Sen. Andres Ayala Jr., D-Bridgeport, who declined an administration post in Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s first term, was named Monday as the next commissioner of motor vehicles, giving Malloy his first Hispanic department head. Lobbying is under way for a second.
Transportation
Posted inPodcasts
The Mirror’s 2nd State Budget Podcast: Transportation and Tolls
Connecticut Mirror State Budget Reporter Keith Phaneuf discusses infrastructure and transportation issues with Don Shubert of the Connecticut Construction Industry Association.
Posted inPolitics
Once a talk-show punchline, busway almost ready to roll
It was a topic to avoid on the campaign trail, a $567 million punch line for much of his first term — “the busway to nowhere.” But now that he is re-elected and it’s nearing completion, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is embracing the rebranded “CT fastrak.”
Posted inPolitics
Free of campaign, Malloy tries a new narrative
CROMWELL – Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a politician who’s never gone long in reminding voters of the weak economy and fiscal crisis he inherited, seemed to turn a page Tuesday morning with a speech focusing on the new term that begins Jan. 7.
Posted inPolitics
Currey succeeds DeFronzo at DAS; Bremby, Redeker stay at DSS, DOT
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced one reappointment and two administrative changes Friday: Donald J. DeFronzo is retiring as the commissioner of administrative services and will be succeeded by Melody Currey, who now runs the Department of Motor Vehicles.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Transportation a second-term priority for Malloy
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy outlined a major second-term policy goal Wednesday for the first time since his re-election, saying he will engage the public and political establishment in a broad discussion of how Connecticut must invest in transportation to compete economically in the 21st Century.
Posted inEducation, Money, Politics
Malloy may run afoul of his pledges whether taxing or cutting
Governor Dannel P. Malloy faces plenty of critics who argue he can’t balance the next state budget without breaking his campaign pledge not to raise taxes. But Malloy will be equally hard pressed to close next year’s $1.3 billion-to-$1.4 billion deficit with spending cuts, given the many pledges and fiscal principles he has espoused since taking office four years ago.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy to order emergency cuts, restrict hires to counter impending deficit
To reverse an impending state budget deficit, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s administration has told agencies it will order emergency spending cuts and freeze all-but-critical hiring.
Posted inNews
NTSB blames Metro-North for multiple failures in rail accidents
WASHINGTON – In final reports on five accidents that resulted in six fatalities, The National Transportation Safety Board faulted Metro North for poor track maintenance and lax inspections, inadequate training and questionable screening and scheduling of train engineers.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Malloy, Foley on economy: some harmony amidst discord
Despite their seeming ability to disagree about almost everything, Gov. Danel P. Malloy and Tom Foley share plenty of common ground about Connecticut’s future economic development. But it’s their respective track records that lead them to butt heads most frequently.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Towns plead for more aid to fix deteriorating roads and bridges
Recent increases in state funding for municipal road and bridge repair haven’t been sufficient to reverse decades of shrinking assistance, or to prevent the steady deterioration of local infrastructure, the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities reported Thursday.
Posted inMoney, Politics
A rough road ahead for transportation improvements
At first glance, Connecticut’s transportation system is in line for a big boost no matter who wins the race for governor. But as candidates tout their transportation platforms, they simultaneously espouse other fiscal positions that all but eliminate any hope of a major boost in transportation spending. The last of three parts.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Budget choices, fiscal maneuvers undermine transportation funding
A growing list of long-desired projects deemed unaffordable by transportation officials isn’t the only challenge awaiting the next governor. Critics say a decade’s worth of poor budgetary decisions has left billions of dollars’ worth transportation financing approved in name only – and not converted into actual dollars spent on highways, bridges and railroads. The second of three in a series.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Improving transportation in Connecticut: A decade of slow going
This year the state expects to rake in 40 percent more at the pumps, between wholesale and retail fuel taxes, than it did a decade ago. The transportation network hasn’t made similar progress. First of a three-day series.
Posted inMoney, Politics
Feds provide $161 million toward replacing balky Norwalk rail bridge
The federal government Wednesday awarded Connecticut a competitive grant of $161 million toward replacement of the 118-year-old Walk Bridge in Norwalk, a movable bridge whose failure in the open position halted Metro-North and Amtrak traffic twice this year on one of the busiest rail corridors in the U.S.