Governor Dannel Malloy's budget chief says a proposal to give Connecticut taxpayers a modest rebate will create an estimated 1,000 jobs. Benjamin Barnes appeared before the General Assembly's Finance Committee today. The committee is considering Governor Malloy's proposal to use $155 million of the state's estimated $505 million budget surplus to provide rebates in September. Barnes says most recipients will likely spend the money on goods and services in Connecticut relatively quickly, creating a "high multiplier effect.
In spite of complaints from teachers across the state about the rollout of new education standards and guidelines, some education officials are urging state lawmakers to oppose efforts to stop it . State Education Commissioner Stefan Pryor testified on Wednesday before the legislature's Education Committee, and said previous standards "are not making the grade."
Improvements in State Housing Market
Connecticut's housing market continued to improve in January, and market-watchers said it's possible the state could see major gains in the spring selling season. The state also saw improvement in its housing market activity for the full year of 2013, with sales up six percent and prices rising 8.3 percent over the year.
Cheshire Home Invasion Killer Sends Suicide Note
Earlier this week, one of the men convicted in the Cheshire home invasion murders was found unresponsive in his prison cell and was hospitalized. T he Hartford Courant says they received a suicide note from Steven Hayes on Wednesday. In the letter, Hayes described his living conditions as intolerable and accused the prison staff of inflicting physical and mental torment.
Governor Wants Ban of E-Cigarettes to Minors
Governor Malloy wants to ban the sale of electronic cigarettes to minors. He said the makers of the devices may be trying to hook young smokers. Malloy says they have been a gateway for children to start using tobacco.The state and federal government currently do not regulate the devices, but 27 other states have banned the sale of e-cigarettes to children.
