Politics - Courant.com

Government Cracking Down On Unsafe Bus Companies

By JOAN LOWY — Thu, 31 May 2012 11:40:00 GMT

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Twenty-six bus operations that transported more than 1,800 passengers a day along Interstate 95 between New York and Florida have been closed for safety violations in what federal officials say is the government's largest single safety crackdown of the motor coach industry in at least a decade.

Republicans Expect Rowland Flap To Resurface In Congressional Race

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, ckeating@courant.com — Wed, 30 May 2012 23:54:04 GMT

The flap over former Gov. John Rowland's assistance to Congressional candidate Lisa Wilson-Foley has died down for now, but some Republicans fear it could flare up again in the fall if Wilson-Foley wins the August primary.

New Britain GOP Chief To Challenge In 6th District

By DON STACOM, dstacom@courant.com — Wed, 30 May 2012 22:23:06 GMT

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Republican Town Chairman Dwight Blint will run against Democratic Sen. Theresa Gerratana in November, GOP officials announced Wednesday.

Towns Get $3.5 Million For Industrial Cleanup

By EDMUND H. MAHONY, emahony@courant.com — Wed, 30 May 2012 20:48:30 GMT

The federal Environmental Protection Agency said Wednesday it will give $3.45 million to seven Connecticut towns and regional groups to help pay for the cost of cleaning and developing abandoned or polluted building sites.

U.S. Education Secretary Grants Connecticut's 'No Child' Waiver Request

By KATHLEEN MEGAN, kmegan@courant.com — Wed, 30 May 2012 02:16:22 GMT

— U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan visited Hartford on Tuesday to show his support for the state's newly passed education reforms and to announce that Connecticut has received a federal waiver from the much-criticized No Child Left Behind law.

Bristol To Get Numbers On Whether Outsourcing Would Save Money

By DON STACOM, dstacom@courant.com — Sun, 27 May 2012 01:10:20 GMT

Widening Political Split Over Idea To Privatize Dozens of Jobs Follow Your Town News On The Courant's Bristol Facebook Page

How much would private companies charge the city to collect trash, clean public buildings, maintain the parks and run the municipal computer system?

Greenwich: Ground Zero For Campaign Cash

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, ckeating@courant.com — Sun, 27 May 2012 00:04:00 GMT

It seemed that everyone at the party was a millionaire.

Jasper Howard's Parents File $5 Million Claim Against UConn

Jon Lender — Fri, 25 May 2012 23:32:08 GMT

The parents of slain University of Connecticut football player Jasper Howard are seeking more than $5 million in damages from UConn — claiming that the school provided insufficient security and supervision for a 2009 dance on the Storrs campus, after which Howard was stabbed to death.

New Britain Political Parties Prep For November Races

By DON STACOM, dstacom@courant.com — Fri, 25 May 2012 20:28:35 GMT

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The fall campaign for state legislative seats will have a few new names, but the theme will be the same as it has been for years: Republican challengers will be running against Democratic incumbents.

DSS Computer System Operating Again After 2-Day Crash

By JON LENDER, jlender@courant.com — Fri, 25 May 2012 04:51:26 GMT

The state Department of Social Services said Thursday that its computerized "eligibility management system" is back in operation, after a two-day crash that made it impossible on Tuesday and Wednesday for the agency to process new applications for public assistance.

Food Stamp Fraud Issue Escalates

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, ckeating@courant.com — Fri, 25 May 2012 02:27:00 GMT

An attorney representing state employees said Thursday that he believes more than 150 state employees have been fired for alleged food stamp fraud.

'Not A Big Difference' In Democratic Senate Debate

By DANIELA ALTIMARI, daltimari@courant.com — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:30:00 GMT

NEW BRITAIN — Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Chris Murphy and Susan Bysiewicz sparred in their first one-on-one debate Thursday morning, with Murphy saying he's the guy with the experience to get things done and Bysiewicz portraying herself as the outsider unafraid to shake up the established political order.

Connecticut River Named Country's First 'National Blueway'

By STEVE GRANT, Special to The Courant — Thu, 24 May 2012 21:39:54 GMT

In riverfront ceremonies in Hartford Thursday, U. S. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar designated the 410-mile-long Connecticut River as America's first National Blueway, saying restoration and preservation efforts on the river were a model for other American rivers.

