Connecticut
updated
6:30 p.m.
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Cross post from Jon Pelto's Wait What?" It's a very valid question. It certainly appeared that StudentsFirst, Excel Brideport, Teach for America - Connecticut Chapter and other groups pushing Governor Malloy's "education reform" bill engaged in lobbying activities that were not properly reported to the Office of State Ethics. If they did engage in those activities they could face signi...
My Left Nutmeg - 11:03 a.m. - 10 clicks 
I guess it's safe to say that after last night's convention, the each of candidates on the Democratic primary ticket are in full spin mode. Donovan press release: The Connecticut Democratic Party today at the 5th Congressional District convention overwhelmingly endorsed Speaker of the House Chris Donovan as the 5th Congressional District candidate for Congress in 2012. Donovan won the...
My Left Nutmeg - Tue 10:26 a.m. - 12 clicks
Well oh well, that was an interesting night...can't wait to hear about the switch of votes in Waterbury (video to come). Donovan 216, Esty 66, Roberti 54 (needed for 15 percent=51 percent). Full video recap in the A.M. ...
My Left Nutmeg - Mon 8:47 p.m. - 12 clicks
Today, Democratic delegates in the 5th district will cast their ballots and endorse either Chris Donovan , Elizabeth Esty , or Dan Roberti as their choice for Congress. I'll be on hand at the Rotella Magnet School (380 Pierpont Rd, Waterbury CT) to cover tonight's convention. Depending on the set-up, I'll be able to provide a live video stream of the proceedings. If you wish to comment on...
My Left Nutmeg - Mon 2:26 p.m. - 14 clicks
More than 230,000 people stopped being eligible for unemployment insurance benefits over the weekend—not because they got jobs, but because the emergency extended benefits program providing their benefits was cut as part of the payroll tax deal earlier this year. The number of weeks of benefits available in states drop as unemployment drops, which hit California, Colorado, Connecticut, Flo...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Mon 1:23 p.m. - 17 clicks
Today, Democratic delegates in the 5th district will cast their ballots and endorse either Chris Donovan , Elizabeth Esty , or Dan Roberti as their choice for Congress. I'll be on hand at the Rotella Magnet School (380 Pierpont Rd, Waterbury CT) to cover tonight's convention. Depending on the set-up, I'll be able to provide a live video stream of the proceedings. If you wish to comment on ...
Hat City - Mon 12:03 p.m. - 2 clicks
Today’s convention was they way they all should be:short and sweet. Well that’s not quite sure. The 2006 convention was long, but far sweeter, as that was the year Ned Lamont shocked everyone with the high percentage of votes he got at the convention, doing far better than Susan Bysiewicz did this year. But, there [...]...
CT Blue - Sat 6:09 p.m. - 22 clicks
Michelle Rhee (Hyungwon Kang/Reuters) There's good news for public education in Alabama and Connecticut, as the Michelle Rhee breed of privatizers and corporate reformers were thwarted in both states, at least partially and at least for now. In Alabama , "a radical, far-reaching charter bill that would have allowed wholesale privatization of public education in the state" was declared de...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Fri 1:06 p.m. - 23 clicks
I’m a frequent critic of the New London Day, so it’s only fair that I give credit when they do something right, and they’ve done just that recently. In my other life I spend a lot of time in housing court, and the subject of their recent exposé is not unknown to me. Zane Megos [...]...
CT Blue - May 8 - 22 clicks
A bill that ensures that Connecticut can use Project Labor Agreements (PLAs) on public works projects cleared the State Senate with a 32-3 vote last week and, yesterday, cleared the House by an equally sizable margin . A legal battle in Hartford brought to light the need for this important legislation which allows the local hire, diversity, wage and safety standards that only PLAs have a hist...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - May 8 - 7 clicks
Cross post from HatCityBLOG I guess crime pays... Despite a state law aimed at stripping such benefits from politicians who use their office for corruption and personal gain, former Connecticut Gov. John Rowland will be paid more than $1.3 million by taxpayers over the next 20 years in pension benefits, plus some darn good health care coverage. Rowland and his wife are eligible to g...
Hat City - May 6 - 2 clicks
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy (Official photo) Over the past year, Republicans in states like Wisconsin and Ohio have restricted, or tried to restrict, collective bargaining rights. But in Connecticut, the state legislature has passed and Gov. Dannel Malloy plans to sign a bill giving collective bargaining rights to home care and daycare workers paid through public programs. Both dayca...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - May 4
Three cheers for the Connecticut House, for bucking the tide and wanting to increase voter turnout by making voter registration simpler, even over the cries of FRAUD!!! coming from Republican members. Little did we know the threat posed by bratty college students from Virginia looking to adulterate elections. By a vote of 83-59, the House voted allow the same-day registration, despite c...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - May 1
Last night, after a six hour debate, the Connecticut House of Representatives passed a same day voter registration bill. Now, it's on to the Senate, where prospects seem good, and then on to the Governor who is fully supportive. This was a great victory for the pretty basic idea that voting is good. State Representative Russ Morin (D): "People have died for this right to vote,'' Morin said o...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - May 1
This post from the newly launched website CT Talking is required reading for people who commute from Waterbury to Danbury. On the last day of April, management of the Connecticut State Police has ordered troopers to stage another "ticket blitz" today in Waterbury and Danbury, according to the state police union. xtra troopers are on the roads of western Connecticut on Routes 8 and I-84. [...
