The sudden hue and cry about a high-level personnel decision on one of four campuses of the Connecticut State University System (CSUS) seems exaggerated, shortsighted, and we think misdirected. For decades we have known David Carter, the CSUS chancellor since 2006, to be an honorable and effective champion for higher education in our state. We […]

The State Elections Enforcement Commission today approved the first public-financing grants to a statewide candidate: nearly $2.2 million for Dan Malloy, the endorsed Democratic candidate for governor. “Congratulations to the Malloy campaign,” said Stephen F. Cashman, the commission chairman. “And a first for the commission, as well.” The commission approved a $1.25 million grant for […]

Texting while driving is now illegal in Connecticut, as Gov. M. Jodi Rell signed the bill into law today. The new law also increases fines for talking on a cell phone while driving; to $100 on the first offense, $150 for the second offense and $200 for subsequent offenses. It also ends the policy of giving […]

Democrat Dan Malloy has picked up 6-percentage points in a matchup with Republican Tom Foley in the latest Rasmussen poll and now leads, 44 percent to 35 percent. Ramussen pitted the endorsed Democrat against the endorsed Republican, but both candidates face primaries. Rasmussen did not poll to test who was stronger in their respective primaries. […]

Another poll today shows Richard Blumenthal with more than a 20-percentage point lead in the U.S. Senate race, despite a recent controversy over misstatements about his Vietnam-era military record. The Rasmussen survey found  Blumenthal ahead of Republican Linda McMahon, 56 percent to 33 percent. He leads Peter Schiff, a Republican trying to force a primary […]

A state panel released a report today outlining a lack of regulatory oversight and other factors that went wrong surrounding the explosion at Kleen Energy Systems construction site in Middletown. The explosion, that killed six workers in February, was blamed in the report on a procedure known as “gas blowing” that removes debris from a […]

NEW BRITAIN – The Democratic gubernatorial campaigns of Dan Malloy and Ned Lamont surprised no one last week with their race to criticize Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s veto of an energy reform bill. Packed into one failed bill were enough talking points to fuel two campaigns: high electric rates, clean energy and every candidate’s favorite […]

As the economy soured over the past few years, enrollment of low-income families on the state’s HUSKY health insurance plan has spiked to an all-time high, a trend that is costing the state unprecedented amounts to cover. Enrollment in HUSKY has increased by 10 percent in the past year and by 15 percent since the […]

Proposals to close prisons and speed up inmate releases have become increasingly popular in recent years as state officials grapple with continuing budget deficits of massive proportions. But while Connecticut’s inmate population has receded from the record mark of nearly 20,000 two years ago, research from criminal justice planners says the number of prisoners the […]

A new curriculum, better support from local school officials, and the promise of a remodeled building should give Stamford’s troubled J.M. Wright Technical High School the boost it needs to re-open by 2014, a new report says. State officials closed the school last year because of plummeting enrollment, but a report to the State Board […]

The death of a Rocky Hill student in a school bus crash earlier this year has spurred a new law, signed today by Gov. M. Jodi Rell, that provides tax incentives to school systems that use buses with 3-point seat belts. The new law exempts school systems from paying about half of the sales tax on buses equipped with […]

Last month, childcare centers were bracing themselves for another round of major budget cuts from the state as lawmakers grappled with closing a billion dollar budget hole. But this week 5,500 childcare centers in Connecticut are opening their mail to find a check from the state for thousands of dollars — a third piece of […]

Democrat Dan Malloy’s campaign for governor could receive as much as $2.18 million Thursday when he is expected to become the first statewide candidate approved for public financing under the Citizens’ Election Program. But the only Republican gubernatorial candidate seeking public financing for his campaign, Lt. Gov. Michael C. Fedele, is not expected to raise […]

State government’s credit card still carries a large balance, but it’s no longer on pace to shatter its limit. That’s due to dozens of projects being scrapped and modest revenue growth that expanded Connecticut’s borrowing capacity. According to new estimates from state Treasurer Denise L. Nappier, the state will enter the new fiscal year on […]