Plan would tap “green” fund

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 […]

With a legal cloud hanging over Susan Bysiewicz’s candidacy for attorney general, the Democratic state chairwoman said Tuesday night she might ask a court to clarify Bysiewicz’s status with a declaratory ruling. Nancy DiNardo said that a legal opinion issued earlier by Attorney General Richard Blumenthal did not resolve whether Bysiewicz meets the statutory requirements […]

Is there a 20-year curse on Connecticut governors? Chief executives elected in 1950, 1970 and 1990 served only one term; will the pattern recur in 2010? Whoever is elected this fall can expect to start work in January 2011 with the same problems faced by Thomas J. Meskill in 1971 and Lowell P. Weicker Jr. […]

A group of Democratic lawmakers laid out their recommendations to create jobs and jumpstart the economy the day before the legislature convenes. The plan – compiled from input from business owners, economists and legislators – recommends the state bond $12 million for “high-potential entrepreneurs”, create a tax credit for those investing in start-up companies, use […]

Gov. M. Jodi Rell is again calling on the legislature to expand her budget-cutting authority as the state’s financial mess continues. “I am reiterating my call to give not just this governor but all who will follow me expanded authority to make budget rescissions,” Rell said. In recent months, Rell cut $67.2 million from the […]

Companies, organizations and others hoping to influence government decisions spent $38.6 million lobbying, said a report released on the eve on the 2010 legislative session – $1 million less than was spent the previous year, but $11.2 million more than the year before passage of a state law barring campaign contributions by lobbyists. In 2009, […]

Attorney General Richard Blumenthal issued a legal opinion today that does nothing to diminish the questions surrounding Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz’s qualifications for attorney general. Blumenthal said that a state law requiring that the state attorney general have “at least 10 years’ active practice of law” is constitutional, but he declined to clarify […]

BETHEL — Mark Boughton struck a populist tone as he entered the race for governor Monday night, touting his record as Danbury’s mayor and needling his leading rival for the Republican nomination as offering little but a fat checkbook. “Ladies and gentlemen, elections should not be about the size of your checkbook, or who has […]

Months after the state’s public campaign finance system was struck down by the U.S. district court, the legislature’s election committee shed some light on what their fix will include. Rep. James F. Spallone, co-chairman of the Government Administration and Elections committee, said Monday the bill to be introduced when the legislature convenes Wednesday will likely […]