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?

In Lieu Of Early Voting CT Has A New AB Voting Option For The 2022 Election

The land of "steady habits" Is one of only four states without early voting but fear of COVID Gives Residents Another Way To Vote Without Going To The Polls By John McNamara A pandemic-inspired change in CT's Absentee Voting Law will be the closest residents will come to early voting in the November 8th mid-term … Continue reading In Lieu Of Early Voting CT Has A New AB Voting Option For The 2022 Election

“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

Stuck in the 18th Century: State Constitution Impedes Voting By Mail, Early Voting

By John McNamara Pandemic Prompts Legislation To Allow Absentee Voting Option For All In November But Ballot Reforms Shouldn't Stop There Our license plates proudly proclaim Connecticut the “Constitution State” because the state constitution was one of the colonial documents that guided the Founders of the nation when they wrote the U.S. Constitution in 1787. … Continue reading Stuck in the 18th Century: State Constitution Impedes Voting By Mail, Early Voting

City Hall Watch: Stewart Wants More Money For Tilcon Watershed Study; Costs To Exceed $350K

By John McNamara The Stewart administration is seeking an additional $17,500 for an environmental study of Tilcon Inc.'s long-term plan to lease city watershed for trap rock mining. The extra cost is up for consideration at the December 14th Common Council meeting and follows the June 2016 Common Council approval of a $337,000 no-bid contract to … Continue reading City Hall Watch: Stewart Wants More Money For Tilcon Watershed Study; Costs To Exceed $350K