The Connecticut AFL-CIO vented Thursday at Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Democratic legislators, but the labor federation will convene again Friday, probably to endorse some of the same Democrats accused of betraying labor on the state budget. The reason is a labor report card: The best-ranked Republicans have lifetime scores of 60 percent, lower than the worst-ranked Democrat.
Labor
Posted inPolitics
Labor and Connecticut Democrats: Can this marriage be saved?
The awkward estrangement of labor and the Connecticut Democratic Party: The head of the AFL-CIO, who organized a labor boycott of the Democrats’ annual fundraising dinner to protest the state budget was rejected this week as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Only half of planned state layoffs ordered as key deadline nears
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s efforts to reduce the state’s workforce are progressing more slowly than originally planned — an issue that could worsen a likely deficit this fiscal year and pose a bigger threat to finances after July 1.
Posted inMoney
Pew report: CT deep in debt, even considering its high income
Even weighed against Connecticut’s high per capita income, the state’s bonded debt and unfunded retirement benefits outrank most other states’, according to a new analysis by The Pew Charitable Trusts.
Posted inMoney
More than 900 state jobs eliminated since layoffs began
More than 900 state full-time employees have been laid off since the Executive and Judicial branches began downsizing earlier this spring, according to reports issued late this week. In addition, 61 temporary workers have lost their jobs.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
A new Connecticut optimism is young, energetic — and socialistic
A 2011 Pew poll reported a higher opinion of socialism than capitalism among those aged 18 to 30. I doubted it, must be a fluke, and paid no attention. Five years later on the New Haven Green, on college campuses, in workplaces and neighborhoods I see this opinion taking positive shape.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
If raising the minimum wage kills jobs, why don’t we lower it?
If raising the federal minimum wage would hurt businesses, as many aver, then it stands to reason that lowering the federal standard from $7.25 an hour would help. What are we waiting for? How about $5, perchance $3 an hour? That would be a steroid injection for our sluggish economy. Connecticut, which keeps raising its lowest wage, just doesn’t get it.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money, Politics, Transportation
House sends lean, overdue CT budget to Malloy’s desk
Updated at 11:08 p.m.
The Democrat-controlled House voted 74-70 to adopt a $19.76 billion budget that closes a nearly $1 billion hole in the 2016-17 fiscal year without raising taxes or tapping Connecticut’s modest emergency reserve. Eight Democrats joined with all 62 Republicans present to oppose the measure.
Posted inEducation, Health, Justice, Money, Politics
A handshake, then a vote on Connecticut’s next budget
Updated at 11:10 p.m.
The Senate adopted a $19.76 billion budget Thursday that would eliminate a nearly $1 billion deficit and significantly reduce larger shortfalls after the November state elections.
Posted inEducation, Health, Justice, Money, Politics, Transportation
Nonpartisan analysts: Tentative CT budget wipes away lots of red ink
The tentative plan to close a $1 billion hole in Connecticut’s finances starting July 1 also would wipe away more than 40 percent of the red ink threatening state government after the November elections, nonpartisan fiscal analysts reported Tuesday evening.
Posted inNews
Malloy to veto retirement security bill if revisions aren’t made
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Friday he would veto a heavily lobbied bill establishing a private-sector retirement program overseen by a quasi-public authority unless revisions are made in special session next week.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Overtime: General Assembly to return next week for budget vote
The leaders of the House and Senate Democratic majorities gave up Wednesday on adopting a new state budget before the legislature’s constitutional adjournment deadline of midnight, instead scheduling a special session for next week to finish its business for 2016.
Posted inEducation, Health, Justice, Money, Politics
Democrats, governor strike budget deal, aim for Wednesday vote
Updated at 1 a.m. Wednesday
Democratic legislators ended a tense day of negotiations Tuesday by announcing a deal on a new state budget that the General Assembly will race to adopt Wednesday before the constitutional adjournment deadline of midnight.
Posted inJustice, Money, Politics
CT judiciary says Malloy’s budget means another 600 layoffs
Connecticut’s Judicial Branch warned late Monday that Gov. Dannel. P. Malloy’s latest budget proposal would force the branch to increase layoffs by at least 600, losing one-fifth of all staff.
Posted inPolitics
Connecticut Senate debates, for a while, a $12 minimum wage
The leader of the Connecticut Senate introduced a surprise measure Thursday to raise the hourly minimum wage to $12 by Jan. 1, 2020, only to retreat in the face of an immediate Republican filibuster and a cool reception by the House of Representatives.