‘Brownfield’ developers face maze of obstacles

Ask Jeff Vose, the former executive director of the Windham Mills Development Corp., and he’ll tell you he was lucky to take on the redevelopment of the American Thread mill complex when he did. “A lot of the funding was already in place, and I came in at the tail end of the demolition and […]

Legislative leaders insist they are committed to the state’s public campaign finance program, but advocates say repeated raids on the program’s funding-totaling $48 million so far-to balance the state budget is threatening its survival. Any more reductions to the program would be a “mortal blow,” says Nancy S. Nicolescu, spokesman for the State Elections Enforcement […]

If the Capitol seems quiet over the next two weeks, it could be because state officials are collectively holding their breath. Data compiled shortly after the April 15 income tax filing deadline traditionally have been a key indicator of how Connecticut’s economy, and its government finances, will fare over the rest of the calendar year. […]

Dan Malloy: The only gubernatorial candidate close to qualifying for public financing A byproduct of the John G. Rowland corruption scandal is that candidates who raise $250,000 in small amounts can qualify for $4.25 million in public financing to run for governor. But the Citizens’ Election Program, passed a year after Rowland’s resignation in 2004, […]

In a lengthy interview with New Haven Magazine late last year, Cheryl Norton talked about her goals as Southern Connecticut State University’s president. “Norton,” the magazine said when it published the interview in December, “is still kicking butt and taking names.” But by then, Norton had been notified that she was being dismissed from her […]

Fortunately for Rep. Andrew Fleischmann, his wife had the foresight to buy the Lexus of health care plans. But he soon discovered that meant little when he was diagnosed with cancer and later denied coverage at the hospital he chose for treatment. “All the bureaucrats on the phone said this is not covered in your […]

It was billed as a new plan to erase a $726 million deficit in next fiscal year’s budget without raising taxes. In fact, the proposal offered Thursday by the legislature’s Republican minority piggy-backed on Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s Feb. 3 budget plan, which was designed to cancel $686 million in projected red ink. The GOP […]

Some of Connecticut’s lowest-performing public schools could qualify for up to $2 million by agreeing to undergo major shake-ups under a $25.7 million federal stimulus grant announced Thursday. To be eligible, the schools would have to take steps such as replacing principals, overhauling curriculum, hiring new teachers, or converting to charter schools. Gov. M. Jodi […]

The state is preparing to launch a pilot program aimed a keeping victims of domestic violence safer, but even proponents say the high-tech solution comes with unanswered questions. The year-long pilot program will allow judges in Bridgeport, Danielson and Hartford to order domestic violence offenders who ignore restraining orders to wear GPS ankle bracelets. Their […]

A Superior Court judge refused to rule Thursday that Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz was unqualified to run for attorney general, reserving judgment until after final arguments next week. Judge Michael R. Sheldon rejected a motion by the Republican Party that Bysiewicz, a Democrat, had failed to prove she met the minimum statutory requirements […]

Republican candidate Linda McMahon has pumped another $8 million into her U.S. Senate campaign, bringing her personal investment in the race to about $14.5 million. Her latest contribution, which will be listed as a loan in her official filing, is listed in a brief summary of her fundraising for the first three months of 2010 […]

Just 2½ months before the end of the fiscal year, Gov. M. Jodi Rell and the state legislature agreed Wednesday on a plan to eliminate nearly 90 percent of the projected $371 million deficit without tax hikes or major reductions in municipal aid. The plan cuts million of dollars from social services, health care and […]

Pete DeGregorio has seen it for months: Customers come into his New Haven bait and tackle store, stock up on gear to go fishing in nearby Long Island Sound, then find out a license will cost them $40 per person. “It’s ridiculous. It’s just too expensive and people are walking out,” said DeGregorio, owner of […]

Connecticut’s public schools could be required as early as this year to keep most suspended students in alternative in-school programs rather than sending them home, a key legislative committee has decided. A law limiting out-of-school suspensions was passed in 2007 but has been delayed because some educators and municipal officials have said it would be […]

Gov. M. Jodi Rell pledged Wednesday to offer a new plan to help balance the next state budget by selling close to $1.8 billion in future revenues at a discount in exchange for $1.3 billion now. And this plan, according to the governor, would be one she would sign into law. That distinction is important […]