State

City Rejects Greer Companies' Tax-Credit Bid

by | Jun 6, 2022 8:46 am | Comments (6)

Homes on largely Greer company-controlled stretch of Elm Street.

Chris Peak file photo

Rabbi Greer, whose companies have now been turned down by the Elicker Administration for state tax credit program eligibility.

The Elicker Administration has now said no to steering more government-backed money to companies controlled by imprisoned sex predator Daniel Greer — after receiving clarifying guidance, and biting legal criticism, from the state agency that oversees an annual neighborhood-boosting state tax credit program.

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After Massacre, Guns On Campaign Radar

by | May 27, 2022 2:41 pm | Comments (10)

Paul Bass Photo

Rosa DeLauro (second from right) Friday at Botanical Garden of Healing Dedicated to Victims of Gun Violence with parent-survivors (from left) Michael Song, Marlene Pratt-Miller, Pamela Jaynez, Celeste Robinson Fulcher

This brick represents my son,” Pamela Jaynez said Friday as she and other moms whose lives were changed by gun violence guided their U.S. Congresswoman down a path of remembrance — and campaign issue-framing.

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New Haven Rising Endorses Russell For State Treasurer

by | May 27, 2022 8:30 am | Comments (3)

Thomas Breen Photo

Erick Russell at party convention accepting the Democratic endorsement for state treasurer.

A leading local labor advocacy group has thrown its political weight behind Erick Russell’s campaign for state treasurer — in advance of August’s contested Democratic Party primary, which will see two New Haveners on the ballot.

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1-Time Child Tax Credit Celebrated; Pols Promise To Press For Permanence

by | May 23, 2022 4:04 pm | Comments (2)

At presser, from left: U.S. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, Rebekah Moore, State Rep. Sean Scanlon, State Sen. Martin Looney.

Rebekah Moore will get one $250 check — then her state and federal representatives will fight to have the government send more checks in the future to working parents like her.

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Lawmakers Hail Action On Mental Health

by | May 18, 2022 11:15 am | Comments (2)

Paul Bass Photo

State legislators Josh Elliott and Jorge Cabrera at WNHH FM.

Students will find more social workers and counselors in their schools. Mobile crisis centers will be on call 24 – 7. And some people wrestling with the long-term effects of trauma or addiction will get chance to see whether magic mushrooms” can help guide them through the darkness.

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KDW Commits To August Primary

by | May 16, 2022 5:30 pm | Comments (1)

Thomas Breen photo

Karen DuBois-Walton at the state Democratic Party's convention in Hartford.

Two New Haveners will be on the Democratic primary ballot for state treasurer this summer — as Karen DuBois-Walton committed to staying in the race and continuing to challenge state party-endorsed candidate, and fellow Elm City resident, Erick Russell.

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New Haven Delegation Eyes Statewide Ballot

by | May 6, 2022 9:30 pm | Comments (1)

New Haven Dems at the convention on Friday. Clockwise from top left: Ward 25 Co-Chair Janis Underwood and Newhallville Alder Devin-Avshalom-Smith; former mayoral chief of staff Tomas Reyes and former state party chair Nick Balletto; Kevin Walton, Ward 29 Co-Chair Audrey Tyson, and DTC Chair Vinnie Mauro; a table full of Maritza Bond supporters.

An exciting time. And a tough spot.

New Haven Democrats wrestled with those two feelings on the first day of a state party convention where they’ll have a chance to pick between three fellow New Haveners running in two crowded statewide races.

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Elicker Backs Bond; 3 New Haven Mayors Endorse DuBois-Walton

by | May 5, 2022 3:57 pm | Comments (8)

Thomas Breen photo

Mayor Elicker (center) and Bond.

Three New Haven mayors have thrown their support behind Karen DuBois-Walton’s bid for state treasurer — and the current occupant of the city’s highest elected office has also officially backed Maritza Bond for secretary of the state.

Treasurer hopeful Erick Russell, meanwhile, announced he too has won mayoral support — from chief executives of other Connecticut cities including Bridgeport’s and Hartford’s.

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Westville Weighs In Early On State Races

by | Apr 29, 2022 1:08 pm | Comments (3)

Aaron Goode and Caleb Kleppner help guide straw poll.

Westville Dems line up "Iowa Caucus"-style for Erick Russell.

