The Pew Charitable Trusts - State and Consumer Initiatives from Connecticut

Maryland Repeals Death Penalty

Maryland has executed five people since the Supreme Court reinstated the death penalty in 1976. But nobody else will be sentenced to death in the Old Line State.

Legislatures Consider Limits on Prisoner Deportations Through Secure Communities

As Congress considers major revisions to federal immigration laws, legislators in a few states are trying to curb the federal government’s power to deport immigrants who land in jail.

Maryland Repeals Death Penalty, Sixth State in Six Years

Maryland became the sixth state in as many years to repeal the death penalty. But the fate of the state’s five remaining death row inmates is up to Governor Martin O'Malley.

Governors Promote Employment for People With Disabilities

A yearlong initiative at the National Governors Association examines the roles that states and businesses can play in finding jobs for people with disabilities.

Governors Ask Lawmakers to Prevent Future Shootings

The recent mass shootings in Colorado and Connecticut reshaped governors’ legislative agendas this year, and many used their once-a-year legislative addresses to ask lawmakers to take up gun control, mental health treatment and school safety.

Northeastern States To Drastically Cut Emissions Cap

Nine Northeastern states will drastically cut the region’s carbon cap under proposed changes to the region’s cap-and- trade program, they announced Thursday.

Obama Sends $50.5 billion Sandy Relief Package to States

Federal aid is finally headed to the Atlantic Coast states, three months after Hurricane Sandy ravaged their shores.

Issue To Watch: Gun Regulation

Gun legislation moved to the top of the list for many state lawmakers after the shooting at Sandy Hook Elementary School in Newtown, Connecticut in December.

Cuomo Proposes “NY Green Bank” To Spur Renewable Energy Investments

Governor Andrew Cuomo has proposed creating a $1 billion “NY Green Bank,” a quasi-independent authority that would provide capital for energy projects, aiming to improve coordination across state government and open the door to projects that might struggle to attract investment on their own.

Connecticut State of the State Address 2013

HARTFORD, Connecticut -- Jan 9 -- Following is the prepared text of Gov. Dannel Malloy's (D) 2013 State of the State Address

Falling Short on Dental Sealants: Connecticut

How well is Connecticut protecting kids from tooth decay?

California Lawmaker Proposes New Controls on Bullet Sales

In an effort to curb gun violence, a California lawmaker has proposed legislation that would tighten oversight of bullet sales.

As Sandy Hook Students Return to School, Connecticut Governor to Launch Gun Violence Task Force

Still reeling from the elementary school massacre that shocked the nation, Connecticut has launched an expert panel that will study current policy and make recommendations on school safety, mental health and gun violence prevention, Governor Dan Malloy said Thursday.

Northeast Governors Outraged About Sandy Aid Delay

Frustration boiled over on Wednesday, the day after the U.S. House, finishing up a compromise to avert the nation’s “fiscal cliff,” scrapped a vote on the $60.4 billion relief plan approved last month by the Senate.

Bullet Tax Proposal Is New Twist in Gun-Control Debate

Today’s Take: The school shooting in Newtown, Connecticut isn’t just prompting gun-control proposals. It’s generating bullet-control proposals, too.

Connecticut Health Agency Fights Desperation Among the Insured

The Affordable Care Act encourages states to create insurance watchdogs like Connecticut’s Office of the Healthcare Advocate.

Another Mass Shooting Revives Debate on Gun Laws

Another mass shooting is fueling another debate about the nation’s patchwork of gun laws. But this time some new and prominent faces are calling for the stricter gun measures.

Connecticut Governor Looks Back on a Tough Two Years

Connecticut has been hit three times in the last year by natural disasters and now faces a new $415 million budget shortfall. In an interview with Stateline, the governor looks ahead and spells out how he plans to balance the budget.

More States Dig into Libor Scandal

As lawsuits and inquiries mount, more states are looking into the rate-rigging scandal.

The Impact of the Fiscal Cliff: Connecticut

Federal and state finances are closely intertwined, and the fiscal cliff’s tax and spending provisions will have consequences for states.

Hurricane Sandy’s Impact on Election Day

Hurricane Sandy devastated states across the mid-Atlantic and the Northeast. In Maryland and the District of Columbia, election officials canceled early voting for two days–and then extended early voting hours on subsequent days.

After Sandy, Some Homeowners Spared from Costly Hurricane Deductibles

Governor Tom Corbett added Pennsylvania to the growing list of states — including Connecticut, Maryland, New Jersey and New York — where governors and insurance regulators have told insurers to spare homeowners from the costly deductibles after the superstorm whirled across the East Coast, causing heavy wind and flood damage to property and leaving millions without power.

Defense of Marriage Act Discriminates Against Gays, Federal Court Rules

The federal government’s refusal to recognize same-sex marriages — including those considered legal in several states — is unconstitutional, a federal court has ruled.

Still Risky: Checking Accounts in Connecticut

Checking accounts, the most widely used financial product in America, contain hidden risks that can harm consumers. Seven of the 12 largest banks nationwide offer checking accounts in Connecticut and hold 45 percent of all deposits in the state. Here’s what consumers in Connecticut may be paying.

States Back Challenge to Federal Law on Marriage

Three states say that the federal law failing to recognize same-sex marriages considered legal within their borders violates the U.S. Constitution.

