Legislators lack data when requiring coverage

On the same day last year, the state House of Representatives took up two bills that mandated increased health insurance coverage for various medical conditions. One passed nearly unanimously and was celebrated by Gov. M. Jodi Rell at a bill-signing ceremony. The other divided the House along party lines and provoked a veto. The successful […]

The Democratic race for governor heated up today over Ned Lamont’s opposition to state legislation that would require businesses to offer paid sick days to employees. Dannel P. Malloy, the former Stamford mayor, criticized comments Lamont made in an interview with the Connecticut Mirror. “There are certain basic rights that should be afforded to any […]

Gov. M. Jodi Rell today named retired U.S. District Judge Alan H. Nevas to lead a multi-agency inquiry into the explosion that killed five workers Sunday at a power plant under construction in Middletown. A congressional committee also intends to hold a public hearing into the disaster, according to members of the state’s congressional delegatin. […]

With a campaign manager and media strategist in place, Ned Lamont is preparing to launch a run for governor by promising Democrats he has the drive, message and resources to compete with a wealthy Republican frontrunner, Tom Foley. “We’re not going to be outhustled. We’re not going to be outsmarted,” said Lamont, who is expected […]

During the long effort to desegregate Hartford’s schools, state officials helped create and support more than 20 magnet schools they hoped would attract minority children from the city and whites from nearby suburbs. They weren’t counting on suburban students like Brandon Rothschild. “I thought this would be the best fit for me,” said Rothschild, 17, […]

Towns across the state are required by law to spend thousands of taxpayer dollars to print notices in local newspapers to inform the public of government happenings – a mandate Gov. M. Jodi Rell wants the legislature to repeal. But at a time when they are already struggling to stay afloat,  newspapers say the loss […]

Towns across the state are required by law to spend thousands of taxpayer dollars to print notices in local newspapers to inform the public of government happenings – a mandate Gov. M. Jodi Rell is calling on the legislature to throw out. But at a time when they are already struggling to stay afloat,  newspapers […]

It was Jan. 7, 1981. Jimmy Carter was two weeks away from leaving the White House to make way for Ronald Reagan. William A. O’Neill had been governor for eight days, succeeding the dying Ella T. Grasso. A 29-year-old organizer and public-interest lobbyist named Mary M. Mushinsky entered the state House of Representatives that day […]

One day after its release, a key piece of Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposed $18.9 billion budget for the next fiscal year is in trouble, a harbinger of challenges awaiting legislators. Opposition mounted Thursday as word spread that one of Rell’s top options for borrowing $1.3 billion would require diverting money from special green-technology funds […]

Educators expressed relief Wednesday at being spared major cuts in school funding in Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s recommended budget adjustments, but they said the forecast remains ominous, including more layoffs. The key recommendation for schools was to hold the state’s Education Cost Sharing grant at its current level of just under $1.9 billion, avoiding some […]

With demand for safety net programs growing, Gov. M. Jodi Rell on Wednesday proposed a social services budget that depends heavily on one-time federal stimulus grant money but reduces state spending on programs including rental assistance and aid for the elderly, disabled, blind and homeless. Gov. M. Jodi Rell “We have a state government that […]

Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Mr. Williams, members and guests: We gather today to mark the opening of the 2010 legislative session and we do so at a time of continued challenge, continued anxiety. None of us need to be reminded of the unparalleled struggles that we have endured over the last 22 months. Our nation […]

As the state looks for ways to cut costs in a slumping economy, Gov. M. Jodi Rell proposed Wednesday to hold the line on major education programs. In her mid-term budget adjustments, the governor recommended no reductions in municipal aid for schools, preschool programs and college financial aid. The state’s Education Cost Sharing grant, the […]

In her final State of the State address, Gov. M. Jodi Rell Wednesday issued a call for political civility and fiscal responsibility, then proposed a budget that leaves a huge deficit to the next governor and legislature. Her proposed $18.9 billion budget for the fiscal year beginning July 1 relies on $2.7 billion in federal […]

Democratic lawmakers are expected to take up their first bill of the session that will extend health insurance assistance for laid-off workers, as outlined by the federal stimulus package. The stimulus law provides a 65 percent subsidy for laid-off individuals to pay for a temporary continuation of their health insurance plan for 15 months, and […]