Connecticuts

Kevin Rennie Critiques Expensive Setbacks and Raises Concerns Over Connecticut’s Transparency in Governance

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Hartford, CT – In a dispiriting setback for Connecticut, costly mistakes have led to disappointment amidst concerns regarding the adherence to open government laws. The state, known for its rich history in robust public discourse and transparency, finds itself at a critical juncture where citizen trust and governmental accountability are both being questioned. Recent events underscore a pervasive anxiety about whether Connecticut is living up to its legislative commitments on openness. An alarming budget overrun has left policymakers and the public alike calling for a reevaluation of the processes governing state expenditures and legislative transparency. … Read more

Empowering Mobility: Connecticut’s New Legislation Set to Enhance Accessibility for Wheelchair Users

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Hartford, Connecticut – A series of new legislative proposals in Connecticut aim to significantly improve mobility and accessibility for wheelchair users. Lawmakers are responding to long-standing challenges faced by disabled individuals, striving to fine-tune existing regulations and introduce new measures to enhance their daily lives. The push for new legislation comes as advocates for the disabled community have increasingly voiced concerns about hurdles in public transportation, building access, and overall community participation. The proposed bills specifically target improvements in public infrastructure and aim to ensure stricter compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). One … Read more

Revamping Jury Pay: A Push to Bridge the Racial Gap in Connecticut’s Jury Pools

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Hartford, CT — Recent discussions around jury summoning reforms in Connecticut have refocused attention on systemic issues within the state’s legal apparatus, particularly regarding disparities in jury pools. Despite past recommendations from a specialized task force aimed at addressing these issues, legislative inertia has persisted, particularly around the vital topic of juror compensation. The task force, previously led by former Chief Justice Robinson, engaged deeply with the process of summoning jurors—a critical step that has proved resistant to improvement. Insights from Harry Weller, a retired senior assistant state’s attorney who co-chaired the committee on this … Read more

Social Security Fairness Act Set to Become Law, Ending Penalties for Thousands of Connecticut’s Public Workers

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WASHINGTON — The U.S. Senate passed a significant piece of legislation, the Social Security Fairness Act, in the final hours of the session, which now awaits President Joe Biden’s signature. The bill seeks to amend long-standing grievances regarding the deductions from Social Security benefits for numerous public service workers, including educators and first responders in Connecticut. For years, advocates for public service workers have pushed to overturn the Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and the Government Pension Offset (GPO), which they argue disproportionately impact those who receive pensions from jobs not covered by Social Security. The … Read more