State lawmakers defied a veto threat by Gov. M. Jodi Rell and voted Friday to double to $6 million the general-election grant for gubernatorial candidates participating in the state’s public financing program. The bill passed the Senate and House with fewer votes than would be needed to override a veto, but there were enough absences […]

The Senate voted tonight in special session to double to $6 million the general-election grant for gubernatorial candidates participating in the state’s public financing program. The bill passed 23-12, one vote shy of a veto-proof majority. Sen. Joan Hartley, D-Waterbury, was absent for the vote. Gov. M. Jodi Rell has promised to veto any proposal […]

GLASTONBURY–Rob Simmons Friday launched the second and last television ad of his recently revived campaign for the GOP U.S. Senate nomination, a 30-second spot extolling public service and including an implicit jab at his principal opponent, Linda McMahon. Simmons had stopped campaigning and dismissed his staff in May after losing the Republican endorsement to McMahon. […]

The Democratic race for comptroller continued along its rocky path Friday, with Waterbury Mayor Mike Jarjura on the receiving end of three hits. First, a YouTube video surfaced of the Democrat speaking at a Tea Party rally. “We needed a spark, and you’re the spark that is going to be the change. So don’t give […]

Connecticut State University officials reduced raises for more than 60 high-ranking managers Friday in response to criticism from Gov. M. Jodi Rell but took no action on Rell’s request to rescind raises for two campus presidents. The managers, including officials at CSU’s four campuses and at system headquarters in Hartford, had been given pay increases […]

The debate over whether to have a debate is over: Ned Lamont promises to show up at the Rocky Hill studios of WFSB next Tuesday to debate Dan Malloy in the Democratic race for governor. But if Democrats now expect their contenders for an elusive political prize to dial back the negative ads, disappointment awaits. […]

MANSFIELD – How do you keep six gubernatorial candidates from spending an entire forum attacking each other? Answer: Don’t give them the chance. The Windham Region Chamber of Commerce employed that simple solution Thursday during the first half of a forum held at the Nathan Hale Inn at the University of Connecticut. In an unusual […]

People with pre-existing medical conditions can sign up for a new, less expensive health insurance option starting next week–but advocates question how effective it will be in getting coverage for the state’s uninsured. The new plan–a product of the new federal health reform law and $50 million in federal subsidies– will provide essentially the same […]

Gov. M. Jodi Rell notified lawmakers Thursday that she will veto any proposal to fix the state’s public campaign finance system if it includes increasing the grant amounts. “At a time we are facing a huge budget deficit, expect to borrow approximately $700 million to pay our expenses for the current fiscal year and shortly […]

MANSFIELD – Connecticut’s six gubernatorial candidates faced their version of the lightning round during this morning’s forum sponsored by the Windham Region Chamber of Commerce. Given only 30 seconds to answer most questions about economy, transportation, the state budget crisis, energy, tourism, health care and other complex topics, Democrats Dan Malloy and Ned Lamont, Republicans […]

To defuse the escalating back-and-forth of negative ads in the Democratic race for governor, Ned Lamont said today he has reconsidered and now intends to debate Dan Malloy next week on WFSB, Channel 3 and WNPR radio. “This has gone south fast,” Lamont said of the tone of the campaign for the Democratic nomination, which […]

Tom Foley and Lt. Gov. Michael Fedele frequently sparred Thursday night, ignoring the underfunded Oz Griebel during a televised debate of the Republican candidates for governor. But Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell took the most punches as Foley blamed her administration for the fiscal crisis. And Fedele worked from the opening bell to distance himself […]

For publicly-financed political candidates facing wealthy self-funders, Friday is a crucial day. State lawmakers are planning to convene then to address the recent federal appellate court ruling barring publicly- funded candidates from being awarded additional money if their opponents’ spending exceeds statutory thresholds. The decision has special significance for the gubernatorial race. Democratic leaders want […]

WASHINGTON-Congress has squashed hopes for a $10 billion rescue fund to save teacher jobs. Emergency Medicaid funding for the states is teetering on a political cliff. And the talk of extending health insurance subsidies for laid-off workers has gone quiet. As Congress inches toward a five-week August recess without passing any of these funding measures, […]

A major state employee union is using last spring’s unsuccessful bid to cancel longevity bonuses for senior, non-union state employees to rally support for its long-running battle to allow managers to bargain collectively. An affiliate of the Connecticut State Employees Association/Service Employees International Union sent out letters last week to about 2,500 non-union managers reminding […]