House Approves Bill Legalizing Mixed Martial Arts; Status Unclear In State Senate

By On May 7, 2013 · 1 Comment

The state House of Representatives voted Tuesday to legalize mixed martial arts, despite some concerns from lawmakers that the sport is particularly brutal.

The bill passed on a bipartisan basis by 117 to 26 with seven members absent.

“Personally, I’m not a fan of the sport, but I think the argument regarding the brutality of the sport [...]

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Speaker Sharkey Defends Malloy On People Magazine Trip; Says Malloy Could Reimburse The Washington, D.C. Expenses If Necessary

By On May 1, 2013 · 6 Comments

House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey came to the defense of Gov. Dannel P. Malloy regarding his weekend trip to a high-profile dinner in Washington, D.C. that was paid by People Magazine.

Senate Republican leader John McKinney charged Wednesday that it was a clear violation of the state’s ethics laws for a major corporation to pay [...]

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As Democrats Launch Final Push on Immigrant License Bill, A Top Republican Says He Open to the Idea

By On April 29, 2013 · 24 Comments

As top Democratic lawmakers launch a final push for a bill that would permit undocumented immigrants to obtain a Connecticut drivers license, the Republican leader in the House said he is open to the idea.

Larry Cafero, R-Norwalk, said he is “intrigued” by the proposal and would consider backing it provided several [...]

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Supporters of Immigrant License Bill Not Giving Up

By On April 24, 2013 · 4 Comments

As reported earlier this month, a bill that would give undocumented immigrants the right to obtain a state-issued driver’s license died on the legislature’s transportation committee.

But advocates are continuing to press their case. They will bring a group of high-powered supporters, including mayors of some of the state’s largest cities and House Speaker [...]

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House Votes To Require Higher Ed President To Be Appointed By Board

By On April 10, 2013 · 1 Comment

Prompted by major controversy regarding the Board of Regents for higher education, the state House of Representatives voted overwhelmingly Wednesday for a bipartisan bill that would require the board president to be appointed by the board – reducing the role of the governor.

The bill was related directly to the case of Robert Kennedy, the high-profile president [...]

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Gov. Malloy Signs Strict Gun Control Bill After Sandy Hook Massacre

By On April 4, 2013 · 35 Comments

Surrounded by family members of the victims of the Newtown shootings, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy signed one of the nation’s toughest gun control laws Thursday after three months of hearings and debates in Connecticut.

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Top Leaders Declare Progress On Gun Control Compromise; Meeting Again Thursday

By On March 6, 2013 · 5 Comments

Saying they made progress in closed-door talks on gun control, the legislature’s top leaders said they will meet again Thursday in the hopes of reaching a bipartisan deal.

Both Republicans and Democrats met at the state Capitol as they tried to reach consensus on reforms following the shootings of 20 children and 7 adults in the Danbury [...]

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Hewett Letter To Sharkey: Case Closed On Snake Comment

By On March 6, 2013 · 4 Comments

OK then.

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Sharkey Convenes “Respectful” Meeting With Female Lawmakers After Hewett Controversy

By On March 5, 2013 · 15 Comments

Female members of the House Democratic caucus met with House Speaker Brendan Sharkey Tuesday afternoon to discuss sexual harassment at the Capitol.

Rep. Ernest Hewett, the New London Democrat whose comments to a teenager during a hearing last month sparked the conversation, did not attend.

Sharkey said he was “deeply disappointed” by Hewett’s decision to [...]

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Labor Committee Approves Minimum Wage Hike Over 2 Years; New Speaker Hesitant

By On February 28, 2013 · 36 Comments

Wading into a controversial issue, the legislature’s labor committee voted 7 – 3 Thursday to approve an increase in the minimum wage by $1.50 per hour over two years.

The vote came on the same day that House Speaker J. Brendan Sharkey, a small business owner who is known to be more conservative on some [...]

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