Legislation Calls For Clear Language On Charter Referendums

GAE Committee Favors "Precise" Wording On Ballot Questions The Legislature's Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE) has acted favorably on a bill that will "establish certain minimum requirements for presenting charter or home rule ordinance amendment ballot questions to voters.'" House Bill 7125, introduced by State Representative Gary Turco (D-27) and supported by New Britain's … Continue reading Legislation Calls For Clear Language On Charter Referendums

“Precise” Wording Requirement On City Charter Referendums Introduced For A Second Year

New Britain Lawmakers, LWV Members Back "Fair" Ballot Legislation By John McNamara Legislation to ensure specific wording on local referendum questions has been proposed for a second year at the Connecticut General Assembly's Government Administration and Elections Committee (GAE). The GAE Committee will consider House Bill 5494 that would establish "standards" for city charter amendment … Continue reading “Precise” Wording Requirement On City Charter Referendums Introduced For A Second Year

Matt Ritter’s Batterson Park Redux

State Park Status Proposed To Bring Abandoned Recreation Area On Farmington-New Britain Line Back To Life By John McNamara Will Batterson Park, the abandoned recreation area and pond shared by New Britain and Farmington and owned by the City of Hartford, become Connecticut's 91st state park? Last week State House Speaker Matt Ritter of Hartford … Continue reading Matt Ritter’s Batterson Park Redux

From The State House: To Vote Or Not To Vote And When?

Legislators Get "Rennied" Twice For Filing Bill On "Compulsory" Universal Voting Courant Columnist Kevin Rennie has skewered the co-sponsors of a bill that would "institute mandatory voting" to "incentivise civic engagement."not once but twice this month. Raising Rennie's ire is legislation that would require voters to cast a ballot or provide a valid reason for … Continue reading From The State House: To Vote Or Not To Vote And When?

New Britain Charter Question Sparks Legislation To Ensure “Clarity” On Local Ballot Referendums

Local, State League of Women Voters (LWV) Back Election Law Change Legislation to ensure specific wording on local referendum questions has been proposed by New Britain lawmakers in the 2023 Connecticut General Assembly. Proposed Bill 862 "to increase the clarity and simplicity of the language presented to voters in municipal referendum questions" will be considered … Continue reading New Britain Charter Question Sparks Legislation To Ensure “Clarity” On Local Ballot Referendums

Berlin State Rep. Goes Low With “Pro-Criminal Democrats” Rhetoric

By John McNamara BERLIN - State Rep. Donna Veach (R-30), a first-term Republican state representative representing Berlin and Southington, is calling Democrats "pro-criminal" on a campaign billboard. Rep. Veach, however, received a rebuke from constituents at a candidate forum held at the Berlin Senior Center last week when she again attacked Democrats and, by implication, … Continue reading Berlin State Rep. Goes Low With “Pro-Criminal Democrats” Rhetoric

Rep. Sanchez Makes “Respect” for Early Childhood Educators A Priority As New Chair of Education Committee

By John McNamara State Rep. Robert "Bobby" Sanchez (D-25) is the new House Chair of the Legislature's Education Committee who brings a strong background in early childhood education to his leadership post in the General Assembly this year. Sanchez, a former New Britain Board of Education member elected to the House in a 2011 special … Continue reading Rep. Sanchez Makes “Respect” for Early Childhood Educators A Priority As New Chair of Education Committee

24th House District Special Election: Sharon, Rick and Mike Vie For the 24th

24th State Rep Nominating Convention Tuesday, 11/29 In NewingtonThe convention to nominate a Democratic candidate for the 24th House District seat vacated by Mayor O'Brien will be held Tuesday, November 29th at 7 p.m. at Newington Town Hall Council Chambers, 131 Cedar Street.Three candidates with considerable public service and legislative experience have emerged to replace … Continue reading 24th House District Special Election: Sharon, Rick and Mike Vie For the 24th

Luddites May Need To Unite To Save Newspaper Legal Notices For Now

The economic plight of newspapers in the internet age will be up for debate in the 2010 session of the Connecticut General Assembly and intertwined with arguments about the public's right to know.Gov. Rell has called for ending the requirement that governments publish certain legal notices in newspapers, according to the New Britain Herald in a Feb. … Continue reading Luddites May Need To Unite To Save Newspaper Legal Notices For Now

New Year Finally Brings Dramatic Change To Financing of Campaigns

A system of public financing of political campaigns will bring dramatic change to many state House and Senate races in 2008. While the full impact will not be felt until 2010 when races for Governor and statewide offices will occur, the law’s intent is to begin to restrict the corrosive influence of money in politics … Continue reading New Year Finally Brings Dramatic Change To Financing of Campaigns