In Connecticut, Death Row Inmates Get Trial on Sentencing Fairness

Seven of Connecticut’s last 11 death row inmates are challenging their sentences, saying they were arbitrarily applied and based partly on race and geography.

Best of #StateReads: On Further Review, Georgia Dropout Rate Doubles

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

A Fight Over Food Labels in California

A ballot measure to require labeling of genetically modified foods has brought big money and prominent players to the table.

Widening Gap Update: Connecticut

Connecticut paid its full annual pension contribution just three times from 2005 to 2010. The system was 53 percent funded in ﬁscal year 2010 and faced a $12 billion funding gap.

Study: Economic Opportunity Better in Northeast, Worse in South

They call it the American Dream, but it doesn't seem to be stretching from sea to shining sea.

Study: Economic Mobility Depends on the State You Live In

The ability of individuals to achieve the American dream depends on where they live, according to the first state-by-state look at the opportunity to move up the economic ladder.

As Washington Gridlock Persists, States Get Creative in Funding Renewable Energy

The federal government has drastically reduced its funding for renewable energy. States have come up with some unusual ways to try and replace it.

Re-Entry Programs Unlock Prison Doors For Good

The persistent social issues that haunt Connecticut center on disparity: urban poverty encircled by wealth, the academic achievement gap between poor and more affluent students, and our criminal justice system, in which people of color are 70 percent of all prison inmates while being only 20 percent of the state's population.

Balancing Election Costs in Hartford, Connecticut

High elections cost estimates almost caused the Republican registrar in Hartford, Connecticut to cancel the town’s Republican presidential primary. The city council had allocated $120,000 to the registrar’s office. Of that, slightly more than half was supposed to pay for

Best of #StateReads: Changed Minds on the Death Penalty

This week’s extraordinary journalism about state government, tagged to #StateReads on Twitter.

Connecticut Revisits Old-School Medicaid Financing

While most states are banking on managed care to hold down Medicaid costs, Connecticut has a different plan. The state has returned to directly reimbursing health care providers.

Connecticut's Pro-Worker Measures Leave Business Feeling Resentful

HARTFORD - Last year, Democrats in Connecticut required private companies to give paid sick days to thousands of mostly low-wage employees. This year, they are considering raising the minimum wage from $8.25 to $9.75 an hour. Business interests are crying foul.

Secure Communities Program Draws Criticism in Two States

PUBLIC SAFETY BEAT: An immigration control effort stirs complaints of federal intrusion into local and state law enforcement.

Report Finds 80 Percent Recidivism Rate in Connecticut

TODAY'S TAKE: A detailed state report to be released today (February 15) finds that nearly 80 percent of men released from Connecticut prisons in 2005 were arrested again by 2010.

Connecticut State of the State Address 2012

HARTFORD, Connecticut - Feb. 8 - Following is the prepared text of Gov. Dannel Malloy's (D) 2011 state of the state address: Mr. President, Mr. Speaker, Senator McKinney, Representative Cafero, my fellow state officials, ladies and gentlemen of the General Assembly, honored members of the Judiciary, mem

State Commissioners Ask EPA for Stricter Vehicle and Fuel Standards

ENERGY & ENVIRONMENT BEAT: Several state environmental commissioners say that new federal vehicle and fuel standards would be a boon to public health.

Election Websites: Connecticut

Being Online Is Still Not Enough provides state-by-state reviews and analysis based on detailed criteria of election websites for all 50 states and the District of Columbia.

Special Sessions: A Calculated Risk

The legislative year ended for most states during the summer, but special sessions are bringing many lawmakers back to their capitals. The success of such sessions can depend on the behind-the-scenes deal-making that precedes them.

Connecticut Approves Bipartisan Jobs Plan

ECONOMY & BUSINESS BEAT: State lawmakers in Connecticut eased business regulations, created new tax credits and authorized infrastructure improvements in an overwhelmingly bipartisan, $626 million job-creation effort.

Labor Scuffles Continue in New York and Connecticut

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Most of the Connecticut employees laid off as a result of a battle over contract concessions this summer have since been rehired. Meanwhile, New York sent 3,500 workers layoff notices after rank-and-file members of a large union rejected an agreement last week.

Several States Quick to Opt for No Child waivers

TODAY'S TAKE: Connecticut, Oregon, New Mexico and Wisconsin immediately said they would seek waivers from key requirements of the No Child Left Behind law, an option announced by the president on Friday (September 23).

Special Legislative Sessions to Focus on Jobs

ECONOMY & BUSINESS BEAT: Deficit reduction may be the talk in Washington, but job creation is the priority in the states. Connecticut and Missouri are planning special sessions on economic development.

On Second Try, Connecticut Unions Ratify Contracts

MANAGEMENT BEAT: State workers avert 5,500 layoffs by agreeing to a wage freeze and major changes to retirement and health care benefits.

Income Tax Hikes Take Effect in Connecticut

TODAY'S TAKE: Starting today (August 1), many Connecticut workers will see smaller paychecks, due to income tax increases approved by the legislature earlier this year. Some workers may be surprised at the size of the deductions, which are retroactive to January.

Connecticut Unions Seek to Avert Widespread Layoffs

MANAGEMENT BEAT: Rank-and-file state employees in Connecticut unexpectedly turned down new contracts in June, rejecting an agreement between union leaders and Governor Dannel Malloy. Now a high-stakes re-vote will determine the fate of 6,500 positions.