The Day After: Should fireworks be free or come with a fee?

The 4th of July Show Tab This Year Was $60K and $10 A Car Load By John McNamara No one can deny that fireworks on the Fourth of July brings a community together. It is America's birthday tradition that can awe and delight children or the child in all of us. And after 15 months … Continue reading The Day After: Should fireworks be free or come with a fee?

Landlord Group’s “cage fight between Lamont & Zherka” remark stumps the press, brings apology to Governor

There's No Mystery About Who Sam Zherka Is In New Britain By John McNamara West Hartford-based Connecticut Coalition of Property Owners (CCOPO) had to issue a quick apology on May 19th over its first version of a press release opposing an eviction moratorium and use of $400 million in federal pandemic aid to landlords and … Continue reading Landlord Group’s “cage fight between Lamont & Zherka” remark stumps the press, brings apology to Governor

School Building Committee Resolution Curtails Checks and Balances on School Construction Projects

By John McNamara A controversial resolution that removes Common Council and Board of Education approval of all contracts and spending on school construction projects came back to the Common Council April 28th meeting and was approved on a party line vote. The resolution, authored by Republican caucus members Daniel Salerno and Sharon Beloin-Saavedra and revised … Continue reading School Building Committee Resolution Curtails Checks and Balances on School Construction Projects

“Tax Equity” Proposals Call For Reducing Regressive Sales and Property Levies, Raising Rates On Wealthy

By John McNamara Bills that would dramatically alter the way Connecticut taxes individuals and businesses were the subject of a marathon hearing at the Legislature's Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee on March 15th. An overwhelming majority of the more than 300 individuals who testified supported tax reforms but passage will face significant hurdles in the … Continue reading “Tax Equity” Proposals Call For Reducing Regressive Sales and Property Levies, Raising Rates On Wealthy

Stewart Seeks To Exclude BOE, Common Council From Approving Use Of School Construction Money

By John McNamara The Stewart Administration, blocked in recent months by a bipartisan Board of Education (BOE) and city ordinance from filling a political patronage job on a new school construction project, will seek to remove Common Council and BOE authority on school construction spending handing the final say over to the seven-member School Building … Continue reading Stewart Seeks To Exclude BOE, Common Council From Approving Use Of School Construction Money

The National “Fight For 15” Will Continue After COVID Relief Act Passage

Connecticut and other states are on a path to $15 an hour but the federal minimum wage has not increased since 2009 when it went from $6.55 to $7.25 per hour, an amount that keeps the working poor in poverty or juggling multiple jobs to survive. By Eshawney Gaston | March 3, 2021 I’m one of America’s … Continue reading The National “Fight For 15” Will Continue After COVID Relief Act Passage

New Britain Common Council Vacancy: An Opportunity For Bipartisan Cooperation

By John McNamara The alderman-at-large vacancy caused by the election of Emmanuel Sanchez to the 24th District House seat is an opportunity for some all too rare bipartisanship on the closely divided City Council of eight Republicans and seven Democrats. Starting with an endorsement from Rep.-elect Sanchez, a top vote getter in the 2019 municipal … Continue reading New Britain Common Council Vacancy: An Opportunity For Bipartisan Cooperation

New Britain Is Using Two Ballot Drop Boxes At City Hall For Now: Legislators Get Two More OK’d For Heavy Presidential Turnout

By John McNamara | nbpoliticus.com With absentee ballots expected to be mailed to voters in the coming days for the November 3rd Presidential Election, New Britain election officials are using two ballot drop boxes at New Britain City Hall. With an expected uptick in absentee voting because of COVID 19, two more have been made … Continue reading New Britain Is Using Two Ballot Drop Boxes At City Hall For Now: Legislators Get Two More OK’d For Heavy Presidential Turnout

Under the Cover of Covid: Four Democratic Councillors Excluded From July Meeting

Mayor Pulls Plug On Remote Access For Common Council Members By John McNamara Four Democratic City Councillors, expecting teleconference access because of the state-mandated COVID 19 social distancing order for public meetings, were shut out of participating and voting at the July 8th Common Council meeting. At Large Alderman Richard Reyes, Ward 2 Alderperson Colin … Continue reading Under the Cover of Covid: Four Democratic Councillors Excluded From July Meeting