Hello Sweet Heart, Get Me Re-Write: Herald, Press Survive

The New Britain Herald and Bristol Press, left to die by the parent Journal Register Company (JRC) late in 2008, will survive.Today's Herald story by Scott Whipple confirmed that Michael Schroeder, a veteran newspaper exec from Newsday, has made good on his promise to be the white knight entrepreneur for the two local dailies and … Continue reading Hello Sweet Heart, Get Me Re-Write: Herald, Press Survive

A Good Bet: Amann Will Exit Gubernatorial Race Quickly

Former Speaker of the House Jim Amann is ramping up a run for Governor. He's sent no less than five e-messages to Democratic leaders over the last month.They reflect a hectic schedule and agenda: advocacy for more "Hollywood East" state tax credits (before the Democratic caucus even considers it), an invitation to his portrait unveiling, … Continue reading A Good Bet: Amann Will Exit Gubernatorial Race Quickly

Commuter Question: Rail Over Busway

Today's Courant story by Don Stacom reports on a brewing change in legislative thinking on public transit in the area led by State Rep. David McCluskey of West Hartford. McCluskey, disturbed over the lack of progress by the Department of Transportation on the New Britain busway, recently called for dumping the New Britain/Hartford busway as … Continue reading Commuter Question: Rail Over Busway

Push To Save Herald, Press Sparks Debate In National Media

The push by local legislators, as mentioned in November 28's post, to involve the Department of Economic Development (DECD) in efforts to save The Herald of New Britain and the Bristol Press is drawing national media attention.A Reuters story posted at The Huffington Post focuses on questions of a free press and the potential conflicts … Continue reading Push To Save Herald, Press Sparks Debate In National Media

O’Brien’s Call For Special Elections For U.S. Senate Vacancies Gets Traction With L’Affaire Blogojevich

State Rep. Tim O'Brien (D-24) gets a well deserved accolade from Connecticut Local Politics this weekend on his legislation requiring that special elections be held when vacancies occur for the U.S. Senate.O'Brien saw his proposal die in the 2007 General Assembly with a criticism that his motive was "partisan." Democrats haven't held the Governor's office … Continue reading O’Brien’s Call For Special Elections For U.S. Senate Vacancies Gets Traction With L’Affaire Blogojevich

Saving The Hometown Dailies

A plea by legislators for state assistance in saving the Herald of New Britain and The Bristol Press -- the two dailies slated for closure by the parent Journal Register Company -- is getting a mixed reaction among the commenters and bloggers who offered their opinions this week.That's because many people thrive on complaining about … Continue reading Saving The Hometown Dailies

Ending Wall Street Welfare: Economist Says Democrats Need Long Term Strategy

Robert Kuttner, a widely published economist based at The American Prospect is providing some of the best commentary yet on the economic emergency precipitated by the excesses of the unregulated home mortgage and securities industries."Democrats will shortly become stewards not just of a temporary bailout but of a long term recovery strategy," writes Kuttner in … Continue reading Ending Wall Street Welfare: Economist Says Democrats Need Long Term Strategy

Back to the Future: Divisive Bozek Gets GOP Nod For State Senate

Tom Bozek, the former state senator and self-described "conservative Democrat", wants a soapbox to spew his racially divisive views and bizarre ideas on shrinking New Britain via the elimination of low-income households.The New Britain Republican Party has obliged Bozek, anointing him as the Republican nominee for state Senate against Democrat Donald DeFronzo, who ousted Bozek … Continue reading Back to the Future: Divisive Bozek Gets GOP Nod For State Senate

The Nomination: Clinton, Obama, LBJ and Martin Luther King

In the back and forth of the Democratic Presidential primary season Hillary Clinton's remarks about Rev. Martin Luther King, Lyndon Johnson and civil rights sparked an unfortunate exchange between hers and the Obama forces.Clinton was trying to make a point about governing, but her remarks were criticized for pitting Lyndon Johnson's delivery of landmark civil … Continue reading The Nomination: Clinton, Obama, LBJ and Martin Luther King

Salvio’s Latest Salvo: Putting His Pet Projects and Partisanship Ahead of the Public Interest

It's bad enough that New Britain's share of federal community development grant funds have been dwindling for a long time. Mid-sized U.S. cities such as New Britain used to count on a bigger share of CDBG dollars to address neighborhood and housing issues and to deliver community services that the local property tax would not … Continue reading Salvio’s Latest Salvo: Putting His Pet Projects and Partisanship Ahead of the Public Interest