By Chris Powell Is state government in Connecticut in a financial emergency because of its likely loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in federal assistance under the Trump administration? Most Democratic state legislators think so. Led by House Speaker Matt Ritter, they want to remove the “fiscal guardrails” that have restrained state government spendingContinue reading “Plenty of money for political patronage despite danger to state budget”
Tag Archives: House Speaker Matt Ritter
Easier jobs make Dan, Geno better liked than legislators
By Chris Powell Celebrating Dan Hurley’s decision this week to keep coaching the men’s basketball team at the University of Connecticut, state House Speaker Matt Ritter confirmed a thought previously reserved for cynics. That is, UConn’s success with basketball is state government’s great rationalization for giving the university whatever it wants financially year after year.Continue reading “Easier jobs make Dan, Geno better liked than legislators”
Legislators’ brazen deception should cost them re-election
By Chris Powell Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely, and with its 24-12 majority the Democratic caucus in Connecticut’s Senate is well on its way there. For recent commentary from the Yankee Institute’s Meghan Portfolio shows that the party was even more deceptive than originally reported with its legislation to award unemployment compensation to strikers.Continue reading “Legislators’ brazen deception should cost them re-election”
Slush fund paves the way for subsidizing strikes
By Chris Powell Connecticut state government’s mad dash to the far left produced another ridiculous moment last week when, as the Connecticut Mirror reported, “with no explanation and scant debate” the state House of Representatives approved a bill to establish what essentially would be a slush fund at the disposal of state Comptroller Sean Scanlon.Continue reading “Slush fund paves the way for subsidizing strikes”
Disability pension scandal is shocking — but not new
By Chris Powell Why is state government always short of money in the face of what are said to be compelling human needs? One reason is that compelling human needs are easily confused with human wants, which are infinite. Another reason is that state government is not at all careful with its money, especially whenContinue reading “Disability pension scandal is shocking — but not new”
Chris Powell column 