AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 01, 2021 at 7:26 pmThe first major nor’easter of 2021 is rapidly bearing down on the East Coast, with high snowfall totals, severe wind gusts and power outages likely across much of Connecticut.The National Weather Service in New York issued a winter storm warning for Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties starting at midnight Sunday and continuing through 6 a.m. Tuesday, with heavy snow expected to accumulate anywhere from 7-16 inches and winds gusting as high as 50 mph.AdvertisementOn Sunday afternoon, Hartford, Tolland and Windham...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 01, 2021 at 7:26 pmThe first major nor’easter of 2021 is rapidly bearing down on the East Coast, with high snowfall totals, severe wind gusts and power outages likely across much of Connecticut.The National Weather Service in New York issued a winter storm warning for Fairfield, New Haven, Middlesex and New London counties starting at midnight Sunday and continuing through 6 a.m. Tuesday, with heavy snow expected to accumulate anywhere from 7-16 inches and winds gusting as high as 50 mph.AdvertisementOn Sunday afternoon, Hartford, Tolland and Windham...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 01, 2021 at 6:00 amFrom potentially selling wine in supermarkets to imposing a statewide “mansion” tax on homes worth more than $430,000, the Connecticut General Assembly is debating legislation this year on a wide range of topics.More than 2,000 bills — many only one sentence long at this early stage — have been filed as lawmakers have opened the floodgates in the traditional “long” legislative session that lasts until early June.AdvertisementBut Republicans are saying that the Democratic majorities in the state House of Representatives and Senate are...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantFeb 01, 2021 at 6:00 amFrom potentially selling wine in supermarkets to imposing a statewide “mansion” tax on homes worth more than $430,000, the Connecticut General Assembly is debating legislation this year on a wide range of topics.More than 2,000 bills — many only one sentence long at this early stage — have been filed as lawmakers have opened the floodgates in the traditional “long” legislative session that lasts until early June.AdvertisementBut Republicans are saying that the Democratic majorities in the state House of Representatives and Senate are...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 27, 2021 at 6:00 amProponents of legal cannabis in Connecticut said there’s a better than average chance a bill will pass in 2021, while opponents said the old barriers still haven’t been removed.“I’m hoping there isn’t a stumbling block to passing legislation this year,” said Rep. Steven J. Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Judiciary. “I find it fairly frustrating that this appears to be one of those bills where the public is more progressive on it than the legislature appears to be. It’s time to get this done.”AdvertisementFor...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 27, 2021 at 6:00 amProponents of legal cannabis in Connecticut said there’s a better than average chance a bill will pass in 2021, while opponents said the old barriers still haven’t been removed.“I’m hoping there isn’t a stumbling block to passing legislation this year,” said Rep. Steven J. Stafstrom (D-Bridgeport), co-chair of the Joint Committee on Judiciary. “I find it fairly frustrating that this appears to be one of those bills where the public is more progressive on it than the legislature appears to be. It’s time to get this done.”AdvertisementFor...WW…

On her first day on the job, Connecticut native Jennifer Psaki, the new White House press secretary under President Joe Biden, promised a return to the old days, where she will bring “truth and transparency back to the briefing room.” “There will be times when we see things differently in this room, among all of us,” Psaki, who grew up in Greenwich, told reporters. “That’s OK. That’s part of our democracy. Rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House every single day.” Advertisement In the building and ready to get to...…On her first day on the job, Connecticut native Jennifer Psaki, the new White House press secretary under President Joe Biden, promised a return to the old days, where she will bring “truth and transparency back to the briefing room.” “There will be times when we see things differently in this room, among all of us,” Psaki, who grew up in Greenwich, told reporters. “That’s OK. That’s part of our democracy. Rebuilding trust with the American people will be central to our focus in the press office and in the White House every single day.” Advertisement In the building and ready to get to...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 06, 2021 at 4:46 pmHARTFORD — Connecticut lawmakers Wednesday began their task of legislating amid a raging pandemic, swearing in new and returning members outdoors over the din of about 500 protesters, changing rules to allow legislators to cast their votes remotely from their offices and committee hearings to be held virtually and hearing an upbeat, but virtual State of the State address from Gov. Ned Lamont.“We have to adapt according to the protection of our legislators, but also the public in general,” said Sen. Saud Anwar, D-East Hartford. He said a...