RECENT ARTICLES
Connecticut has some of the most restrictive voting laws in the country. Here’s how our voting laws compare to other states.
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantApr 11, 2021 at 6:00 amRepublicans in Georgia recently passed sweeping new restrictions on voting, including provisions that make it harder to get an absentee ballot and cap the number of early voting days at 19.That’s 19 more days than Connecticut, which offers zero days of in-person early voting.AdvertisementAnd while Georgia’s governor and its legislature erected new barriers to absentee voting, it is still easier to obtain a mail-in ballot there than it is in Connecticut.Yet Georgia, a state with a long history of curtailing ballot access to Black voters,...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantApr 11, 2021 at 6:00 amRepublicans in Georgia recently passed sweeping new restrictions on voting, including provisions that make it harder to get an absentee ballot and cap the number of early voting days at 19.That’s 19 more days than Connecticut, which offers zero days of in-person early voting.AdvertisementAnd while Georgia’s governor and its legislature erected new barriers to absentee voting, it is still easier to obtain a mail-in ballot there than it is in Connecticut.Yet Georgia, a state with a long history of curtailing ballot access to Black voters,...WW…
Connecticut bill would tax digital ads on Facebook, Google, raising as much as $250M a year
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMar 08, 2021 at 2:45 pmState lawmakers grappling with pandemic-driven spikes in costs and looming budget shortfalls are looking to reach into the deep pockets of the tech industry.A bill moving through the legislature would institute a new tax on digital advertising revenue from giants such as Facebook, Amazon and Google. Supporters say it could generate as much as $250 million a year.AdvertisementThe idea is drawing support from both conservative Republicans and liberals but it faces strong pushback from the tech industry’s lobbyists.Connecticut isn’t the...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantMar 08, 2021 at 2:45 pmState lawmakers grappling with pandemic-driven spikes in costs and looming budget shortfalls are looking to reach into the deep pockets of the tech industry.A bill moving through the legislature would institute a new tax on digital advertising revenue from giants such as Facebook, Amazon and Google. Supporters say it could generate as much as $250 million a year.AdvertisementThe idea is drawing support from both conservative Republicans and liberals but it faces strong pushback from the tech industry’s lobbyists.Connecticut isn’t the...WW…
The anti-vaccination debate turns partisan as Republican lawmakers in Connecticut oppose efforts in General Assembly to eliminate religious exemption for immunization
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 17, 2021 at 8:42 pmFor years, the loudest voices in the anti-vaccination movement were environmentally conscious liberal parents who embraced unproven theories that vaccines caused autism and could lead to other health risks.But in recent years, the focus has changed. In Connecticut and around the country, the debate over childhood immunizations is now a proxy war for Republicans concerned about religious freedom, parents’ rights, and the government’s role in enforcing public health rules such as masks to reduce the spread of the...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 17, 2021 at 8:42 pmFor years, the loudest voices in the anti-vaccination movement were environmentally conscious liberal parents who embraced unproven theories that vaccines caused autism and could lead to other health risks.But in recent years, the focus has changed. In Connecticut and around the country, the debate over childhood immunizations is now a proxy war for Republicans concerned about religious freedom, parents’ rights, and the government’s role in enforcing public health rules such as masks to reduce the spread of the...WW…
J.R. Romano, the chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party, abruptly resigned on Tuesday
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 13, 2021 at 11:50 amJ.R. Romano, the chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party resigned Tuesday night, saying it was “best for the organization” for him to leave six months before his term ends.“After much personal reflection, I am officially resigning my chairmanship,’' Romano wrote in a tersely worded email to members of the party’s central committee. “The decision is what’s best for the organization to move forward. It is time for a new voice to be heard from the Connecticut Republicans.”AdvertisementHis sudden departure comes as the party is...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 13, 2021 at 11:50 amJ.R. Romano, the chairman of the Connecticut Republican Party resigned Tuesday night, saying it was “best for the organization” for him to leave six months before his term ends.“After much personal reflection, I am officially resigning my chairmanship,’' Romano wrote in a tersely worded email to members of the party’s central committee. “The decision is what’s best for the organization to move forward. It is time for a new voice to be heard from the Connecticut Republicans.”AdvertisementHis sudden departure comes as the party is...WW…
J.R. Romano won’t seek another term as Connecticut Republican Party Chairman
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 28, 2020 at 9:03 pmJ.R. Romano, the hard-charging former political consultant who has led the Connecticut Republican Party since 2015, announced one week before Election Day that he will not seek another term as chairman.Romano, a fierce defender of President Trump, told members of the Republican State Central Committee Tuesday that he will step aside when his term ends in June.AdvertisementRomano’s decision comes two months after some top party members, including House Republican leader Themis Klarides and 2018 gubernatorial nominee Bob Stefanowski,...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 28, 2020 at 9:03 pmJ.R. Romano, the hard-charging former political consultant who has led the Connecticut Republican Party since 2015, announced one week before Election Day that he will not seek another term as chairman.Romano, a fierce defender of President Trump, told members of the Republican State Central Committee Tuesday that he will step aside when his term ends in June.AdvertisementRomano’s decision comes two months after some top party members, including House Republican leader Themis Klarides and 2018 gubernatorial nominee Bob Stefanowski,...WW…
Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation to the Supreme Court met with hope and dread in Connecticut
