Report on state’s homeless mocks new housing legislation

By CHRIS POWELL Last week Governor Lamont and state legislators congratulated themselves for reaching a compromise on the housing legislation the governor vetoed in June over concerns that it would have weakened municipal zoning too much. The new legislation aims to get municipalities and state government working together to set housing goals, tinkers with zoningContinue reading “Report on state’s homeless mocks new housing legislation”

State government endures three more scandals in a week

By CHRIS POWELL According to records obtained by the Connecticut Mirror and published last week, state government officials knew two years ago that state Sen. Doug McCrory, D-Hartford, was steering state anti-poverty and community development grants to his girlfriend. But those officials and their superiors apparently failed to recognize and act on the conflict of interest andContinue reading “State government endures three more scandals in a week”

Corrupt ex-official’s trial evokes musical comedy

By CHRIS POWELL At his federal trial this month was Konstantinos Diamantis, who once doubled as deputy state budget director and chief of state government’s school construction office, really trying to defend himself against bribery and extortion charges, or was he actually auditioning for a revival of the Broadway musical “Fiorello”? Hamden’s leaders come outContinue reading “Corrupt ex-official’s trial evokes musical comedy”

‘This is what democracy looks like’? God help us!

By CHRIS POWELL Participants at last Saturday’s “No Kings” rally at the state Capitol chanted smugly, “This is what democracy looks like.” Many were dressed in Halloween costumes.  Mayor feigns dismay about employee’s reinstatement Church schools might save some city kids — is that bad? Romance of rail travel won’t ever pay the bills in ConnecticutContinue reading “‘This is what democracy looks like’? God help us!”

Does Connecticut need a governor who is more than a nice guy?

By CHRIS POWELL Polls have found that Governor Lamont is well liked, and it’s hard to recall any incident during his 6½ years as governor when he got really nasty in public. But a recent poll showed ambivalence about whether he should seek a third term next year.  How much do illegals cost? And limitContinue reading “Does Connecticut need a governor who is more than a nice guy?”

How much do illegals cost? And limit state treasurer’s power

By CHRIS POWELL The open borders catastrophe the Biden administration inflicted on the United States has caused enormous pain — to the legal residents who have been victims of crime committed by illegal immigrants as well as to the illegal immigrants themselves, millions of whom now face overdue enforcement of immigration law and possible deportation. Continue reading “How much do illegals cost? And limit state treasurer’s power”

Trump aids Larson’s campaign; and Lamont’s disaster at PURA

By CHRIS POWELL Barring some accident, scandal, or health problem, U.S. Rep. John B. Larson probably can count on President Trump to carry him through next year’s Democratic primary in Connecticut’s 1st Congressional District. Let the Sun set elsewhere; we have enough basketball Postal service remains too quaint in Connecticut Build housing without sprawl; andContinue reading “Trump aids Larson’s campaign; and Lamont’s disaster at PURA”

Let the Sun set elsewhere; we have enough basketball

By CHRIS POWELL Why are Governor Lamont and state Treasurer Erick Russell so enthusiastic about using state pension money to make state government a minority owner of the Mohegan tribe’s Connecticut Sun women’s basketball team and move it to Hartford from the tribe’s reservation in rural eastern Connecticut? Postal service remains too quaint in ConnecticutContinue reading “Let the Sun set elsewhere; we have enough basketball”

Build housing without sprawl; and are schools sanctuaries?

By CHRIS POWELL Supposedly there was going to be a special session of the General Assembly in the fall to arrange a compromise on the housing legislation passed by liberal Democratic legislators during this year’s regular session but vetoed by Governor Lamont. Fall is here but neither the governor nor the legislature has issued suchContinue reading “Build housing without sprawl; and are schools sanctuaries?”

Remote work in state government isn’t best for the public

By CHRIS POWELL Working remotely by computer, internet, and telephone can make people more productive, sparing them the burden of commuting and the social distractions of the office. But working remotely can reduce productivity as well. It exposes workers to the distractions of home life, encourages them to slack off, since no supervisors or colleaguesContinue reading “Remote work in state government isn’t best for the public”