Connecticut Local Politics

The award goes to Daniela Altimari at Capitol Watch:
If Obama’s a socialist, his comrades aren’t happy
The post covers the response from the Socialist Party of Connecticut to President Obama’s plan to increase the number of American troops in Afghanistan:
We hope that the disenchanted popular movement that brought this administration into power on a tide of “hope” [...]

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A Courant investigation finds that marshals charged unnecessary fees.
The New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line faces stiff competition for federal dollars.
Lt. Governor Fedele blames the closure of Wright Tech on the economy and the budget.
As many as 1,200 teaching jobs may be lost in Connecticut this year.
Lots of intrigue among Middlebury’s Republicans.
Lastly, the governor and legislative leaders [...]

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I was hoping to have a comprehensive post up on Courtney’s town hall in Woodstock last night, but the weather is too darn nice and I’m too darn spent from a long week. I’ll have it up tomorrow, by which point it’ll be old news! Instead, just thought I’d touch on a couple of things:

The [...]

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Yes, it’s Monday again.
The veto session starts today, and can run for a maximum of three days before it must end. Things to watch for:

The health care bill–if this doesn’t come out first, it may not come out at all.
Will Republicans be able to slow things down enough to block a significant number of [...]

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Gov. Rell’s fundraising numbers are in: she raised $20K without trying even a little bit. She lags behind Malloy and Bysiewicz, though I don’t think that really means anything. She could snap her fingers and have all the money she needs. Certain to fuel speculation about her not running, though.
About ten percent of technical school [...]

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Looking for a state budget? Don’t hold your breath. However, many towns and cities are prepared to wait, at least for a little while.
Bristol’s police union president says that recent concessions were less about money and more about politics.
Massachusetts is now doubting the usefulness of its film tax credit. Someone get Jim Amann on that.
Faculty [...]

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It’s Monday. There is just one shopping day left before the end of the fiscal year!
The SEEC has asked the Chief State’s Attorney’s office to investigate the case of David Larkin, who was the campaign treasurer of Sen. John Fonfara’s (D-Hartford). He is accused of stealing campaign funds in 2006.
Budget talks were ongoing yesterday, [...]

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The Courant reports that despite the hiring freeze, over 900 new employees have been added to the state’s rolls. Many of them, to be fair, are in areas that are not affected by the freeze, like public safety. Some, however, are not.
When in doubt, raise cigarette taxes. It’s the tax that most people won’t complain [...]

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It’s Monday again.
4th of July fireworks displays may suffer as a result of the squeeze on local governments.
The governor’s staff is working to ensure that the state will keep running in case a budget doesn’t pass before the beginning of the new fiscal year.
Bridgeport’s city council is working to dissolve the city’s port authority [...]

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Dr. Petit thanked the governor for keeping the death penalty.
Some legislators are frustrated by the leadership’s refusal to limit debate on bills–which allowed Republican delaying tactics to succeed.
Local school districts will be getting federal stimulus money.
The budget impasse continues. But you knew that already.
Plans for a Metro-North station in West Haven are moving ahead.
How many [...]

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Both the NY Times and Hartford Courant blogs are reporting on Senator Chris Dodd’s latest employment of technology for a listening initiative – seeking advice from constituents on health care reform via YouTube.

Viewers can share their ideas and vote on others at the YouTube Senate Hub channel.
“This is an opportunity to discuss [...]

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We’re headed into the final week of the legislative session. Don’t expect a budget, though, that’s for later. Sorry, towns and cities.
Hartford’s city council passed a $535 million budget just ahead of a charter-imposed deadline.
Regional planners talked Friday about how to reduce sprawl in Connecticut.
Ryan Bingham, who made national news in 2005 when he became [...]

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Hillary at Yale:
A year after her alma mater dissed her on the presidential campaign trail, Yale opened its arms to Hillary Rodham Clinton Monday by awarding her an honorary degree.
The Stimulus-Stakes:
Nearly half the money, about $1.3 billion, is earmarked for Medicaid funding. There’s $750 million headed to schools; more than $430 million for transportation; and [...]

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It looks like Sen. Chris Dodd may have another Democratic challenger in Merrick Alpert. Story here.
The state fleet of cars is being reduced.
When it comes to the budget, the governor is in the driver’s seat–especially if there’s no budget by the end of the fiscal year on June 30th.
There’s some talk about raising the [...]

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The Courant took a close, revealing look at Sen. Gaffey’s PAC over the weekend. It isn’t pretty.
Sen. Dodd attacked his wife’s critics in an editorial.
As budget talks drag on, many groups are concerned about funding.
A new terminal at Bradley will be named after Ella Grasso.
Swine flu in Danbury! …Are we still worried about that? [...]

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The Courant ran a lengthy article on Sunday about Sen. Dodd’s wife and her income.
Republicans are still looking at combining DOT with DMV. But would they get to share the big pink building on the Berlin Turnpike?
The Lieberman campaign agreed to pay $50,000 as a fine for disbursing a large amount of petty cash in [...]

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It’s Monday, and time for another open forum!
So, what’s going to kill us this week? How about swine flu?
Sheff v. O’Neill turns twenty years old.
A complaint from conservative group Judicial Watch alleges that Chris Dodd’s Irish cottage amounts to an unreported gift.
Ned Lamont is still thinking about running for governor.
Kevin Rennie takes an ax to [...]

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Yes, it’s Monday again.
The Secretary of the State’s office is reporting that 3,477 businesses shut their doors during the first quarter of 2009, the most in a single quarter since the SOTS started keeping track in 2000.
The Connecticut Post reports that the national popular vote initiative could come up for a vote in the [...]

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A West Hartford man was among the sailors of the Maersk Alabama who fought back against pirates who took control of their ship.
Franklin residents are set to vote on whether their town should host a proposed new ash landfill.
The Dept. of Economic and Community Development says proposed tax hikes would cost the state jobs.
Several [...]

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The Courant editorial board sees the Democratic budget as a starting place. Meanwhile, negotiations have yet to start, and the clock is ticking.
Layoffs are feared in Norwich.
Michael Barone at U.S. News takes on Sen. Dodd. Helen Ubiñas says Dodd shouldn’t count on voters having short memories.
New Haven’s municipal public campaign financing program receives [...]

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