As Congress works to come to a deal Wednesday to try to reopen the federal government, Connecticut is still dealing with the fallout from lack of government funds and agency support. Political scientist Ron Schurin appeared on WNPR's Where We Live to explain just why the political gridlock has been so tough. Other hot topics: ethical problems are plaguing a number of politicians in the state. That and more in The Wheelhouse Digest.
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FEDERAL SHUTDOWN RESULT OF A PERFECT STORM
Several factors have created a "gridlock on steroids."
On Wednesday's Wheelhouse episode of Where We Live, WNPR business reporter Sujata Srinivasan talked about how small businesses in Connecticut are being squeezed by the ongoing partial federal shutdown. Political scientist Ron Schurin also explained why the shutdown is less about routine spending issues, and more about moral concern and ideological agendas.
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ETHICAL QUAGMIRES
Everyone's getting in on it.
Secretary of State Denise Merrill has been under fire for using her office for apparent personal gain. An insurance company for the city of Hartford is entangled in financial, ethical and political troubles. And Tom Foley's story of what happened during a personal incident in 1981 may not be holding up. Jon Lender has the details.
Read more at The Hartford Courant.
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WOULD YOU BUY A USED SPORTS EVENT FROM CONNECTICUT?
"This is a pattern that repeats itself," wrote Colin McEnroe.
Connecticut is a little stuck supporting a publicly-funded tennis venue in New Haven, making sure it has activity to fill it. Colin McEnroe observed that the state is stuck, too, with a UConn football program that USA Today sports reporter Paul Meyerberg said is not in the big-time anymore, and is in a bad league, to boot. He said the state is making a massive bet, using taxpayer money.