Editorials - Courant.com

DOT Should Take Another Look At Flower Street Passage

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:28:00 GMT

Busway Issue: Can't state find a bike/ped passage between two avenues?

At the risk of over-covering an issue in The Courant's backyard (literally), there is a valid policy question involved in the Flower Street controversy. If government wants to reduce automobile use, to conserve energy and promote health, should it be making it harder to walk and bike?

Chris Donovan Too Close To Shady Dealings

Fri, 17 May 2013 23:28:00 GMT

Former House Speaker: If not indictable, at least contemptible

Let's start by emphasizing, again, that former state House Speaker Chris Donovan has not been indicted as a result of the federal criminal probe into an illegal scheme to fill the coffers of his congressional campaign last year, a campaign he eventually lost.

Obama's Really Bad Week Likely To Last Much Longer

Kevin Rennie — Fri, 17 May 2013 23:04:00 GMT

A president, any president, is entering a trough when friends or detractors drag out creepy John Dean to offer an opinion on the scale of a scandal. The obstructor of justice from the Watergate scandal has been on display lately as a trifecta of controversies diminish the Obama administration.

Two Bad Ways To Expand Workers' Comp

Thu, 16 May 2013 22:21:00 GMT

Bills expanding benefits are bad public policy

The state's former "heart and hypertension law" was a gold-plated albatross, a boondoggle for police and fire unions, a classic example of good intentions waylaid by bad science.

Justice Department's Phone Records Grab Chilling

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:23:00 GMT

Every presidential administration hates leaks of classified or politically sensitive information and promises to put a stop to them. The Obama administration's baying-bloodhound chase of suspected leakers, however, is beyond the pale.

No More Golf Tourneys For Electric Grid Overseer

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:20:58 GMT

State regulators cut agency's rate increase request

We guess that most people in New England haven't the faintest idea what ISO New England is, or does. That may be part of the problem.

CO2 Milestone Tips Us Into 'Meltdown' Realm

Robert M. Thorson — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:12:00 GMT

Last week, the world got a case of sticker shock. For the first time in recorded history, the price of our energy-rich lifestyle hit the magic number of 400 parts-per-million carbon dioxide in our atmosphere.

Greener Cities Will Push Cars To The Curb

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:12:00 GMT

What will our cities look like by mid-century as America's population expands a projected 36 percent, to some 440 million?

Let's Push The Pedals On Biking To Work

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:05:00 GMT

It's time to get serious about bike commuting

Friday is National Bike to Work Day, and more than 20 bike-to-work breakfasts and other events are scheduled around the state. Hartford's event will take place on the East Lawn of the Old State House.

Adolescent Offenders Shouldn't Be Tried As Adults

Wed, 15 May 2013 23:05:00 GMT

Juveniles are poorly served by adult rules

As most parents are acutely aware, and scientists have proved, the brains of adolescents are not fully developed. That's why youngsters are often impulsive, reckless and blissfully unaware of the consequences of their actions.

CO2 Milestone Tips Us Into 'Meltdown' Realm

Wed, 15 May 2013 20:55:44 GMT

New City Manager Will Help Hartford Get Back On Track

Tue, 14 May 2013 23:03:00 GMT

Withdrawal of Saundra Kee Borges creates an opportunity

The decision by Saundra Kee Borges to withdraw from consideration as Hartford's chief operating officer offers Mayor Pedro Segarra a chance to move the management of the city in a new direction. He would be wise to do so.

No More Golf Tourneys For Electric Grid Overseer

Mon, 13 May 2013 22:04:00 GMT

State regulators cut agency's rate increase request

We guess that most people in New England haven't the faintest idea what ISO New England is, or does. That may be part of the problem.

Early Voting Options May Be Premature

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:44:00 GMT

Towns Should Make Sure Process Is Legal First

Changes in how Connecticut votes may be on the way — and that will be a good thing if it means new rules, such as authorizing early voting, that give busy people more opportunity to vote, boosting turnout and reinvigorating democracy.

