WASHINGTON–Congress’s legislative to-do list for the next few weeks is long and loaded with possible controversy. From allowing gays to serve in the military to the looming expiration of the Bush-era tax cuts, the opportunities for big, defining ideological brawls are rife. But lawmakers may also sidestep much of that agenda, scale back to a […]

How do Connecticut’s eighth-graders stack up in math against students from Korea? Italy? Australia? Educators will be able to answer those questions when Connecticut schoolchildren take part next year in an international study of proficiency in mathematics and science. Connecticut is one of eight states that have agreed to test a representative sample of students […]

Democrat Dan Malloy’s lead over Republican Tom Foley in the Rasmussen Reports poll has shrunk from 15 percentage points a month ago to seven points in a survey released today. The new survey prompted Rasmussen to move the Connecticut governor’s race from “Solid Democrat” to “Leans Democrat,” with Malloy leading 46 percent to 39 percent, with 12 percent undecided […]

Republican Tom Foley has loaned his campaign for governor another $1 million, raising his personal stake in the race to $4 million. He now has raised nearly $4.9 million and spent nearly $4.6 million. Foley recently promised he will not be outspent by Democrat Dan Malloy, who has received $6 million in public financing for the general-election […]

MANCHESTER — U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer of New York interrupted his own stress-free stroll to re-election Friday to help a neighbor, Democrat Richard Blumenthal. Not that Blumenthal needs it, mind you. Schumer, a prodigious fundraiser who oversaw the Senate Democrats’ gain of six seats in 2008, took pains to avoid the impression that Blumenthal needs […]

ROCKY HILL — Though many economists say Connecticut is slowly beginning to cover, most businesses here don’t expect to do so until 2011 or 2012, according to the state business lobby’s latest annual survey. The Connecticut Business and Industry Association’s ninth annual Survey of Connecticut Businesses also found poor sales, fears about state government’s fiscal instability […]

Nearly three-quarters of the men incarcerated on weapons charges in Connecticut are likely to be arrested again within three years, and nearly half serve a new sentence, according to a new study by the state Office of Policy and Management. The report, prepared for the state’s Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission, also found that two-thirds […]

Whether it’s for love or money, Richard Blumenthal is embracing Barack Obama at a time when the president’s approval rating sits at an all-time low in Connecticut. Obama is headlining a $1,000-a-ticket fundraiser for Blumenthal, a Democratic U.S. Senate nominee trying to hold off the best-financed candidate in state history, Republican Linda McMahon. No public […]

A Rasmussen Reports survey released this afternoon has Democrat Richard Blumenthal leading Republican Linda McMahon in the U.S. Senate race, 53 percent to 44 percent. Last month, Blumenthal led, 47 percent to 40 percent. The new poll is the first in which Rasmussen includes “leaners,” people who express no initial preference until pushed. Without leaners, Blumenthal’s lead […]

GREENWICH–It was billed as a rally, but the public portion of Mitt Romney’s campaign stop for Tom Foley clocked in Thursday at 7 minutes, 36 seconds. A longer look required a $1,000 ticket to a fundraiser luncheon that Foley hoped would raise at least $50,000 for his campaign for governor. Romney, the once and presumably […]

WASHINGTON-When House Democrats take up legislation to strengthen “Buy American” rules in the coming weeks, no one will be watching more closely than Waterbury businessman John Barto. Barto is president of Ansonia Copper & Brass Inc., the last existing U.S. manufacturer of a specially-sized copper nickel tubing used to build American submarines. Ansonia is a major defense […]

STAMFORD – The nation’s economic comeback has hit a lull, and by next year Connecticut may follow suit, University of Connecticut economists warn. Connecticut will have gained 20,000 jobs by year’s end, according to projections by contributors to The Connecticut Economy, the university’s quarterly economic review. But job growth in 2011 might top out at […]