The agreement between state employee unions and the Malloy administration counts on a nearly 10 percent savings in employee and retiree health care costs in the first year from changing the way the benefits plan is designed. The concept behind it–structuring the plan to encourage workers to take care of their health–is already used widely […]

Not long ago, Connecticut’s solar energy industry was thriving, the envy of other states. Then the state’s generous incentive program ran out of money, the legislature failed to create a sustainable alternative, and the industry found itself on the ropes. “It’s not in danger of losing momentum, it’s lost it,” said Ron French president of […]

One of the best bits of advice I received as a new Capitol reporter in the 1980s was to get to know Leo V. Donohue, who died Friday at age 86, nearly 20 years after his retirement as the Democratic state auditor. Not only did a visit to Donohue’s office on the ground-floor of the […]

The Family Institute of Connecticut bemoaned the absence of the Catholic Church in the conservative group’s unsuccessful fight Thursday to defeat a transgender discrimination bill in the House. It passed 77 to 62, with no Republican support, even though some GOP lawmakers backed it previously. The FIC pointed to a close vote on an amendment […]

For the first time since it began asking the question, Gallup says a majority of Americans believe same-sex marriages should be recognized by law. The outcome of the poll–with 53 percent favoring recognition of gay marriage and 45 percent opposed–is a reversal of polling just a year ago. When Gallup first asked a similar question […]

When students come to school worried about bullying, they can’t learn. That’s why we strongly support Senate Bill 1138, a comprehensive “safe school climate” bill before the Connecticut General Assembly. One in four Connecticut high school students – and 35 percent of the state’s 9th graders – were bullied or harassed on school property in […]

With every Republican in opposition, the House of Representatives voted 77 to 62 Thursday night for legislation barring discrimination against perhaps one of the last unprotected minorities, the transgender population. The bill barring discrimination on the basis of gender identity applies to employment, housing and public accommodations, including the use of restrooms – a topic […]

With Gov. Dannel P. Malloy openly lobbying for the bill, proponents of controversial legislation mandating paid sick days said Thursday night they appeared to have at least the bare minimum of votes necessary for passage in the Senate. House approval is considered likely. “We’re cautiously optimistic we have the votes,” said Jon Green, the director […]

Legislation that would allow communities in which student populations have declined markedly to cut school funding appears likely to pass this year–but some hard-pressed cities and towns won’t be eligible. Joseph Cirasuolo of school superintendents association: ‘That’s a very questionable public policy’ (WNPR) Rep. Andy Fleischmann, the co-chairman of the Education Committee, said legislative leaders […]

Many Connecticut wage earners will notice their paychecks shrinking faster than anticipated starting this August, when the Department of Revenue Services begins implementing the new $875 million state income tax increase. That’s because the tax hike, which adds three new tax rates, reduces a property tax credit and adds an earned income credit for poor […]

WASHINGTON–Gov. Dannel P. Malloy today urged a group of state and local environmental officials to push the envelope on energy efficiency and to make an inextricable connection between lower energy costs, increased economic competitiveness, and a cleaner environment. Speaking at a “clean energy summit,” organized by the U.S. Department of Energy and held in a […]

With almost half the states looking for A-list candidates to fill vacancies in their top education positions so far this year, Connecticut’s national search has generated little interest since Education Commissioner Mark McQuillan resigned abruptly nearly five months ago. “We were hoping we would get a larger range of applications,” said State Board of Education […]