Economists say Connecticut will continue to lose jobs for another two years. His own analysts are predicting that the next governor and legislature will face a $3.8 billion deficit, an astonishing 20 percent hole in the state budget. But House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan is bullish on Connecticut’s economy. In speeches to skeptical business groups […]

As enrollment hit record lows at Stamford’s state-operated Wright Technical High School last year, and per-student costs soared to $27,000, state education officials decided they had run out of options. Facing a deep recession and intense pressure to slash budgets, they shut down the troubled school. But the closing unleashed a wave of anger, including […]

With the state facing billions in deficits in coming years, lawmakers are warming to the idea of a new revenue stream: Keno gambling. “We are in tough economic times and let’s face it, there’s a number of people who have trouble not voting for things that cost money,” said Rep. Stephen D. Dargan, D-West Haven. […]

The chairman of the state’s ethics panel violated state law by donating $250 to Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and two other Republican candidates vying for the legislature in 2008, reports the Office of State Ethics. G. Kenneth Bernhard, chairman of the Citizen’s Ethics Advisory Board and an attorney from Westport, said he was “unaware […]

The state’s Judicial Branch either is at risk of losing its independence due to crippling budget cuts, or wants to be handled with fiscal kid gloves, depending on who was offering testimony Friday before a state legislative panel. Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s budget director urged the Judiciary Committee to reject a measure that would restore […]

U.S. Rep. Jim Himes, D-4th District, moved quickly to distance himself from Democratic Congressman Charles Rangel of New York, who was admonished today by the House Ethics Committtee. Himes said he would donate to charity campaign contributions from Rangel, a noted rainmaker for Democrats. “I admire Mr. Rangel for his decades of leadership on civil […]

A state legislative panel agreed this week to consider a bill that would bar a controversial funding cut for work and social programs for the mentally retarded. The Human Services Committee raised a bill that would block the reduction until after Jan. 1, 2011, when a new group studying program rates is scheduled to report […]

State Senator Andrew W. Roraback announced today he is exploring a run for attorney general. “I’ve always enjoyed righting wrongs,” he said. “The attorney general is the person you turn to to right an injustice.” State Sen. Roraback A lawyer since 1987 at his family’s law firm in Torrington, Roraback said his 16 years in […]

State lawmakers will hear testimony on a bill to extend the statute of limitations for civil actions in child sex abuse cases — an effort to allow dozens of victims of Dr. George Reardon to sue even though their case is too old under state law. Last year, a similar bill also had a public […]

STAMFORD — Ten were invited. Nine showed up. Five Republican and four Democratic contenders for governor came here in the snow this morning to answer one question: “Who will lead Connecticut’s recovery?” The Business Council of Fairfield County heard a broad consensus on the state of government in Hartford: Common adjectives were “broke” and “out […]

A year after Gov. M. Jodi Rell vetoed a bill to abolish the death penalty, Republican legislators are proposing legislation intended to speed up executions in Connecticut. One of the bill’s sponsors concedes that passage is unlikely, but the proposal ensures that capital punishment will get a public hearing in the run-up to the 2010 […]

Fed up with telemarketing calls? The next one could help Connecticut pay its bills. Looking to buy a used gun?  The state might get in the business of selling weapons seized by the police. And if you’re not paying your fair share of taxes-at least in the state’s view-lots of folks in Hartford are thinking […]

Is the state doing enough to promote a new health plan that promises better care by bypassing insurance companies? Advocates say no, but the commissioner responsible for the program–and some health professionals–argue that the plan puts a heavy administrative burden on physicians without adequate reimbursement. “The word is out. This is a choice program and […]

Southern Connecticut State University President Cheryl J. Norton has requested a sabbatical leave starting in June and will retire next year, she announced today. “After much thought and deliberation, I have come to the decision that for both personal and professional reasons it is time for me to move on,” Norton said in a message […]

Thousands of people have died in Connecticut because of their lack of health insurance says a report released today, and a group of state officials say the findings show the need for more scrutiny of rate increases. “Let’s have accountability on these rate increases,” said House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan. Currently the Connecticut Insurance Department […]