An Iowa Caucus-type event in Westville offered a preview of next week’s Democratic Party state convention, as Erick Russell and Matt Lesser won landslide victories in a ranked-choice-vote straw poll held among nearly two dozen Westville Democrats.

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State-Chapel Affordable Apt. Plan Lands $1.8M From CHFA

by | Apr 29, 2022 9:55 am | Comments (7)

Beacon Communities image

Proposed housing slated to replace parking at 300 State lot. (Building on left would be new. Building on right currently exists.)

A Boston-based affordable housing developer’s plans to build 76 new apartments in the Ninth Square got a fiscal boost, thanks to a state award of $1.8 million in federal tax credits.

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Sabin Suggests: Free Bus Rides Forever

by | Apr 28, 2022 4:00 pm | Comments (17)

Thomas Breen photos

Downtown/East Rock Alder Eli Sabin (right) talking about buses by the hub on the Green.

So long, fares?

What if the current three-month CT Transit bus-fare holiday went on … forever?

Downtown/East Rock Alder Eli Sabin has raised that question, and thrown his support behind that outcome, with a newly submitted resolution that calls on the state to make riding the bus free for Connecticut residents, permanently.

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Treasurer Candidates Pitch Their Qualifications

by | Apr 21, 2022 4:25 pm | Comments (7)

Wednesday evening's candidate forum.

They agreed that Connecticut’s investments need bigger returns — and they each argued they were the best person to make that happen. The three candidates suddenly vying for the Democrats’ state treasurer nomination this year showed New Haven Democrats last night that what differentiates them is not politics — but what each of their individual qualifications say about their capacity to best serve in the position. 

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DuBois-Walton Makes Treasurer Run Official

by | Apr 15, 2022 1:20 pm | Comments (10)

Thomas Breen file photo

Karen DuBois-Walton, now officially a candidate for state treasurer.

Karen DuBois-Walton has officially thrown her hat into the ring for state treasurer — and will not be leaving her post at the city’s housing authority during the campaign. 

She made that announcement in an email sent out to city housing authority employees one day after a fellow active New Haven Democrat, Erick Russell, also formally jumped into that same statewide race.

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Tone Civil As Heated Race Hits Town

by | Apr 2, 2022 8:55 pm | Comments (15)

Kimberly Wipfler Photos

Pitching Democrats Saturday (clockwise from top left): Stephanie Thomas, Darryl Brackeen Jr., Martiza Bond, Hilda Santiago, Matt Lesser, Josh Elliott.

As soon as New Haven Health Director Maritza Bond took the stage to pitch her candidacy for secretary of the state, she asked the crowd to applaud Alder Darryl Brackeen Jr., another candidate, for his work throughout the pandemic. 

When he got up to speak after her, he returned the gratitude with another round of applause, this time for her work.

That reflected the tone Saturday as six Democrats seeking the party’s nomination for the state’s top elections position gathered in person at a forum in New Haven to make their case, and try to set themselves apart from the pack.

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Microloan Program Expands For Women Below Poverty Line

by | Apr 1, 2022 4:44 pm | Comments (3)

Jennifer Lopez sports a mask of her own design.

For more than 20 years, while she worked day jobs in nursing and security, Jennifer Lopez held onto her love of fashion.

Something always told me to follow it,” she said.

Lopez, a New Haven-based single parent with four kids, is now starting an accessories line and fashion education business. She said she was rejected from the first few loans for which she applied. Then, last October, she obtained a microloan from Grameen America. With the $2,000, she purchased supplies and registered her business under the name Jenna Line Customs LLC.

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State Bond Commission OK's $2M For Newhallville "Resilience Academy," $4.3M For Hamden Fire House

by and | Mar 31, 2022 5:42 pm | Comments (7)

Seven projects in New Haven and Hamden — including a resilience academy” proposed to replace a planned Newhallville methadone clinic — will soon receive roughly $12.5 million in state-borrowed aid, thanks to a series of bonding approvals in Hartford on Thursday. 

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New Haven Pushes Affordable Housing Bills

by | Mar 25, 2022 12:34 pm | Comments (9)

Zoom image

City legislative affairs chief Kevin Alvarez at commission meeting.

New Haven-backed state bills that would allow public housing authorities to develop properties in neighboring towns and that would require an assessment of the statewide need for affordable housing have advanced out of committee.

A third City Hall-endorsed housing reform bill — designed to promote transit-oriented development across Connecticut — is still in committee, with a potential public hearing coming soon.

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