Connecticut Politics Today

Welcome News-Times Readers

2005-11-20T11:04:00.000-05:00

Although this site has been quite for a while, I guess that this News-Times story shows that there is a need (/guilted me), so I will keep it alive and try to bring you the important stories in CT politics.

2005-10-17T07:36:00.000-04:00

NO POSTS TODAY

2005-05-04T15:34:00.000-04:00

Had to be at work extra early. Will try to catch up with anything of importance tomorrow.

Democrats Retain Dominace of Groton City Council

2005-05-03T09:07:00.000-04:00

Despite recruiting a slate of candidiates that were known throughout the town, Groton Republicans were unable to gain a single seat in Monday's City Council election. Election officials reported 24.1% voter turnout.

Story here.

Is Redding the Future?

2005-05-03T08:59:00.000-04:00

Tom Condon certainly hopes so. He loves the planned development of a former 19th Century industrial park into a residential area, complete with housing, office, retail and artistic spaces.

Story here.

Rowland Still Under the Microscope

2005-05-03T08:55:00.000-04:00

Despite being in jail, ex-Gov. John Rowland is still being investigated by prosecutors. At issue is the legality of his consulting fees (5K a month) that he received after resigning from office.

Story here.

Hartford Loses to Milwaukee

2005-05-03T08:52:00.000-04:00

Hartford lost its bid to host the 2010 American Legion Convention to Milwaukee. Not enough hotel rooms was a major consideration.

Story here.

Danbury Confrontation With Illegals Gaining National Attention

2005-05-02T09:10:00.000-04:00

Danbury's attempt to deal with illegal immigrants has attracted attention beyond just Fairfield County. The Day had a story last week, Lou Dobbs dealt with it on Weds. on CNN, and it has been the buzz on certain right wing blogs and websites. This is an issue that will not go away, and the dangers to local politicians should be evident.

Story here.

End of the Car Tax?

2005-05-02T09:02:00.000-04:00

Although it was not considered by Senate Democrats in the Finance Committee, Sen. David Cappiello (R-Danbury) will propose on the Senate floor an end to the state's car tax. However, don't expect the tax to be repealed any time soon.

Story here.

A New Batch of Future Leaders Sworn In

2005-04-29T09:45:00.000-04:00

The Undergraduate Student Government (USG) at UConn swore in its new leaders this week.

Story here.

More on Danbury's Volleyball ban

2005-04-29T09:38:00.000-04:00

A Public Defender has commentary on the proposed ban on Volleyball games in Danbury, an attempt by the city to combat illegal immigrants.

Commentary here.

Immigrant Driver's Licenses

2005-04-29T09:35:00.000-04:00

Connecticut Law Blog is following a proposed Senate bill that would restricting the validity of the driver's license of someone who is not a citizen and is in the country on a visa of limited time-period, until the expiration of that visa.

Story and Commentary here.

Cellphone Restriction Bill Passes House

2005-04-29T09:22:00.000-04:00

The House passed a bill that would allow drivers to place and answer calls, but they would have to conduct their conversations with headphones or some other hands-free technology. In the past the bill has been bottled up in the Senate, but Lt. Gov. Sullivan, an opponent, no longer controls the Senate agenda, increasing the likelihood of passing.

The bill would also ban drivers under 18 from using cellphones at all, and impose a $100 for driving while distracted, such as eating or drinking, leads to a moving violation.

Stories here and here.

Minimum Wage Increase Approved

2005-04-29T09:11:00.000-04:00

The House voted 96-44 to increase the state minimum wage to $7.65 in 2007. The bill passed with primarily Democratic support. No word on the increase's fate with in the Senate or the Governor.

Storie here, here and here.

More High School Issues

2005-04-28T09:58:00.000-04:00

House Minority Leader Robert Ward (R-North Branford) has proposed legislation that would institute steroid testing for high school athletes. The bill would affect almost 100,00 students in the state.

Story here.

Now For the Serious Issues Facing Connecticut

2005-04-28T09:54:00.000-04:00

The Senate has passed a bill that bans the sale of soda at schools, including school fundraisers. Next the Senate will certainly take up the pressing issue of making sure that shoes laces are always tied.

Story here.

Can't We All Just get Along

2005-04-28T09:50:00.000-04:00

Gov. Rell and House Speaker James Amann continue to be at loggerheads over the budget, but appear to be doing so in nicer terms.

Story here.

Democrats Blink

2005-04-27T06:59:00.000-04:00

In a bow to the reality that they were losing the PR battle of the budget, Democrats in Hartford postponed sending a budget to Gov. Rell, in the face of her threats to veto it.

Story here.

Emission Program in Trouble Again

2005-04-27T06:46:00.000-04:00

According to AG Blumenthal, portions of the much embattled emission testing program may be illegal, since there is a cap of $10 a year for testing, each test is $20, and some cars may have to be tested in consecutive years. (Figures this would happen the week after I finally get my car tested.

Story here.

State Ethics Problems

2005-04-27T06:42:00.000-04:00

In a state that has seen a Governor and several mayors packed off to jail, it probably isn't shocking to find out that only 59 percent of towns have written codes of ethics for public officials. A proposed bill in the legislature would change that.

Story here.

2006 races

2005-04-26T13:52:00.000-04:00

The Courant runs down the current state of the 2006 US House races.

Story here.

Storrs Survives

2005-04-25T08:54:00.000-04:00

UConn apparently survived another Spring Weekend.

Story here.

Danbury's Illegal Immigration Issue

2005-04-25T08:49:00.000-04:00

The New London Day has a story on the steps that Danbury has been taking to deal with illegal immigrants -- which may represent 10-15,000 people in the city of 75,000.

Story here.

Civil Unions Protests

2005-04-25T08:44:00.000-04:00

Opponents of Connecticut's new Civil Unions law (both those opposing any law, and those favoring marriage rights) rallied this weekend at the Capitol.

Stories here, here and here.

Filibuster Comes to Connecticut

2005-04-25T08:37:00.000-04:00

Judge Janice Brown, nominated to the DC Circuit Court of Appeals by President Bush and filibustered by Democrats in the Senate, was in Connecticut this past weekend. Her comments certainly were not the soothing type likely to get Democrats eager to confirm her.

Story here.