Hat City - Apr 30
Connecticut's Governor, Dannell P. Malloy, decided to take on the thorny problem of improving the State's public schools. Malloy seems to operate with a very shallow knowledge base, and makes pronouncements and decisions that reflect his lack of understanding of an issue. Once having taken a position, the Governor finds it very difficult, if not impossible, to allow for any compromis...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Apr 28
Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy signed legislation repealing the death penalty today, making Connecticut the fifth state to do so in five years. ...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Apr 25
I'm Chris Donovan and as my race in Connecticut heats up, I wanted to introduce myself to you. I have been fighting for working families for my entire life . As Chair of the Labor Committee, Majority Leader, and now Speaker of the Connecticut House of Representatives, I took the lead in fighting, successfully, for 12 minimum wage increases, for the strongest system of publicly financed elec...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Apr 17
In news that is huge everywhere but here at dKos (where it didn't even make it into the Overnight News Digest), Connecticut yesterday repealed its death penalty , replacing it with life without parole. The legislation passed the Connecticut House in an overwhelming bipartisan landslide of 86-62. Governor Daniel Malloy has already pledged to sign the bill, and when he does, Connectic...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Apr 12
"What kind of society do we want for our children?" That is the simple, yet profound, question asked by Connecticut State Senator Gayle Slossberg (D-Milford) during debate on the pending legislation that would abolish the death penalty in Connecticut. Her speech, in its entirety, is below the fold. The State Senate answered with their votes: by a margin of 20-16, Connecticut...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Apr 5
I know, I know, it's been a while since I've posted something here. Rest assured I'm still very active in Danbury matters...just now it's more behind the scenes as I'm a bit overwhelemed with digging through archives and doing MAJOR research on several hot button issues in the city. Needless to say that between my research and taking care of things at home that my time is somewhat limited. I'll...
Hat City - Apr 2
Connecticut is on the verge. Last week the Joint Judiciary Committee voted 24 to 19 on legislation to repeal the state's death penalty. Next up is the Senate floor vote - and that vote could vote as early as next week. If you live in Connecticut, now is the time to contact your legislators and tell them to support repeal of the death penalty. If you don't live in Connecticut, reach out to ...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Mar 29
Rep. Chris Murphy Quinnipiac . 3/14-19. Registered voters. MoE ±2.4% (±3.9% for Democratic sample, ±4.7% for Republican sample). ( 9/8-13 results ): Chris Murphy (D) : 52 (49) Linda McMahon (R) : 37 (38) Undecided : 9 (11) Chris Murphy (D) : 41 (43) Chris Shays (R) : 40 (37) Undecided : 17 (17) Susan Bysiewicz (D) : 49 (46) Linda McMahon (R) : 39 (38) Undecided : 9 (12...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Mar 22
TOPIC: Gov. Dannel Malloy education town hall meeting, Bethel CT ...
Hat City - Mar 20
Glad to see that Tom Big(o)T Bennett and his ilk haven't missed a beat... The above moronic comment from Danbury's finest is just a sample of the over-the-top racist comments that's spreading like wildfire throughout the city in response to the sentencing of Danbury landlord Joe DaSilva for causing the death of Ecuadorian immigrant Luis Encalada Bueno. Since word of DaSilva's sen...
Hat City - Mar 20
After Danbury landlord Joe DaSilva was sentenced to 18 months incarceration for causing the death of Ecuadorian immigrant Luis Encalada Bueno , I had a chance to speak to the prosecutor in the case, Assistant State's Attorney Sharmese Hodge, to get her take on the judge's decision. For those who don't know, Hodge, a Western Connecticut State University alum who studied law at George Wash...
Hat City - Mar 19
Teachers wait to get into the Louisiana Capitol. ( @LAEducators ) Education reform bills that would scapegoat teachers rather than actually improving schooling in Connecticut and Louisiana drew rather different demonstrations this week. In Louisiana, many schools canceled classes as teachers traveled to Baton Rouge to protest Republican Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to expand charter schools...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Mar 15
Dear Kossacks, Recently Gov. Malloy introduced a bill for educational reform written by hedge fund managers and their lackeys. It is a bill that is not only union killing, but destroys public education as we know it in a blatant attempt to give unprecedented access to for profit schools. Malloy betrayed us, lied to us after promising a seat at the table to craft real, meaningful re...
DailyKos (Connecticut) - Mar 12