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantJan 06, 2021 at 4:46 pmHARTFORD — Connecticut lawmakers Wednesday began their task of legislating amid a raging pandemic, swearing in new and returning members outdoors over the din of about 500 protesters, changing rules to allow legislators to cast their votes remotely from their offices and committee hearings to be held virtually and hearing an upbeat, but virtual State of the State address from Gov. Ned Lamont.“We have to adapt according to the protection of our legislators, but also the public in general,” said Sen. Saud Anwar, D-East Hartford. He said a...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 17, 2020 at 6:00 amGov. Ned Lamont announced on Thursday that Connecticut’s eviction moratorium, which was set to expire on Dec. 31, would be extended through Feb. 9.“We tried to put together packages that work for both landlords and tenants, and that’s why I needed a little extra time to build that out,” Lamont said. “And if we get the additional money coming from the feds, I think this extended period of non-eviction will give them a lot more time to come up with a partnership, how this gets paid and how [tenants] get current.”AdvertisementThe extension...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 17, 2020 at 6:00 amGov. Ned Lamont announced on Thursday that Connecticut’s eviction moratorium, which was set to expire on Dec. 31, would be extended through Feb. 9.“We tried to put together packages that work for both landlords and tenants, and that’s why I needed a little extra time to build that out,” Lamont said. “And if we get the additional money coming from the feds, I think this extended period of non-eviction will give them a lot more time to come up with a partnership, how this gets paid and how [tenants] get current.”AdvertisementThe extension...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 06, 2020 at 6:00 amDuring the surge of COVID-19 infections in Connecticut this past spring, most residents got behind Gov. Ned Lamont’s sense of caution, as he swiftly restricted access to restaurants and gyms, ordered non-essential workers to work from home and mandated mask-wearing.Now, as COVID-19 hospitalizations spike and the state’s death toll Monday, Lamont is caught between two opposing forces, as some doctors call on him to shut the state down further due to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations, while economically beleaguered restaurants implore him...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantDec 06, 2020 at 6:00 amDuring the surge of COVID-19 infections in Connecticut this past spring, most residents got behind Gov. Ned Lamont’s sense of caution, as he swiftly restricted access to restaurants and gyms, ordered non-essential workers to work from home and mandated mask-wearing.Now, as COVID-19 hospitalizations spike and the state’s death toll Monday, Lamont is caught between two opposing forces, as some doctors call on him to shut the state down further due to rising COVID-19 hospitalizations, while economically beleaguered restaurants implore him...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantNov 19, 2020 at 3:54 pmHARTFORD — As Connecticut advocates believe they have their best chance ever at legalizing recreational marijuana, incoming House Speaker Matt Ritter rated the chances Thursday at 50-50.Ritter is a strong advocate as the drug is already legal in Massachusetts, and voters in New Jersey passed the marijuana legalization measure in a referendum on Election Day.AdvertisementBut Ritter, a Hartford Democrat, knows there is still strong opposition from some lawmakers. The measure has repeatedly failed over the past five years in the...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantNov 19, 2020 at 3:54 pmHARTFORD — As Connecticut advocates believe they have their best chance ever at legalizing recreational marijuana, incoming House Speaker Matt Ritter rated the chances Thursday at 50-50.Ritter is a strong advocate as the drug is already legal in Massachusetts, and voters in New Jersey passed the marijuana legalization measure in a referendum on Election Day.AdvertisementBut Ritter, a Hartford Democrat, knows there is still strong opposition from some lawmakers. The measure has repeatedly failed over the past five years in the...WW…

AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 10, 2020 at 6:00 amAs the Republican National Committee recruits a volunteer army to monitor voting machines, check voter IDs and possibly issue challenges in battleground states, the Connecticut GOP is actively growing its own Election Day operation.“Our goal is to cover every polling place in our state with smart and trusted volunteers like you!” Connecticut Republican Party chairman J.R. Romano wrote in an email to party members. “JOIN the EDO [Election Day Operation] Army For Trump NOW to get started and one of our team members will contact you with...…AdvertisementBy Hartford CourantOct 10, 2020 at 6:00 amAs the Republican National Committee recruits a volunteer army to monitor voting machines, check voter IDs and possibly issue challenges in battleground states, the Connecticut GOP is actively growing its own Election Day operation.“Our goal is to cover every polling place in our state with smart and trusted volunteers like you!” Connecticut Republican Party chairman J.R. Romano wrote in an email to party members. “JOIN the EDO [Election Day Operation] Army For Trump NOW to get started and one of our team members will contact you with...WW…