Campaign for Governor heats up this week.
CRN Big Fall Event is Oct.15.
News and notes from the State Capitol.
News and notes from around the state.
Remembering 9/11
- With Labor Day behind us, the campaign season has begun in earnest and this week the race for Governor had each candidate pointing fingers at the other.
- Earlier in the week, at a state bond commission meeting that Governor Lamont chairs and his opponent Sen. Ryan Fazio is a member, that two candidates sparred briefly over public benefits charges on customer utility bills
- Mark Pazniokas takes a look at the meeting and the brief exchange between the two candidates. You can go here to read that.
- Yesterday, both candidates took swipes at each other – but for different reasons.
- At a public press conference yesterday, Fazio criticized Lamont for his too-laissez-faire attitude towards state government that has lead to “corruption and malfeasance” in Harford. The Mirror has more on that story here.
- Lamont for his part, tried to link Fazio to the Trump Administration and to the activities of ICE.
- Once again Mark Paz takes a deep dive at that ad. You can go here to read that.
Save the Date – CRN’s 2026 Big Fall event.
- CRN’s Big Fall event is coming up – just a month away. It will be on Thursday morning, October 15th at the Bushnell Center for the Performing Arts’ Autorino Great Hall.
- We have invited both candidates running for the office of Governor to be our special guests, and we’re hoping that their schedules will permit them to join us.
- We look forward to hearing from Governor Lamont, the Democratic nominee, and the Republican candidate for Governor, State Senator Ryan Fazio.
- Registration is open and sponsorship opportunities are now available.
- Please visit our website, ctretailnetwork.com to learn more about our program, and the scrumptious catered buffet we’ll share. Parking- just across the street from the Bushnell – is free!
- You can share a copy of our flyer with colleagues. Most of all, we look forward to seeing you on October 15th!
News and Notes from the State Capitol
- Transit projects, schools and housing were the big winners in Tuesday’s State Bond Commission meeting. The commission approved about $1.9 billion in funds for 50 projects, ranging in cost from a few hundred thousand dollars into the hundreds of millions. Details here from CTNewsJunkie.
- Republicans in the General Assembly renewed their call this week to slash state income taxes and offer other relief to middle-class households struggling with Connecticut’s high cost of living. CT Mirror has the details here.
- The state Freedom of Information Commission criticized utility regulators for another inadequate response to a public records request and, after extended discussion, decided to admonish a top regulatory official. The Hartford Courant has the details here.
- Special education programs face a funding crisis this year that cannot be solved unless Connecticut reforms controversial state budget caps that have diverted billions of dollars to pay down pension debt, Comptroller Sean Scanlon said this week. Details reported by CT Mirror’s Keith Phaneuf here.
- After worsening significantly during the coronavirus pandemic, a key metric shows household poverty shrinking modestly in Connecticut between 2023 and 2024. The details are reported here by CT Mirror.
- Legislators are sounding the alarm surrounding the dangers of artificial intelligence after recent news regarding its capabilities. WTNH News8 has that update here.
News and notes from around the state
- As students return to school, state officials and private partners are joining forces to launch a pair of media campaigns aimed at informing residents how to access help for young people who may be experiencing mental health challenges. Details reported by CTNewsJunkie here.
- Hartford Public Library has announced that Lucy Nalpathanchil has been named Chief Advancement Officer. Details here reported by Hartford Business Journal.
- After struggling to fill the former Macy’s space they purchased at Waterbury’s Brass Mill Center three years ago, West Hartford investors Sami and Dr. Nazeeh Abunasra are seeking a zoning change that would allow self-storage at the property. Details here reported by Hartford Business Journal.
- State officials are taking action against prediction market companies, accusing them Thursday of allowing people to gamble on sports and other events illegally. Details reported by CT Post here.
- The University of Connecticut is withdrawing plans for a golf practice facility at a location in Mansfield that locals have been protesting for months. CT Public has the details here.
- Twenty-five years after the tragic events of September 11, 2001, Connecticut’s landscape of remembrance is still evolving. Over 80 memorials have been built to honor the 161 victims who had ties to Connecticut, including the many first responders who aided in the relief. Details here from CT Insider.