DeFronzo’s Assignment: An Agency Where "There Is Something For Everybody"

State Senator Don DeFronzo, an early supporter of Dan Malloy in the 2010 gubernatorial race, is heading for the state Department of Administrative Services (DAS). The agency DeFronzo will lead is generally not in the headlines but has evolved into an omnibus branch of the executive that is a key to how state government runs … Continue reading DeFronzo’s Assignment: An Agency Where "There Is Something For Everybody"

Take That Bristol: The Case For Buses Over Rail

Buses Are the Answer: Developing a vibrant bus network would cost peanuts, compared with high-speed rail options.By William A. CollinsTrains will neverLeave the gate;Buses seemA wiser fate.With all due respect to President Barack Obama and the $8 billion he's dishing out to the states for high-speed rail, it's too late.Fast trains have been overtaken by gradual events. … Continue reading Take That Bristol: The Case For Buses Over Rail

Mayor’s Blame Game Makes Getting To Yes On Downtown Development Difficult

The Stewart Administration remains intent on branding City Council Democrats as naysayers over bonding and construction of a new police station at the corner of Main and Chestnut streets.The Mayor's latest pronouncement reported in this Herald story over the timing of bonds for a police station portrays the Council as getting in the way of … Continue reading Mayor’s Blame Game Makes Getting To Yes On Downtown Development Difficult

Rep. O’Brien Opponent’s Negative Campaign Is Repudiated By Voters

The voters of Assembly District 24 covering parts of New Britain and Newington not only re-elected State Rep. Tim O’Brien last Tuesday by an overwhelming margin. They rejected a malicious campaign by Republican challenger Cris Carillo.Carillo, a pawn in a GOP attack strategy, relied on mailers developed by New Britain-based CT Republicans that stamped the … Continue reading Rep. O’Brien Opponent’s Negative Campaign Is Repudiated By Voters

Urban Oaks Farm Invites You To Harvest Moon Festival October 23

The 225 Oak Street farm -- recognized for heirloom herbs and organic crops -- invites you to its first Harvest Moon Festival on Saturday, October 23rd from noon to 8 pm. The farm has turned the former Sandelli Florist property into a sustainable enterprise in the heart of the city, improving the neighborhood in the … Continue reading Urban Oaks Farm Invites You To Harvest Moon Festival October 23

CT Capital Report polling: Science of push button survey has skeptics

No question political junkies can't get enough of polls in the run up to elections. In 2010, Connecticut is seeing an extraordinary amount of polling because of the high stakes U.S. Senate race and an open seat for Governor.In addition to the well-established Quinnipiac Poll, national outfits such as Rasmussen are measuring voter sentiment in … Continue reading CT Capital Report polling: Science of push button survey has skeptics

GOP "Common Sense" Plan: Hypocrisy Thy Name Is Republican

A key phrase from a new state government agenda from Republicans is: "Borrow only what you can afford to pay back". Minority Leader Larry Cafero and the crafters of this "common sense" plan conveniently forget to mention that a Republican has held the Governor's office for 20 years. The Governor has sole and exclusive control over … Continue reading GOP "Common Sense" Plan: Hypocrisy Thy Name Is Republican

An Over-Reliance On Police Station For Downtown Revival?

New Britain's Stalinesque and worn out police station cries out for a replacement. The men and women of the force deserve better to carry out their public safety duties. The point is non-debatable. It's past time to put shovel to ground.The matter is apparently settled according to an August 18 Herald story. The options are … Continue reading An Over-Reliance On Police Station For Downtown Revival?

MA communities get big time savings from health insurance pooling

Connecticut's efforts to establish a health insurance pooling option for cities and towns have been thwarted by the vetoes of Republican Governor Jodi Rell over the last two years.House Speaker Chris Donovan has estimated that New Britain would save $900,000 or more if the city could opt in to a state health care pool, reducing … Continue reading MA communities get big time savings from health insurance pooling

U.S. Sets Poor Example With Too Much Money in Politics

Connecticut's relatively new public campaign system has run afoul of some courts and is causing no small amount of confusion in the run up to the August 10th Primary.The July 13th circuit court ruling upheld some provisions and threw out others leading the General Assembly into special session on July 30th to fix it. No … Continue reading U.S. Sets Poor Example With Too Much Money in Politics