http://ctlocalpolitics.net Connecticut politics and elections: discussion, analysis, opinion, news and maps Fri, 04 Jul 2008 04:51:58 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en A little-known Founder from Connecticut: William Williams William Williams was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, in 1731, and was a public servant for much of his life. He was a selectman in Lebanon, and later a representative to the colonial legislature. He eventually became Speaker of the House. It was said of ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/04/4th-of-july/ Gov. Rell is on board with legislative Republicans on the idea of a special session to enact a gas tax cap: “I can’t control Congress or OPEC, but I can control the taxes in the state,” Rell said Thursday. She said as gas prices continue to rise and as the ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/03/rell-with-gop-on-gas-tax-cap/ Comptroller Nancy Wyman reports that the deficit is smaller, but that revenues are still falling. Sen. Crisco denied public financing, because of "material impropriety." Apparently, a secretary signed the name of his campaign treasurer on an affidavit. Oops. Crisco is the first to be turned down by the SEEC for a ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/03/open-forum-82/ Pity the poor town of Preston. They have a great vacant site, the old Norwich Hospital site, which was for a while being courted by a project which would have been called Utopia Studios--a sort of theme park, film development center. The project, which was initially approved by voters in 2005, ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/02/development-heck/ What? So we're not a swing state after all? According to the latest Quinnipiac University poll (sorry, no link yet), Obama defeats McCain 56-35%. Share This http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/02/poll-obama-has-huge-lead/ Fuel prices being what they are, Republicans want the legislature to return in special session to cap the state gas tax at $3.40/gallon. Why? Because as wholesale fuel prices go up, so does the gross receipts tax. See Larry Cafero talk about it here: Responded Senate Democrats in a statement: The ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/01/republicans-want-another-special-session/ State Sen. David Cappiello, GOP candidate for Congress in the 5th district, unveiled his energy plan today. Cappeillo calls his plan "Real Energy Solutions," and you can read it on his website. Energy is on everyone's minds this week (for instance, Republicans want a special session of the legislature to ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/01/cappiello-unveils-energy-plan/ At the start of his address at a breakfast meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Connecticut today, July 1, 2008, Congressman Joe Courtney (D-2nd District) introduced Ann Evans from the Department of Commerce Export Assistance Center.  Ms. Evans will be directing a new office that will be located ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/01/courtney-touts-new-programs-for-chamber-of-commerce-of-eastern-ct/ Sen. Chris Dodd and Gov. Jodi Rell have slipped a little, popularity-wise, according to a new poll out from Quinnipiac. Rell doesn't have much of a reason to worry, though. 65% of people still approve of the way she's handling her job as governor. That's down from 76% in March, ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/07/01/quinnipiac-dodd-and-rell-lose-a-little-popularity/ Gov. Rell's Charter Oak Health Plan, meant to provide lower-cost insurance to those without, is now accepting applications. Which is pretty remarkable, considering that the plan received (and is still receiving) criticism from activists and others over relatively high premiums and the plan's bare-bones approach. Is anyone going to bite? Apparently so: ... http://ctlocalpolitics.net/2008/06/30/charter-oak-health-care-comes-to-life/