DANBURY — After the 16th of 17 scheduled town meetings on the budget, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Wednesday he’s not willing to increase his proposal of $1.5 billion in new taxes–but he might reconsider how the burden is shared. Even if concession talks with state employees fail and Malloy has to find another $1 […]
Malloy: No additional tax hikes, but burden could change
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Bid to raise kindergarten age revived, with pre-school guaranteed
A proposal raising the age for starting kindergarten, rejected last month by the legislature’s Education Committee, is being considered again by another committee–but this time money may be attached to ensure poor children don’t miss out on early education. The move–originally proposed by the State Board of Education and now backed by many of the members […]
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Agency heads get instructions to prepare for layoffs
The administration of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy sent layoff instructions to agency heads today, another calculated reminder of the stakes if the administration and state employees fail to agree on $1 billion in concessions. The detailed instructions sent by Benjamin Barnes, the secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, follow by two days his […]
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Delegation pans GOP budget proposal–with one exception
WASHINGTON–Even before House Republicans had finished unveiling their dramatic budget proposal for 2012, Sen. Joseph Lieberman sent out a congratulatory statement on the GOP budget chairman’s plan. Lieberman said he wanted to thank Rep. Paul Ryan, the Wisconsin Republican who on Tuesday unveiled a proposal to slash nearly $6 trillion from federal spending over the […]
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Truckers’ association asks for higher diesel fuel tax–with a catch
File this one under the least anticipated proposals of the 2011 General Assembly session. The state’s largest trucking association is asking Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and lawmakers to impose an even larger diesel fuel tax hike on its members than originally proposed. But of course there’s a trade-off: The Motor Transport Association of Connecticut wants […]
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Malloy says layoff instructions not meant to be provocative
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said today that the layoff instructions sent today to agency heads are a matter of due diligence, not saber rattling directed at state employees. If his administration’s concession talks with labor fail, he will have to cut $1 billion from his budget proposal, he said. “There’s no way to get to […]
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Alec Baldwin makes pitch for Larson’s campaign finance bill
Rep. John Larson will need more than Hollywood star power to move his clean-elections campaign finance bill through Congress this year. But having a movie star at the kick-off press conference at least ensures a packed room. Reporters and congressional aides alike crammed into a small Capitol Hill conference room Wednesday morning, where Alec Baldwin […]
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Silver: Bradley among the ‘overpriced’ airports
Planning a flight? Bradley International Airport might not be the most economical choice for your departure point, Nate Silver says at his New York Times Blog, FiveThirtyEight. Silver, best known for his political commentary and analysis, is expanding to provide guidance to consumers using statistical date-crunching. (His debut column: “How to beat the salad bar“.) […]
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Murphy campaign says he’s raised more than $1 million
Chris Murphy’s campaign said Wednesday that his 1st quarter fundraising report will show that he’s raised $1.1 million in the first ten weeks of the 2012 U.S. Senate race. That’s about double what Murphy’s Democratic rival, Susan Bysiewicz, has told supporters she will report on April 15, when the two will have to file their […]
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Malloy says state prepared for federal government shut-down–if it’s short
As lawmakers in Washington continue their brinksmanship over a federal spending bill, Gov. Dannel Malloy said Connecticut is prepared for the possibility of a federal government shutdown–at least a short one. Malloy said last week, he asked all the Executive Branch department chiefs to submit an assessment of the potential impact of a shutdown on […]
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State faces intense competition in bid for rail funds
Not surprisingly, Connecticut faces stiff competition in its bid for a slice of the $2.4 billion in federal high-rail that Florida’s governor rejected earlier this year. The Federal Railroad Administration announced today that it has received more than 90 applications from 24 states, the District of Columbia, and Amtrak. A tally of the funding requests […]
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Progress report: One million visitors
In February we welcomed our one millionth visitor.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
State leadership on clean energy/energy efficiency will create jobs
Job creation is one of Connecticut’s top priorities, and the creation of new jobs through energy efficiency and clean energy projects in schools, homes and public buildings should be a high profile initiative led by Gov. Malloy and supported by the Connecticut legislature. Jobs that provide an energy or environmental benefit, also known as “green […]
Posted inEnergy & Environment
State leadership on clean energy/energy efficiency will create jobs
Job creation is one of Connecticut’s top priorities, and the creation of new jobs through energy efficiency and clean energy projects in schools, homes and public buildings should be a high profile initiative led by Gov. Malloy and supported by the Connecticut legislature. Jobs that provide an energy or environmental benefit, also known as “green […]
Posted inNews
Malloy and his budget: ‘I have yet to find…a better way’
NEW BRITAIN–On his 15th night on the road and with two more town-hall meetings ahead of him, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday he has heard no credible alternative to his unpopular mix of tax increases, spending cuts and labor concessions. “The legislature has an opportunity to move things around and to disagree and to […]