Author Archives: cxpowell

By Chris Powell Maybe it will turn out to be only a fluke, but amid the renewed panic about the virus epidemic there is some interesting detail in the monthly death statistics of the state Department of Public Health. In the first three months of the epidemic — March, April, and May — there wereContinue reading “Even hospital capacity shouldn’t be Connecticut’s primary objective”

By Chris Powell His handling of the virus epidemic has doubled Governor Lamont’s public approval rating, giving him more fans than detractors. But judging from recent developments that are being overshadowed by the epidemic, the governor could be forgiven if he hopes the epidemic continues through the 2022 election and beyond. For last week itContinue reading “Underneath the epidemic, economic disaster for state”

By Chris Powell Many teachers around the country are cheering the forthcoming change in national administration  because Betsy DeVos will be replaced as secretary of the U.S. Education Department. DeVos, an heiress and philanthropist, has been a fan of charter schools and a foe of political correctness. While not really expert in pedagogy, at leastContinue reading “Why should we cheer Hayes or anyone like her as next education secretary?”

By Chris Powell Putting personal pique above the national interest again, President Trump fired Defense Secretary Mark Esper the other day, apparently because of Esper’s opposition to sending federal troops uninvited to put down rioting in Democratic cities during the presidential campaign. Apparently it doesn’t matter to the president that the next two months willContinue reading “Connecticut’s Republicans need some reasons for being”

By CHRIS POWELL After the supposedly slow response by Eversource Energy and United Illuminating to the widespread electricity outages in Connecticut caused by the tropical storm in August, there were calls for state government to take over the electricity distribution business. Since that business is already a regulated monopoly, that’s a perfectly reasonable idea inContinue reading “‘Take back our grid’? That will be the day”

By Chris Powell After warning that the U.S. Postal Service might sabotage the vast increase in voting by mail for last week’s national election, leading Democrats in Connecticut are renewing their calls for allowing everyone to vote by mail just for personal convenience, without having to claim illness, infirmity, travel, or religious reasons. A stateContinue reading “Too much voting by mail risks integrity of Connecticut’s elections”

By Chris Powell Everybody in Connecticut is tired of the virus epidemic, and no one is more entitled to be tired of it than Governor Lamont. It has devastated the finances of state government, commandeered its management, crippled education at all levels, and worsened many social problems. While people admire the governor’s calm and conscientiousContinue reading “Serious cases, not mere tests, should measure Connecticut’s epidemic”

By Chris Powell When he was inaugurated as president of the University of Connecticut a year ago, Thomas C. Katsouleas made a grand gesture. He said that henceforth the university would waive tuition for new students from families with annual incomes below $50,000. Katsouleas called it the “Connecticut Commitment.” Last week that “commitment” turned toContinue reading “‘Connecticut Commitment’ isn’t for poor college kids”

By Chris Powell For four years any disparaging story about President Trump has been touted by national news organizations even if its source was anonymous. Of course given his business record and character it is easy to believe almost any disparagement about Trump, but before his election news organizations had begun to move away fromContinue reading “Politics gets more corrupt and takes journalism along”

By Chris PowellMike Riley Retirement PartyThe Riverview, Simsbury, ConnecticutThursday, February 18, 2016 I’ve titled my remarks “How Mike Riley Ruined My Life.” I got the idea from his wife, Kathleen. I met Mike back around 1970 when he was clerking for state Sen. Bob Houley, Senate chairman of the Appropriations Committee. We spent many happyContinue reading “How Mike Riley ruined my life”