The money race is under way in the 5th Congressional District. Hours after Elizabeth Esty reported raising $172,211 in just three weeks, Dan Roberti announced raising $255,900 in just 17 days. “I’m humbled and honored by the support I received this quarter, and thankful to all those who contributed to my campaign,” Roberti said in […]

A jury in U.S. District Court in Bridgeport today returned a verdict against Ken Krayeske, a political activist and free-lance journalist, in the civil rights case he brought over his arrest during Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s inaugural parade in 2007. Krayeske claimed he was targeted for political reasons: His photograph was circulated by state police […]

Note to criminal defendants: Get to court early, and bring the judge a sandwich. That could be the conclusion of a new study of judges’ behavior, reported by Michael Haederle at Miller-McCune. Researchers studying the rulings of Israeli parole board judges found that prisoners were far more likely to get a favorable ruling at the […]

Elizabeth Esty is trying to make a splash with her first congressional fundraising report. The former state legislator from Cheshire reported raising $172,211 in the three weeks since creating her candidate committee for her run in the 5th Congressional District. “I am thrilled with the amount of both moral and financial support I’ve gotten already, […]

In 2010, the Milwaukee Teachers’ Education Association claimed sexual discrimination through the courts in an attempt to have taxpayers fund nearly $800,000 dollars for drugs that treat erectile dysfunction. In March, 2011, unions in Orange, Connecticut won a grievance requiring taxpayers to provide them with free coffee and milk. As many Americans struggle with their […]

In the face of calls to close Connecticut’s two state-run youth psychiatric facilities, Department of Children and Families Commissioner Joette Katz proposed Thursday not only to keep them open, but also to expand their utilization. The move drew tentative support both from children’s advocates and from legislative Republicans who have pushed to close the facilities. […]

WASHINGTON–While some lawmakers would rather sidestep the emerging high-stakes debate over reducing the nation’s long-term debt, Sen. Joseph Lieberman wants to be center stage in this brewing battle. But he’s been having a hard time inserting himself into the political mix–at least until now. On Thursday, Lieberman added his name–and his presence at a press […]

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy endorsed budget revisions Thursday that would shift some of his $1.5 billion in proposed tax increases from the middle class to wealthier residents, a major step toward the passage of a budget next week by the legislature’s Finance and Appropriations committees. By partially restoring a property tax credit slated for elimination […]

WASHINGTON–Connecticut lawmakers are embracing President Barack Obama’s call on Wednesday for a mix of spending cuts, tax increases, and entitlement reform to reduce the nation’s annual deficits, saying Obama put forward an aggressive, fair plan. And they welcomed the President’s entry into a debate that, until now, has been largely dominated by House Republicans. But […]

Whether 9-year-old Nejaughn Ware Jr. ever gets to enroll in a suburban school or continues to attend Hartford’s public schools could depend on more than just the annual school choice lottery. The fourth-grader’s future also could hinge on a bill pending before the state legislature. Lawmakers appear poised to substantially bolster financial incentives to expand […]

Only two of Connecticut’s U.S. House members-Reps. Joe Courtney and Jim Himes–voted “yes” on the fiscal year 2011 spending deal hashed out between House Republicans, Senate Democrats, and the White House last week. That plan, which averted a government shutdown, would cut $38 billion from current year federal operations. Himes, D-4th District, and Courtney, D-2nd […]

When Rep. John Larson introduced his public financing campaign bill earlier this month, he blasted the current chase for campaign cash as a corrupting and all-consuming. “Especially in the House, the moment you’re elected, you spend the rest of your time on the phone dialing for dollars, instead of being in the pursuit of the […]

Just in time for tax day, Pulitzer-prize winning reporter, author and lecturer David Cay Johnston takes on what he calls nine “media-perpetuated tax myths” that prop up the theory of supply-side economics–the notion that lower tax rates promote investment, which creates jobs, which raises tax revenue. No. 1 on his list: The widespread notion that […]

A progressive coalition’s campaign to nudge Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the General Assembly towards a bigger tax increase and a new 8.95-percent tax bracket for multi-millionaires quickly was branded a non-starter Wednesday. The legislature is likely to adjust the governor’s tax plan by adopting a slightly more progressive income-tax structure than Malloy’s top rate […]