Connecticut on Monday May 05, 2008

Archive of Connecticut on Monday May 05, 2008

Even in spring, heating oil prices a pain
By The Associated Press, The Telegraph (Nashua) (registration)
With the arrival of spring, thermostats are being turned down but prices keep going up for New Hampshire residents who use oil to heat their homes.
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Mental health policy costs state Medicaid funds
By Colin Poitras, The Hartford Courant (registration)
At a time when officials are scrambling to find money to balance the state budget, Connecticut is losing out on millions of dollars in federal Medicaid revenue because of its continued over-reliance on nursing homes to house the mentally ill.
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Locals developing taste for locally grown food
By The Associated Press, The Day (New London)
Concerns about food contamination and the environmental impact of long-haul transportation are stoking demand for locally grown food in Connecticut.
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Oh say, is that banner made in the U.S.A.?
By Kim Mendelsohn, Special to Stateline.org
Lawmakers in 10 states have taken steps to require that American flags bought with state funds be manufactured in this country. While not all the legislation has passed, one state’s new law even bans the sale of foreign-made American flags in that state.
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Colleges are allowing coed dorm rooms
By Staff, The Day (New London)
Erik Youngdahl and Michelle Garcia share a dorm room at Connecticut's Wesleyan University. But they say there's no funny business going on. Really. They mean it.
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Bill would shift care from nursing homes to communities
By The Associated Press, The Hartford Courant (registration)
State Senators have approved a plan to help more than 5,000 elderly and disabled people in Connecticut move from nursing homes and other institutions back to their homes or other community settings.
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Greenwich schools limit Boy Scouts recruiting
By The Associated Press, The Hartford Courant (registration)
GREENWICH, Conn. - The Greenwich schools superintendent has barred recruiting by Boy Scouts while classes are in session, drawing criticism from town officials and Boy Scouts supporters.
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UConn criticized for cost of President's inauguration
By Grace E. Merritt, The Hartford Courant (registration)
STORRS, Conn. - The University of Connecticut welcomed its new president in style with fireworks, a festival and a ceremony last month, but the $170,000 cost of the inauguration, including $29,000 for invitations alone, is setting off some fireworks of its own among students.
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Strapped governments revive pension bonds
By Michael McDonald and Adam L. Cataldo, The Washington Post (registration)
Pension bonds are making a comeback, as states and cities from Alaska to Philadelphia bet they can use the proceeds to help fill deficits in their retirement funds and still generate a higher return than what they pay in interest.
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Fairness of death-penalty panels questioned
By John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writer
Death-penalty supporters are raising questions about the fairness of state commissions charged with studying how capital punishment is carried out in Maryland and Tennessee, claiming the panels will issue reports that ignore their views.
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WORTH NOTING: Voters' guide promotes phone sex
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer
An Oregon voters’ guide lists a very wrong number. California’s governor insults rural legislators. And Pennsylvania considers selling wine in vending machines. In case you missed those stories this week, “Worth Noting” fills you in.
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Parents turn to states for autism help
By Daniel C. Vock, Stateline.org Staff Writer
(UPDATED 4 p.m. EDT, Thursday May 1) One of the toughest problems facing autism patients, their families and policymakers is paying for treatment. Families are increasingly relying on states to help them cope with the financial, medical and educational needs.

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With justices' OK, voter ID moves ahead
By Daniel C. Vock and John Gramlich, Stateline.org Staff Writers
A decision Monday (April 28) by the U.S. Supreme Court to let Indiana demand photo identification from voters paves the way for other states to do the same during November’s presidential election, experts say.
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Legislators prod Congress on Medicaid, Real ID
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer
As some states tumble into what they fear is a recession, state lawmakers from across the country are pushing Congress for relief from impending federal rules that would force states to pick up more Medicaid costs and spend billions to make drivers’ licenses more secure.
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Credit crunch hits states' college loans
By Pauline Vu, Stateline.org Staff Writer

(Updated 11:55 a.m. EDT, April 23, 2008)

The credit crisis has led some state lending agencies to suspend their federal and private student loan programs, forcing thousands of students to search elsewhere for money to pay for college.

Turf wars rage over fake grass
By Eric Kelderman, Stateline.org Staff Writer
State legislators are used to political turf wars. Now, debates in a handful of states really are about turf, pitting those who back the artificial variety against supporters of natural grass for playgrounds and athletic fields.
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More states offer choice in long-term care
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer
More states are poised to offer a successful alternative to traditional Medicaid plans that allows elders and the disabled to avoid moving to a nursing facility by hiring friends, neighbors or family members to look after them in their own homes.
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Will Democrats grow legislative edge in '08?
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

For the past several election cycles, the Democrats have been on a roll in legislative elections. This year, the party is well-positioned to hold its majority of chambers — but greatly expanding Democratic control may not be in the cards.

Partisan mix in R.I., Conn. poses challenges
By Louis Jacobson, Stateline.org Columnist

The blue states of Connecticut and Rhode Island have had a long tradition of electing Republican governors. But in both states, the combination has led at times to difficult — even chaotic — policymaking.
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'Don't forget us,' PA candidates tell voters
By Pamela M. Prah, Stateline.org Staff Writer
As Pennsylvanians prepare to go to the polls tomorrow to cast ballots in the April 22 presidential primary, experts wonder how the surge in registered voters will affect little-noticed state legislative races, particularly those in the House, where Democrats cling to a one-seat majority.
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WORTH NOTING: Illinois gov runs up travel tab
By Christine Vestal, Stateline.org Staff Writer
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich’s commuting costs start to add up. South Dakota Gov. Mike Rounds settles a dispute with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service over a cranky game warden. California corrections officials install “flushometers” to control wasteful toilet flushing in prisons. In case you missed any of those stories this week, "Worth Noting" fills you in.
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