s biggest friends, House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden. Donovan, a former labor and community organizer, is postponing a formal announcement of his candidacy for the open seat in the 5th Congressional District, which […]
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In D.C., Malloy has an enforced day of cooling off over AFSCME
There probably won’t be any inflammatory footage of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy reacting to news that a vote by an AFSCME unit yesterday has left the SEBAC concession deal all but dead. He is in Washington D.C. for a meeting about a jobs program for returning veterans, ruling out any encounters with state Capitol reporters.
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AFSCME unit rejects concessions, making ratification unlikely
Chances of state employees ratifying their tentative concession agreement all but disappeared Tuesday night as a major AFSCME bargaining unit rejected the deal, leaving the last, slim hope for passage in the hands of a constituency hostile to givebacks: correction officers. The last chance for ratification by AFSCME, whose rejection would doom the concessions, now […]
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States review options after high court ruling on global warming lawsuit
WASHINGTON–Connecticut and other states on the losing side of Monday’s Supreme Court ruling limiting their ability to force reductions in greenhouse gas emissions now face a strategic dilemma. Do they count on Washington regulators, working on a high-stakes environmental issue in a politically-charged climate, to push ahead with federal rules requiring power plants to cut […]
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For one physician, health reform means more time with patients
WASHINGTON–If federal Medicare officials need a star for their new public service ads touting preventive care benefits for seniors, Dr. Rebecca Andrews, a clinic director at the UConn Health Center, would be perfect for the role. Andrews, the Health Center’s associate medical director for general medicine, says her practice-among Medicare patients at least-has been transformed […]
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For some, going without health insurance is an act of faith
WINDSOR–Yvonne Mitto didn’t have health insurance when she had sinus surgery this winter, and she couldn’t be happier. She had her bills covered and, along with them, people across the country praying for her. “It was amazing,” she said. Mitto belongs to Medi-Share, a health care sharing ministry in which she and other members contribute […]
Posted inHealth
Thirty years into HIV/AIDS epidemic, challenges and misperceptions remain
Americans are no more likely to get an HIV test now than they were 14 years ago, and they are less likely to say HIV/AIDS is an urgent health problem. At the same time, the percentage of Americans who say they are “very concerned” about becoming infected with the virus has inched up, and stigma […]
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Healy rules out sticking around as GOP chair
Waiting at Union Station in New Haven to pick up kin for his testimonial tonight, Chris Healy definitively ruled out staying on as GOP state chair while the party coalesces behind a successor. In fact, you could say he was Shermanesque. “Oh, definitely. Sherman on steroids,” Healy said. The contest for Republican state chairman seemed […]
Posted inMoney, Politics
Bernier announces support of 60 Republican leaders
Republican candidate Justin Bernier announced the support of 60 Republican leaders for his campaign in the 5th Congressional District Tuesday afternoon, one year ahead of the 2012 Connecticut Republican Convention. Justin Bernier The list of supporters includes Republican activists, officeholders, and town committee members from 27 municipalities across western Connecticut. Thirty-eight of the 60 supporters […]
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Himes weighs in on Obama’s Afghanistan speech before the prez delivers it
Rep. Jim Himes isn’t waiting to hear what President Barack Obama has to say about U.S. troop levels in Afghanistan tomorrow night. He’s weighing in now, a full 24 hours before the president’s scheduled speech tomorrow night. In a pre-speech statement, the 4th District Democrat hinted that he might not be too happy with what […]