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 27, 2020 at 8:09 pmAs the mother of a transgender teen, Edith Barrett of Hartford watched Amy Coney Barrett’s ascension to the U.S. Supreme Court with rising apprehension.“There’s a great fear that we’ll go back to a time that was horrible for LGBT people, when people could be fired from their job because they married someone of the same gender,” said Edith Barrett, a former board member of PFLAG’s Hartford chapter (and no relation to the new justice.)Advertisement“There’s fear in the LGB community and very significant fear in the trans community about...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 27, 2020 at 8:09 pmAs the mother of a transgender teen, Edith Barrett of Hartford watched Amy Coney Barrett’s ascension to the U.S. Supreme Court with rising apprehension.“There’s a great fear that we’ll go back to a time that was horrible for LGBT people, when people could be fired from their job because they married someone of the same gender,” said Edith Barrett, a former board member of PFLAG’s Hartford chapter (and no relation to the new justice.)Advertisement“There’s fear in the LGB community and very significant fear in the trans community about...WW…
Echoing President Trump’s law and order message, Republican nominee warns of ‘mob rule’ in the suburbs of Connecticut’s 5th District
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantSep 17, 2020 at 3:23 pmTaking a page from the Trump playbook, Republican David X. Sullivan is warning voters in Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District that the social unrest sparked by the killing of George Floyd could quickly spill into lawlessness in the state’s affluent suburbs.“I’m concerned about Avon, Farmington and Simsbury becoming as violent as Portland, New York and Chicago,” Sullivan said. “Look what’s going on in this country with mob rule. ... I think the republic is in danger now.”AdvertisementSullivan is campaigning to unseat freshman...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantSep 17, 2020 at 3:23 pmTaking a page from the Trump playbook, Republican David X. Sullivan is warning voters in Connecticut’s 5th Congressional District that the social unrest sparked by the killing of George Floyd could quickly spill into lawlessness in the state’s affluent suburbs.“I’m concerned about Avon, Farmington and Simsbury becoming as violent as Portland, New York and Chicago,” Sullivan said. “Look what’s going on in this country with mob rule. ... I think the republic is in danger now.”AdvertisementSullivan is campaigning to unseat freshman...WW…
A Connecticut Congressional candidate was arrested on domestic violence charges just days ago — but GOP insiders knew of the allegations against him for months
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantAug 14, 2020 at 7:11 pmThe arrest of Connecticut Congressional candidate Thomas Gilmer on the eve of Tuesday’s Republican primary threw the race into disarray. But details of his alleged violent domestic assault were known in Republican circles for more than two months before anyone contacted authorities.Gilmer’s primary opponent, Justin Anderson, spent weeks showing a graphic video of the alleged attack to his fellow Republicans as he worked to defeat the party-backed Gilmer. The state party chairman, J.R. Romano, acknowledged he knew about the allegations...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantAug 14, 2020 at 7:11 pmThe arrest of Connecticut Congressional candidate Thomas Gilmer on the eve of Tuesday’s Republican primary threw the race into disarray. But details of his alleged violent domestic assault were known in Republican circles for more than two months before anyone contacted authorities.Gilmer’s primary opponent, Justin Anderson, spent weeks showing a graphic video of the alleged attack to his fellow Republicans as he worked to defeat the party-backed Gilmer. The state party chairman, J.R. Romano, acknowledged he knew about the allegations...WW…
Republican candidate for Congress in Connecticut’s 2nd District abruptly drops out following his domestic violence arrest late Monday; arrest warrant details alleged assault of ex-girlfriend
AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantAug 11, 2020 at 4:30 pmA Republican running for Congress in Connecticut’s 2nd District abruptly dropped his bid on the day of the primary following his arrest on domestic violence charges.Thomas Gilmer, 29, of Madison was arrested by Wethersfield police late Monday and posted $5,000 bail. He was arraigned Tuesday in Superior Court in New Britain on charges of first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation.AdvertisementIt is unclear what will happen if Gilmer, the party-endorsed candidate, wins the primary. Thousands of absentee ballots had...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantAug 11, 2020 at 4:30 pmA Republican running for Congress in Connecticut’s 2nd District abruptly dropped his bid on the day of the primary following his arrest on domestic violence charges.Thomas Gilmer, 29, of Madison was arrested by Wethersfield police late Monday and posted $5,000 bail. He was arraigned Tuesday in Superior Court in New Britain on charges of first-degree unlawful restraint and second-degree strangulation.AdvertisementIt is unclear what will happen if Gilmer, the party-endorsed candidate, wins the primary. Thousands of absentee ballots had...WW…
Daily coronavirus updates: Connecticut will impose fines on all travelers from ‘hot spot’ states with surging COVID-19 who don’t self-isolate, or fill out online health questionnaire
AdvertisementBy HartfordJul 21, 2020 at 8:07 pmGov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that Connecticut will require all travelers arriving from 22 states with high positive test rates for COVID-19 to register and fill out an online health questionnaire — and those who resist could eventually face a fine of $1,000.“You go to a hot spot, you come back to this state, you either have a test that shows you tested negative or you must quarantine for 14 days,‘' Lamont said at a late afternoon news conference.AdvertisementSince late June, Connecticut has required visitors from states with escalating...…AdvertisementBy HartfordJul 21, 2020 at 8:07 pmGov. Ned Lamont announced Monday that Connecticut will require all travelers arriving from 22 states with high positive test rates for COVID-19 to register and fill out an online health questionnaire — and those who resist could eventually face a fine of $1,000.“You go to a hot spot, you come back to this state, you either have a test that shows you tested negative or you must quarantine for 14 days,‘' Lamont said at a late afternoon news conference.AdvertisementSince late June, Connecticut has required visitors from states with escalating...WW…
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