The Senate passed a proposal Wednesday to limit non-compete clauses in physician contracts and broaden the types of organizations that can employ doctors, a measure intended to address concerns among Senate leaders about doctors’ ability to remain in independent practice or return to it after joining a hospital system.
Len Fasano
Posted inPolitics
Well, one Senate is willing to give Merrick Garland a vote
The Senate voted Wednesday to endorse holding confirmation hearings and taking a vote on President Obama’s nomination of Merrick B. Garland to the U.S. Supreme Court, a step unlikely to gain notice in Washington, D.C. You see, it was the Connecticut Senate.
Posted inPolitics
In ’16 fight for Assembly, winner gets to pick up a big tab
It’s a question that draws knowing smiles, solemn nods and the occasional nervous laugh from Republicans: Given the depth of Connecticut’s fiscal crisis, would the GOP actually be better off remaining as the General Assembly’s minority party for at least another two years?
Posted inHealth, Money, Politics
Hospitals say state puts them between a rock and a hard place
As hospital officials describe it, state policy is pushing them in two opposing directions. Higher state taxes and funding cuts have added to the factors pushing independent community hospitals to join larger health systems, they say. But at the same time, legislators concerned about the growth of large health systems have been pushing for new restrictions on changes in hospital ownership, which hospital officials say makes it harder for them to adapt.
Posted inEducation, Health, Money
GOP offers cuts, furloughs to close deficit, restore hospital funds
Updated at 5 p.m.
House and Senate Republicans would furlough all state workers for two days, reduce legislators’ pay, eliminate posts in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration and reduce spending for education, social services and other programs to balance state finances by June 30.
Posted inJustice
Claims commissioner resigns amid controversy
J. Paul Vance Jr., the claims commissioner under fire for awarding $16.8 million to compensate four member members of a New Haven gang whose murder convictions were set aside, submitted a resignation letter last week, the governor’s office said Friday.
Posted inMoney, Politics
GOP plan includes end to bargaining for state retirement benefits
Republican legislators offered a blueprint Monday to curb future state spending by, among other things, no longer guaranteeing worker retirement benefits by contract. The plan also would require several new concessions by state employees, restrict borrowing and overtime, and accelerate closure of the Connecticut Juvenile Training School.
Posted inPolitics
A defense of U.S. Muslims as victims of jihadist terror
An Asian woman talked about the imprisonment of Americans of Japanese descent for three years during World War II. Noting the last night of Hanukkah, a rabbi recalled those times and places where Jews could only light their menorahs in secret. A gay man, now proudly out, talked about the days of being bullied as “the other.” They came to support America’s newest “other,” the Muslims.
Posted inEducation, Politics
Close juvenile jails? Legislators leave it up to the governor
Democratic legislators Tuesday retreated from a plan to move legislatively toward closing the controversial state-run jail for young offenders and decided to leave that decision up to Gov. Dannel P. Malloy.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Klarides: Cut future transportation, local aid initiatives
House Minority Leader Themis Klarides, R-Derby, called Tuesday on the General Assembly’s Democratic majority to reduce their new initiatives on future transportation and municipal aid in order to restore cuts recently imposed on hospitals and services to persons with disabilities.
Posted inCT Viewpoints
Call for DCF’s Katz to resign is about children, not politics
Recent reports concerning the Department of Children and Families, along with Commissioner Joette Katz’s long history of failure, misplaced priorities and lack of transparency and accountability, leave me with no confidence in her willingness or ability to openly and seriously confront critical issues within her agency. That’s why I felt compelled to call for her resignation.
Posted inEducation
Lawmakers split on DCF commissioner’s performance
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano called Thursday for the resignation of Commissioner Joette Katz, but Malloy and Rep. Diana Urban, co-chair of the legislative committee which oversees the Department of Children and Families, defended her.
Posted inEducation
Expert: Progress made, more needed at jails for young offenders
An expert’s review of DCF’s locked facilities for juvenile offenders highlights the successes of a juvenile justice system that incarcerates fewer youth than 10 years ago, but also raises questions about the adequacy of mental health services provided for at-risk youths both in and outside of jail.
Posted inPolitics
Legislators approve ‘Second Chance,’ body camera bills
The Connecticut House and Senate voted in quick succession Monday to adopt two major criminal justice bills intended to increase police accountability, end racially disparate sentencing and lower incarceration rates for non-violent crimes.
Posted inPolitics
A second chance for Malloy’s justice reforms
Salvaged by a late bipartisan deal, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s proposal to end racially disparate sentencing and reduce incarceration for non-violent crimes was passed at midnight Tuesday by the Senate and sent to the House.