The Full Story

After an emotional struggle over the 9/11 Victim Compensation Fund, President Trump signs the bill to renew it. Bridgeport moves one step closer to getting a casino. And the plastic bag ban goes into effect in Connecticut. We'll discuss these stories and more with guests: J.D. Allen, news editor, WSHU Ebong Udoma, senior political reporter, WSHU Dan Haar, columnist and associate editor, Connecticut Hearst Connecticut Media Emilie Munson, state capitol reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media Susan

Connecticut’s new transportation commissioner Joseph Giulietti talks to The Full Story and responds to questions from our listeners. What’s in store for buses, roads and bridges and how will we pay for it all? Our guests: Joseph Giulietti, commissioner, Connecticut Department of Transportation Patrick Sasser, founder, No Tolls CT Jim Gildea, chair, Connecticut Commuter Rail Council Jim Cameron, founder, Commuter Action Group Neil Tolhurst, Connecticut resident, transportation advocate

Are technology data centers the answer to some of the economic woes of our region? Plans are already underway to build one in New Britain and others on Long Island. We find out more about tech data centers with guests: Kathy Hochul, New York lieutenant governor Terri Alessi-Miceli, president and CEO, Hauppauge Industrial Association of Long Island Joe Campolo, managing partner, Campolo Middleton & McCormick, LLP Matt Pilon, news editor, Hartford Business Journal

Some say tolls in Connecticut are dead. But Governor Lamont hasn’t given up on them. But are tolls the only option? Other states have funded their transportation projects with infrastructure banks. We take the pulse on the possibility of tolls in Connecticut. Our guests: Jim Cameron, founder, Commuter Action Group Chris Perone, Connecticut state representative, D-Norwalk ; member, Appropriati0ns Committee; chair, Transportation Committee; chief transportation financial officer, Connecticut House

A study released last week found at least half of the ticks collected in five towns in Suffolk County tested positive for Lyme disease. Adult ticks in East Hampton and Shelter Island had the highest infection rate, at 66%. Rates above 50% were present in Huntington, Islip and Babylon. What’s being done to stem the spread of tickborne illnesses on Long Island and in Connecticut? Our guests: Scott Campbell, PhD, director, Arthropod-borne Disease Laboratory, Suffolk County Department of Health

The Connecticut House fails to override Governor Lamont’s vetoes. The Trump administration wants to cut back on the SNAP program. What will that mean to families in our region who rely on the program to feed their children? Also, the MTA approves a restructuring plan that could eliminate more than 2,000 jobs. We'll discuss these topics and more, with guests: Ana Radelat, reporter, Connecticut Mirror Mark Pazniokas, capitol bureau chief, Connecticut Mirror Ken Dixon, state capitol reporter and

$100 million! That’s how much the foundation of hedge fund billionaire Ray Dalio has pledged to give Connecticut to help the state’s low-performing public schools. But the project has been exempt from transparency and ethics rules, which has some officials worried. Are these public-private partnerships a good idea? We find out with guests: Christopher Keating, capitol bureau chief, Hartford Courant Vincent Candelora, Connecticut state representative, R-Branford Patrice McCarthy, deputy director

New York’s landmark climate law means the state will need aggressive renewable energy projects to meet its goals. It has started by approving two wind farm proposals off the coast of Long Island. Will wind power help New York meet its goals? And what will the state do about the concerns of residents and the fishing industry? Our guests: Doreen Harris, vice president for large-scale renewables, NYSERDA Gregg Lampman, program manager for environmental research, NYSERDA Karl Grossman, investigative

Health insurance rates could be going up in Connecticut. Some companies have already asked the state for a rate hike in 2020. At the same time, a lawsuit backed by the Trump administration and red states could undo the Affordable Care Act. What would that mean for our region? We examine the health of health care with our guests: Matt Pilon, news editor, Hartford Business Journal Kevin Lembo, Connecticut comptroller Michelle Rakebrand, assistant counsel, Connecticut Business and Industry

Which way will the Democratic Party go? All the way to the left? Perhaps a more moderate approach? And what’s going on with the Republicans? Both major parties are experiencing an identity crisis. We explore this struggle to define the future of these parties with guests: Gary Rose, Ph.D., professor and chair, Department of Government, Politics and Global Studies, Sacred Heart University Phil Boyle, New York state senator, R-Bay Shore Rob Sampson, Connecticut state senator, R-Wolcott Josh