WASHINGTON – Wendy Allen of New Haven has so little income she pays the minimum rent under a public housing assistance program, yet that modest fee would triple in size under a proposal championed by the Trump administration. Housing advocates say the plan to change federal housing policy could undermine the state’s efforts to eliminate homelessness and place low-income families and individuals under new economic stress.
Dannel P. Malloy
Posted inMoney
Supreme Court prompts state to reconsider sports gambling
WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Monday cleared the way for supporters of the legalization of sports betting in Connecticut to make another attempt to authorize this type of gambling in the state, prompting Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz to say they would support a special legislative session to revisit the issue.
Posted inPolitics
Malloy delivers a funny farewell in midnight address
With a self-deprecating humor, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy addressed a joint convention of the General Assembly for the last time early Thursday, celebrating accomplishments of the past eight years and wryly acknowledging that he will leave politics as one of the least popular governors in the U.S.
Posted inHealth
Bills approved mandating ‘essential benefits,’ helping uninsured pregnant women
A bill headed to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s desk would give uninsured women the ability to sign up for health insurance after they learn they are pregnant. A second bill sent to the governor requires individual and small-group health insurance policies to cover the same 10 “essential health benefits” the Affordable Care Act mandates.
Posted inEnergy & Environment
Energy bill sails through Senate over ferocious opposition by environmental, solar groups
After months of acrimonious wrangling over a new energy policy already delayed by more than a year, the Connecticut Senate overwhelming passed a plan that will fundamentally reimagine how the state values the solar energy people generate on their roofs.
Posted inHealth
CT lawmakers ask Malloy to help shore up Obamacare
WASHINGTON — With little hope of shoring up the Affordable Care Act in Washington, congressional Democrats, including the members of Connecticut’s delegation to the U.S. House, are asking governors and state legislatures to help. But Connecticut may be limited in what it will do to strengthen Obamacare or shield it from attempts to gut it.
Posted inNews
Malloy pledges millions in state aid as EB ramps up sub production
WASHINGTON — Gov. Dannel P. Malloy on Tuesday pledged tens of millions of dollars in state funds, loans and tax breaks to help Electric Boat ramp up for increased submarine production in Connecticut.
Posted inPolitics
Malloy signs Dreamer bill, antidote to ‘toxic environment’
With a jab at the president’s views on immigration, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed legislation Friday that opens limited financial aid at public colleges in Connecticut to the undocumented “dreamers,” saying the new law was good policy and its bipartisan passage was positive politics.
Posted inPolitics
Blumenthal, Murphy sponsor bills to help homeowners with crumbling foundations
WASHINGTON – Connecticut’s U.S. senators on Wednesday introduced a pair of bills aimed at helping homeowners with crumbling foundations, but conceded it will be an “uphill fight” to win congressional approval of the legislation.
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Union president: Workers have postponed strike — for now
David Pickus, president of SEIU 1199 New England, appreciates the value of the care provided to the disabled by thousands of Connecticut workers. But he’s not sure state legislators do. He’ll be finding out in a few days, he says, when he meets with state officials to determine whether they can come to wage and program funding terms that will avert a strike tentatively scheduled for next month.
Posted inHealth
After abuse scandal, CT lawmakers push to reform Whiting
About a year after cruel, ongoing abuse of a Whiting Forensic patient was revealed, the legislature’s Public Health Committee has reported out three bills aimed at reforming the state’s only maximum-security psychiatric facility by increasing transparency and oversight.
Posted inMoney
Healthcare union suspends group-homes strike — for now
The state’s largest healthcare workers’ union suspended plans Friday to strike on April 18 at 250 group homes for the disabled to give state officials time to consider boosting funding for these services.
Posted inHealth
Bills to mandate health coverage die in committee but some support remains
The two bills that would establish an individual mandate in Connecticut failed to make it out of committee, but Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney said Wednesday he would consider reviving the proposal by offering an amendment to other legislation.
Posted inJustice
Malloy pushes one more time to expand juvenile court jurisdiction
“We know that if we can avoid exposing young adults who have committed less serious crimes to the adult criminal justice system, the less likely they are to reoffend or ultimately become incarcerated,” Malloy said.
Posted inHealth
Home-care contract wins bipartisan support ahead of vote
A bipartisan coalition of Connecticut lawmakers and the governor voiced support Tuesday for a proposed contract that will raise wages, provide workers’ compensation and increase training programs for about 8,500 home-care workers. The House and Senate are scheduled to vote on the contract Wednesday.
