State

Hempsters Organize, Seize Moment

by | Feb 25, 2019 3:10 pm | Comments (0)

CBD producers Matt Fastuca, Mike Simpson at hemp strategy session.

Fattie Roots pumps up the reggae at Saturday’s gathering.

Tinctures and textiles perched on tables around the room, a reggae band played, and the taps were flowing. Everything was in place to celebrate the launch of a new association for Connecticut’s emerging hemp industry — everything, that is, except for needed regulations.

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Lamont Taps New Haven Nonprofit Developer Seila Mosquera-Bruno As Next Housing Chief

by | Feb 22, 2019 1:59 pm | Comments (4)

Thomas Breen photo

Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz with newly appointing Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno on a 2018 campaign trip to Fair Haven.

The governor has tapped the head of a New Haven-based affordable housing nonprofit to be the state’s next housing commissioner.

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Cain Makes Case On Cop-Poaching

by | Feb 15, 2019 1:53 pm | Comments (11)

Racheal Cain testifying Thursday in Hartford.

When officers leave New Haven for the suburbs — as dozens have been — the city is losing an average of $31,600 in the cost of training them. (Their new employers generally assume that cost.) Assistant Police Chief Racheal Cain traveled to Hartford Thursday to ask state legislators to help ease that burden by passing a law to require cops who leave the department within five years of obtaining certification to reimburse the city for training costs; the current law sets the limit for reimbursement at two years.

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Bysiewicz Serves “Debt Diet” Breakfast To Hamden Regional Chamber

by | Feb 13, 2019 3:17 pm | Comments (3)

Sam Gurwitt Photo

Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz: Governor is putting state on a debt diet.

While Hamden regional business people, state legislators, and citizens tucked into a breakfast of bacon, eggs, and pastries on Wednesday, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz got them ready to diet on debt.

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What Makes Sense At Union Station?

by | Feb 11, 2019 5:47 pm | Comments (47)

CHA

Another parking garage, as pictured above?

Wladyslaw Prosol illustration

Or, as pictured above, a twin tower” of apartments and stores surrounded by smaller buildings with a pedestrian neighborhood feel?

Those are two competing visions now on the table for the 1.6‑acre asphalt stretch of Union Avenue between Route 34 and the existing Union Station parking garage.

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You Asked: State Says Alexion Paid Back $28M

by | Feb 4, 2019 4:05 pm | Comments (3)

A commenter named ElmCityAle posed the following question in a comment posted to a recent story about the decision by Yale to lease the half of the 100 College St. tower left vacant by Alexion Pharmaceuticals’ decision to move much of its local operation to Boston:

It would be helpful if NHI included a thorough accounting of the payback of 100% of all public funds involved in the Alexion incentive deal. This was also requested in several comments of the NHI story that broke the news of Alexion moving their headquarters to Boston.

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With 314 Bills, Local Dems Aim High

by | Feb 1, 2019 1:25 pm | Comments (25)

Thomas Breen photo

Now it’s in writing: State Sen. Prez Martin Looney (center) surrounded by the local delegation.

Raise the minimum wage. Legalize recreational marijuana. Create a paid family medical leave program. And build affordable housing in the suburbs.

Oh, and don’t forget property tax reform. Or school district regionalization. Or criminal justice reform.

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Looney, Waterbury Mayor Back Tolls, Shared Services

by | Jan 17, 2019 1:33 pm | Comments (7)

Waterbury Mayor and Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM) President Neil O’Leary and New Haven State Sen. Martin Looney don’t always agree. But on tolls, regionalization, and special education funding, they find themselves supporting the same causes.

That agreement was apparent on the latest episode of WNHH’s The Municipal Voice.”

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Looney Reelected State Senate Leader; Vows Push For Family Leave

by | Jan 9, 2019 1:34 pm | Comments (2)

Contributed Photo

Looney Wednesday addressing State Senate.

Democrats plan to use their new near-super-majorities in the Connecticut legislature to pass a paid family and medical leave law, raise the minimum wage, and expand the state’s second chance” criminal justice reforms and job-training and higher ed programs.

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Urbanists Sketch Garage-Free Union Ave.

by | Jan 7, 2019 8:34 am | Comments (19)

Christopher Peak Photo

Gioia Connell presents ideas at brainstorming session.

Two 10-story residential towers, skirted by businesses and artist lofts. A village of shipping containers, arrayed by young architects. An outdoor beer garden. Protected bike lanes. Parks and plazas.

Fifteen New Urbanist advocates presented those ideas as better alternatives to a massive new parking garage at Union Station.

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