In This Together CT

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6748/state-taking-closer-look-retiree-health-care

Keith M. Phaneuf
July 13, 2010

As Connecticut struggles to control the cost of retirement benefits, one item under consideration may be a health insurance program generous by state government standards and rare in the private sector: discounted lifetime coverage of retirees and the spouses of retirees who log 10 years of service at any time in their careers.

A panel created by Gov. M. Jodi Rell to study the fiscal health of Connecticut’s retirement benefit programs is expected to debate recommending an end this practice, along with new health care costs for future retirees, before it completes its first draft on Aug. 1. (more…)

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6726/lamont-struggles-find-certainty-his-budget-plan

Facing the budget: Fifth in a series.

Keith M. Phaneuf
July 12, 2010

The biggest danger posed by the massive state budget deficit looming just 12 months away, according to Ned Lamont, is the uncertainty.

Fear over what’s to come paralyzes businesses, municipal governments, and even households.

But when it comes to some of the largest pieces of the budget puzzle – particularly income taxes and public-sector wages and benefits – the Democratic gubernatorial contender lacks the very certainty he says Connecticut’s economy craves. (more…)

http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/hc-op-mcenroe-0711-20100711,0,2130387.column

Colin McEnroe
To Wit
July 11, 2010

People used to tell me they disagreed with — and in some cases hated — almost everything I stood for, but they enjoyed my AM radio show anyway.

Once, a guy from Arbitron, the big fish in radio ratings, visited the CBS studios in Farmington and made a point of meeting me. “I go through the diaries,” he told me. “People keep writing that they hate you. And then they listen for 45 minutes a day. It’s very unusual.” (more…)

http://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/ctnj.php/archives/entry/prisoner_seeks_campaign_records/

by Christine Stuart
Jul 10, 2010 9:32am

Responding to a Freedom of Information request, Correction Department Commissioner Brian Murphy denied an inmate access to the names, addresses, and occupations of Sen. John Kissel’s campaign contributors. Murphy did agree to give the inmate, who is serving an 86-year sentence for sexual assault, a partial list including only the towns and dollar amounts. (more…)

http://www.ctmirror.org/story/6710/national-group-nappier-challenge-study-showing-states-pension-fund-headed-bankruptcy

Keith M. Phaneuf
July 9, 2010

The Northwestern University study concluding that the pension funds of Connecticut and 19 other states will be broke by 2025 is fundamentally flawed, failing to account for future contributions to cover unfunded liabilities, according to the National Association of State Retirement Administrators.

And state Treasurer Denise L. Nappier said Thursday that while Connecticut’s state employee pension fund has been “chronically underfunded” the state still is required through its benefits contract with worker unions to both meet annual costs and save for future liabilities. (more…)

http://www.publicnewsservice.org/index.php?/content/article/14859-1

Melinda Tuhus, Public News Service – CT

HARTFORD, Conn. – Connecticut politicians have said maintaining education spending at current levels in this year’s budget that began July 1 was a major accomplishment in the current recession. Civic watchdogs agree, but warn that even tougher times are coming for school funding. (more…)

http://blog.ctnews.com/politicalcapitol/2010/07/07/dot-commish-resigned-over-harassment-claims-but-denied-it-last-week

July 7, 2010 at 5:22 pm by Brian Lockhart

More information is surfacing about last Wednesday’s abrupt resignation of Department of Transportation Commissioner Joseph Marie, hired two years ago by the now retiring Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell to reform the beleaguered agency.

Rell told the CT Mirror today that Marie’s departure was the result of an allegation about harassment. Last week her administration said Marie wanted to spend more time with his family and pursue other long-term employment. And Marie in a phone interview at the time said his departure was planned and amicable. (more…)

http://www.courant.com/news/politics/hc-candidate-trackers-0704-20100703,0,650699.story

By DANIELA ALTIMARI, altimari@courant.com
July 6, 2010

That Yale student in a dark suit carrying a video camera and trailing Democratic candidate for governor Dan Malloy?

He’s not a journalist, Malloy staff member or supporter.

He’s a tracker, and he works for Democratic opponent Ned Lamont. (more…)

http://www.stamfordadvocate.com/default/article/DOT-seeks-change-in-process-of-bridge-inspections-565498.php

Brian Lockhart, Staff Writer
Published: Monday, July 5, 2010

HARTFORD — Arguing it’s a matter of public safety and a core function of state government, the union representing DOT employees has successfully pushed for a review of the agency’s long-standing practice of outsourcing rail and highway bridge inspections.

“It’s not going to happen overnight, but the department is better served by having its own employees inspect the bridges and make the recommendations,” said Ned Statchen, a Department of Transportation transportation engineer. (more…)

http://www.nhregister.com/articles/2010/07/04/news/doc4c2ffbb83e2a7717360152.txt

Sunday, July 4, 2010

By Mary E. O’Leary, Register Topics Editor
moleary@newhavenregister.com

From war to walk signs to perceived swollen bureaucracies, area taxpayers have different perspectives on what they consider waste in government.

Asked to weigh in with their concerns to the New Haven Register, some honed in on the bigger picture, criticizing the $1.01 trillion spent since 2001 on the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, while others were riled up by something as ubiquitous as pedestrian crossing signs. (more…)