By CHRIS POWELL There’s so much wrong with public education in Connecticut generally and with the Hartford school system particularly that criticizing them doesn’t require making up stories. But that’s what the U.S. education secretary, Connecticut’s own Linda McMahon, did the other day to try to score a political point. Expect more from students, evenContinue reading “McMahon squanders her chance to improve Connecticut education”
Tag Archives: Connecticut Correction Department
Another expensive paid leave, another sham student protest
By CHRIS POWELL Connecticut state government is a big place and there will always be problems in large workforces. The state’s executive department has around 50,000 employees, with more than 90% of them unionized and covered by contracts and state law that make them nearly impossible to discipline seriously, especially since their unions constitute theContinue reading “Another expensive paid leave, another sham student protest”
Connecticut shouldn’t punish former offenders so much
By CHRIS POWELL Connecticut coddles many criminals. Someone may be convicted of a half-dozen or more offenses in separate incidents over a period of years and still not be locked up at all, much less be deemed incorrigible and locked up for good. Lamont buries college scandal, says spending equals learning Trump’s not alone inContinue reading “Connecticut shouldn’t punish former offenders so much”
Prisons, Attorney General Tong suppressed inmate death video
By CHRIS POWELL Eight years after a mentally ill inmate was beaten to death by guards at the state prison in Newtown, last week a Superior Court judge ordered the public release of the video taken of the incident by the body cameras the guards wore. A state tax credit for renters won’t ease housingContinue reading “Prisons, Attorney General Tong suppressed inmate death video”
Governor should make prisons account for deaths of inmates
By CHRIS POWELL Criminally convicted people are generally not very healthy. Many have smoked, abused drugs and alcohol, and become mentally ill or close to it. So it’s to be expected that some will die in prison. But since prisons are government institutions largely concealed from the public, government should account fully for every deathContinue reading “Governor should make prisons account for deaths of inmates”
Who’ll notice prison audit? And Bronin has a health issue too
By CHRIS POWELL Anyone seeking to learn how poorly state government runs would never start by paying close attention to the proceedings of the General Assembly, which remains largely indifferent to government operations. The legislature is much more interested in making government bigger than in making it more effective and efficient. ‘Social equity’ is euphemismContinue reading “Who’ll notice prison audit? And Bronin has a health issue too”
Hold prisons accountable; and money isn’t education
By Chris Powell Bad stuff happens in prison. Prisoners assault each other and guards, and guards get too rough with prisoners. Not enough people are watching. Prison security makes it almost impossible for the public or journalists to watch, and secrecy breeds criminality. Psychiatric Security Board did its job but insanity law is crazy ChengContinue reading “Hold prisons accountable; and money isn’t education”
How is college boss Cheng worth that huge salary and perks?
By Chris Powell At last Terrence Cheng, chancellor of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities System — “president” not being pretentious enough — has managed to embarrass Governor Lamont and Democratic leaders in the General Assembly. Cheng did it with his expense-account extravagance reported last week by Connecticut’s Hearst newspapers. Now journalism should embarrass the governorContinue reading “How is college boss Cheng worth that huge salary and perks?”
Mistakenly doubled salary explains state government
By Chris Powell Miracle of miracles, Connecticut’s Correction Department has arranged to recover a total of nearly $164,000 spent in 54 mistaken salary overpayments to an employee who was the highlight of a report by the state auditors in August. Correction Commissioner Angel Quiros disclosed the repayment plan the other day in a letter toContinue reading “Mistakenly doubled salary explains state government”
There’s a better innovation; and prohibit the looting of hospitals
By Chris Powell Connecticut’s state auditors are on a roll with their critical report about state government’s “venture capital firm,” Connecticut Innovations, which was published the other day soon after the critical audits about expensive management failures at Central Connecticut State University, the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, and the Correction Department. TheContinue reading “There’s a better innovation; and prohibit the looting of hospitals”