Yes, Rebuild Sandy Hook School On Site

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:44:00 GMT

Newtown task force's brave decision about the site of the December massacre

What to do about Sandy Hook Elementary School has been a wrenching decision for Newtown. A committee of local leaders chose Friday to demolish and rebuild over the school that holds so many painful memories. That would be a triumph over evil.

Spread State Program Benefit To Women, Minorities

Mon, 13 May 2013 21:44:00 GMT

The failure of the Thirty5 Bar & Grille in West Hartford has drawn greater scrutiny of a state program designed to spark business development.

Fair Is Fair: Collect Online Sales Tax

Mon, 13 May 2013 19:58:48 GMT

Yes, many of us will pay more

For the past 20 years, thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court decision, online retailers have not needed to collect sales taxes on behalf of state governments if they lack a physical presence — a store, a warehouse, a distribution center — in the customer's state.

'Job Sprawl' Leaves The Cities Behind

Sat, 11 May 2013 00:03:00 GMT

Brookings Study: Spreading jobs to the suburbs has a downside

When Hartford's suburbs began to flourish in the years after World War II, it was often courtesy of businesses that had been in Hartford. That is typical of most metropolitan regions across the country. For decades, companies have been moving from city to suburb, a phenomenon known as "job sprawl."

States Should Get Online Sales Taxes

Fri, 10 May 2013 22:46:53 GMT

Yes, many of us will pay more, but fair is fair

For the past 20 years, thanks to a U.S. Supreme Court decision, online retailers have not needed to collect sales taxes on behalf of state governments if they lack a physical presence — a store, a warehouse, a distribution center — in the customer's state.

Balancing State's Books With Borrowing Irresponsible

Fri, 10 May 2013 22:46:00 GMT

Gov. Dannel P. Malloy took to the airwaves this week, insisting on radio station WNPR that "we're going to end up with a very good budget, a very sound budget, that continues us down the path to restoring fiscal health in the state of Connecticut." Good news, if true.

Don't Lower Standard For Malpractice Suits

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:15:00 GMT

In 2005, to reduce the number of frivolous or marginal lawsuits involving medical malpractice, the General Assembly passed a law requiring that before such a suit can be brought to trial, a so-called "certificate of merit" must be obtained. This is a statement by an expert health care provider that there indeed appears to be evidence of medical negligence.

Asaph Schwapp: Big Guy, Big Loss

Thu, 09 May 2013 21:15:00 GMT

Hartford native was a true student-athlete

They didn't call him "Ace" for nothing. Asaph Schwapp was a stellar football player and even better young man who was emerging as a leader in Greater Hartford. His death Wednesday at age 26 from non-Hodgkins lymphoma is sad beyond words.

Once-Sullied State Has Come Far

Wed, 08 May 2013 21:52:00 GMT

Giordano Case Resurfaces In Counterpoint To Corruption Gains

This state has taken healthy steps in recent years on its journey from being known as "Corrupticut," an unlikely center of white-collar crime and political evil-doing, back to plain old Connecticut, the land of steady and, dare we say, law-abiding habits.

Rep. Esty Right To Return NU Contributions — And Others

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:17:00 GMT

U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty acted wisely last month when she returned $3,500 in campaign contributions from executives and lobbyists for Northeast Utilities, an energy company regulated by her husband, Dan Esty, who is the commissioner of the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

Caviar? Hartford Must Clean Up Cavalier Spending

Tue, 07 May 2013 22:17:00 GMT

Hartford Audit: Credit card monitoring too lax in city

Caviar? When it comes to sending the wrong message, Hartford Mayor Pedro Segarra will have to go some to top a lavish New Year's Eve meal at Max Downtown that was partially charged to a city credit card. Mr. Segarra and seven guests, including chief operating officer Saundra Kee Borges, dined on caviar, oysters and rack of lamb, among other succulents, and put the $700-plus food tab on mayoral chief of staff Jared Kupiec's city credit card.