Murphy, Bysiewicz In First 1-On-1 U.S. Senate Debate

By DANIELA ALTIMARI, altimari@courant.com — Thu, 24 May 2012 16:17:00 GMT

Democratic U.S. Senate candidates Chris Murphy and Susan Bysiewicz will face one another Thursday morning at their first formal debate since the Democratic state convention.

DSS Computer Crash Jams Up Benefits Applications

By JON LENDER, jlender@courant.com — Thu, 24 May 2012 01:22:59 GMT

'It Is Widely Recognized That The ... System Is Antiquated And Outmoded'

The state Department of Social Services acknowledged Wednesday that serious computer problems — going on for two full days, so far — are jamming up new applications for public assistance.

Teacher Evaluations: January's Dream Agreement Now On The Rocks

By KATHLEEN MEGAN, kmegan@courant.com — Thu, 24 May 2012 00:34:07 GMT

Misunderstanding On Key Issue Of Student Test Scores

In what appeared to be a diplomatic feat back in January, the state's Performance Evaluation Advisory Council heralded an agreement on a new teacher evaluation system.

After More Than 12 Years, Work Starts In Earnest On Busway

By DON STACOM, dstacom@courant.com — Tue, 22 May 2012 22:45:00 GMT

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It took three governors, more than a dozen years, and the pledge of better than $400 million in federal aid, but construction of the New Britain-to-Hartford busway officially began Tuesday.

Malloy Calls Felon's Candidacy 'Local Issue,' Favors 'Second Chances'

By JON LENDER, jlender@courant.com — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:30:00 GMT

HARTFORD — Gov. Dannel P. Malloydeclined Tuesday to take a position on Bridgeport Democrats' endorsement of a felon, former state Sen.Ernest E. Newton II, as a candidate for a state Senate seat – the same office that Newton was convicted in 2005 of using to solicit a $5,000 bribe. Newton served four years in federal prison.

Report: Gender, Racial Representation Up On State Panels

Courant Staff Report — Tue, 22 May 2012 21:18:29 GMT

Women, African Americans and Hispanic people were better represented on appointed state boards and commissions in 2011 than in the past, but not all those groups have reached the same levels as exist in the state population, a new report shows.

Forty-Four Kids Honored For Creative Approaches To Saving Energy

By KATHLEEN MEGAN, kmegan@courant.com — Tue, 22 May 2012 20:34:00 GMT

Top Winners Take Home iPads and Kindles In Contest Sponsored By CT Energy Efficiency Fund

Forty-four kids were honored Tuesday at the state Capitol for their drawings, poems, essays and even song lyrics and a short play — all prize-winning submissions in a contest promoting energy efficiency.

Former Prisoner Ernie Newton Wins Democratic Endorsement

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, ckeating@courant.com — Tue, 22 May 2012 01:00:00 GMT

Former state Sen. Ernie Newton, a convicted felon who served time in federal prison on corruption charges, won the Democratic endorsement Monday night for his old state Senate seat.

Shays Files Papers To Force GOP Primary For U.S. Senate

By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, ckeating@courant.com — Mon, 21 May 2012 21:17:00 GMT

HARTFORD — Former U.S. Rep. Christopher Shays filed papers Monday to force an August primary for the U.S. Senateagainst Greenwich wrestling entrepreneur Linda McMahon.

Thompson Endorses Diminico For 13 t h House Seat

Mon, 21 May 2012 19:12:22 GMT

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Long-time state Rep. Jack Thompson, who is not running for re-election, has endorsed fellow Democrat Joe Diminico for the 13 t h House District, according to a news release.

University of Hartford Grad Has A South Carolina Lawyer To Thank

By KATHLEEN MEGAN, kmegan@courant.com — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:39:00 GMT

Student Who Spent Years in Homeless Shelter Got 'Fairy Tale' Help With Tuition

Three years ago, Sara Alzioud got a call that parents of college students everywhere dream about.

The Lean Years: Filling In Outlines Of Linda McMahon's Oft-Cited Bankruptcy

By DANIELA ALTIMARI, altimari@cournat.com — Sat, 19 May 2012 21:32:00 GMT

In her campaign narrative, multimillionaire U.S. Senatecandidate Linda McMahon has often invoked the hardship of losing her home and filing for bankruptcy more than 35 years ago.