WASHINGTON – Once again there’s been a mass shooting, at another school no less, and Washington once again has become the center of the debate on how to respond to these continuing massacres. But few expect any action.
John Larson
John Larson, a Democrat, has served as the U.S. representative for Connecticut’s first congressional district since 1999.
Posted inPolitics
Esty leads House delegation in fundraising
WASHINGTON — Rep. Elizabeth Esty raised the most campaign cash among the state’s delegation to the U.S. House, nearly $1.3 million, as Connecticut’s Democratic incumbents, for the most part, handily outraised their political rivals last year.
Posted inJustice, Money, Politics
Most CT lawmakers opposed bill that reopened government
WASHINGTON — Saying the deal was not good for Connecticut, most Connecticut lawmakers on Monday voted against a short-term spending bill that will reopen the government. The Connecticut Democrats who opposed the CR said it failed to fund programs important to the state and to protect young undocumented immigrants known as “dreamers.” But it did authorize the Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as HUSKY B in Connecticut, for six years.
Posted inHealth, Money, News, Politics
Shutdown impact on CT would depend on how long it lasts
WASHINGTON — The U.S. House approved a short-term spending bill late Thursday, but the legislation that would avert a government shutdown is expected to face a tough time in the Senate. A shutdown’s impact on Connecticut would depend on how long it lasts.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT lawmakers weigh revival of earmarks
WASHINGTON — Reviled as corrupting and anti-democratic, congressional earmarks may have a revival because of recent comments from President Donald Trump and GOP lawmakers’ growing frustration with the budget process. Their return is fine with Connecticut lawmakers who have used the process to steer tens of millions of dollars to special projects in the state.
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Connecticut Dems have big stake in November elections
WASHINGTON – Connecticut’s all-Democratic delegation to the U.S. House of Representatives has been hampered by being in the minority since 2010, but that may change this year, analysts say.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Senate, House approve tax plan CT lawmakers call disastrous for state
Updated at 1:15 a.m. Wednesday
WASHINGTON — With Vice President Mike Pence presiding, the Senate early Wednesday approved a massive tax overhaul on a strict party-line vote, deepening the partisan divide in Congress. Connecticut’s Democrats joined all others in their party to vote against the tax plan, calling it a giveaway to the rich that would hurt working Americans.
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Malloy, CT lawmakers blast FCC net neutrality rollback
WASHINGTON — The Federal Communications Commission’s partisan vote on Thursday to scrap “net neutrality” regulations and stop regulating internet delivery systems like utilities prompted partisan reaction. Most Democrats, including members of the state’s congressional delegation and Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy, condemned the move. Republicans supported it.
Posted inNews, Politics
Coltsville crawls toward formal national park status
WASHINGTON – It’s been nearly four years since Congress approved turning Hartford’s Coltsville neighborhood into a national park, and while there’s forward motion, the pace of progress has frustrated its boosters.
Posted inMoney, Politics
GOP approves tax bill over opposition of CT lawmakers
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House on Thursday approved a wide-ranging overhaul of the federal tax code that will lower taxes for many in Connecticut, while hiking them for some, especially in middle-class tax brackets. The Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy said 305,000 Connecticut households earning less than $197,000 would see a tax increase under the bill.
Posted inMoney, Politics
CT tax commissioner says GOP plan would force many in state to pay more
WASHINGTON — Connecticut Commissioner of Revenue Services Kevin Sullivan says the House GOP tax bill “could provide some economic stimulus…for states like Connecticut,” but he also said the plan is “fundamentally flawed” and that many in the state would end up owing more in federal income taxes.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Senate tax bill would have big impact on CT homeowners, small businesses
WASHINGTON – The Senate decided to go its own way in overhauling the nation’s tax code, and it’s plan would have a different impact on Connecticut taxpayers than a similar House bill. One big change is that Connecticut homeowners would no longer be able to deduct their property taxes on their federal returns.
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Larson sees ‘same result’ for GOP tax plan as Obamacare repeal
WASHINGTON — As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, Rep. John Larson is on the front lines of Democratic opposition to the Republican plan to overhaul the federal tax code. He says the proposal is especially bad for taxpayers in Connecticut and predicts it will follow the same path to failure as the GOP attempt to repeal and replace Obamacare.
Posted inHealth, Politics
GOP, Dems collide over funding of health centers, HUSKY B
WASHINGTON — With scant support from Democrats, the U.S. House of Representatives on Friday approved a bill that would authorize new spending for a health care program that covers about 17,000 children in Connecticut, and for the state’s community health centers, which serve many uninsured and Medicaid patients. But many are calling the bill dead on arrival in the Senate because it would take money from other health programs.
Posted inPolitics
Murphy campaign raises $6 million as CT Dems outpace rivals
WASHINGTON — Sen. Chris Murphy’s campaign said the senator has raised $1.3 million in the last quarter and has more than $6 million in his war chest. The state’s other congressional Democrats also are leaving GOP challengers in the dust when it come to raising political cash.