The Wheelhouse

Connecticut's five U.S. Representatives stood with their Democratic colleagues and four Republicans Tuesday in rebuking President Donald Trump for his Twitter attacks against a group of minority congresswomen who have become known as "The Squad."

Now what?

Today we look at what the House resolution, approved on a  240-187 vote, means for an increasingly divided Democratic Party, Trump's base of support, the 2020 presidential election, and race relations in a country undergoing seismic demographic changes.

Here in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont this week found new allies--his counterparts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island--in his bid for highway tolls. He's also dangling a new deal before state lawmakers to draw them back to Hartford this year to vote on a toll plan. Will they bite?

And it looks like more hot days are ahead for Hartford. A new study warns the city could see as many as 44 days a year of summer temperatures above 90 degrees by 2050. 

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut's five U.S. Representatives stood with their Democratic colleagues and four Republicans Tuesday in rebuking President Donald Trump for his Twitter attacks against a group of minority congresswomen who have become known as "The Squad."

Now what?

Today we look at what the House resolution, approved on a  240-187 vote, means for an increasingly divided Democratic Party, Trump's base of support, the 2020 presidential election, and race relations in a country undergoing seismic demographic changes.

Here in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont this week found new allies--his counterparts in Massachusetts and Rhode Island--in his bid for highway tolls. He's also dangling a new deal before state lawmakers to draw them back to Hartford this year to vote on a toll plan. Will they bite?

And it looks like more hot days are ahead for Hartford. A new study warns the city could see as many as 44 days a year of summer temperatures above 90 degrees by 2050. 

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Gov. Ned Lamont is in search of a new look at his State Capitol office, and we're not just talking about the new wallpaper and carpeting he wants to install.

Staff changes also are in the works, including a new spokesman, NBC Connecticut political reporter Max Reiss.

This week, we gauge what this all means for Lamont's agenda, as well as his relations with the media and state lawmakers.

Legislators have yet to budge on the governor's call for them to reconvene in special session to take up a highway toll plan. Is it time to come up with a Plan B for funding vital upgrades to the state's transportation system?

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gov. Ned Lamont is in search of a new look at his State Capitol office, and we're not just talking about the new wallpaper and carpeting he wants to install.

Staff changes also are in the works, including a new spokesman, NBC Connecticut political reporter Max Reiss.

This week, we gauge what this all means for Lamont's agenda, as well as his relations with the media and state lawmakers.

Legislators have yet to budge on the governor's call for them to reconvene in special session to take up a highway toll plan. Is it time to come up with a Plan B for funding vital upgrades to the state's transportation system?

Support the show.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced Tuesday his support for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

The news arrived amid reports that the former vice president’s polling lead is shrinking, as California U.S. Senator Kamala Harris' numbers rise.

On this episode, our panel of reporters and political experts weighs in on this and other top stories from the week.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont announced Tuesday his support for Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden.

The news arrived amid reports that the former vice president’s polling lead is shrinking, as California U.S. Senator Kamala Harris' numbers rise.

On this episode, our panel of reporters and political experts weighs in on this and other top stories from the week.

Support the show.

Despite the many GOP losses in Connecticut races last election, state Republican insiders Tuesday night granted J.R. Romano a two-year extension as party chairman. In the end, only one challenger stepped up to oppose him. The vote wasn't even close.

This week, we take measure of how Romano managed to hold onto the post, the hurdles he faces to make GOP candidates more competitive, and the role of state party chairs at a time when campaign dollars increasingly flow from sources outside their control.

We also revisit UConn's costly quest to become a football powerhouse as it considers joining a reconstituted Big East Conference firmly built around basketball. Is it time to finally throw in the towel on the path to gridiron glory?

And we consider the implications of U.S. Rep. Jim Himes breaking with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on whether to move forward with the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Despite the many GOP losses in Connecticut races last election, state Republican insiders Tuesday night granted J.R. Romano a two-year extension as party chairman. In the end, only one challenger stepped up to oppose him. The vote wasn't even close.

This week, we take measure of how Romano managed to hold onto the post, the hurdles he faces to make GOP candidates more competitive, and the role of state party chairs at a time when campaign dollars increasingly flow from sources outside their control.

We also revisit UConn's costly quest to become a football powerhouse as it considers joining a reconstituted Big East Conference firmly built around basketball. Is it time to finally throw in the towel on the path to gridiron glory?

And we consider the implications of U.S. Rep. Jim Himes breaking with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on whether to move forward with the impeachment of President Donald Trump.

Support the show.

If large corporations, like United Technologies, are increasingly eyeing urban hubs for future growth, what are we doing to put our cities at the cusp of that trend? Or more likely, what aren't we doing as a state?

This week, we take stock of what cities such as Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport have to offer CEOs looking to relocate their companies, and where they fall short. 

Access to mass transit has long been seen as a deterrent to business growth in Connecticut. Will new Hartford Line ridership numbers, beating initial expectations, spur further rail investments across the state?

We also shine a light on the less-than-transparent actions taken by the legislature this year, including pay raises for legislative staff quietly added to the state budget.

And we reflect on Sandy Hook conspiracy theorists who were spanked in two civil court cases this week.

Support the show: http://wnpr.org/donate

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If large corporations, like United Technologies, are increasingly eyeing urban hubs for future growth, what are we doing to put our cities at the cusp of that trend? Or more likely, what aren't we doing as a state?

This week, we take stock of what cities such as Hartford, New Haven, and Bridgeport have to offer CEOs looking to relocate their companies, and where they fall short. 

Access to mass transit has long been seen as a deterrent to business growth in Connecticut. Will new Hartford Line ridership numbers, beating initial expectations, spur further rail investments across the state?

We also shine a light on the less-than-transparent actions taken by the legislature this year, including pay raises for legislative staff quietly added to the state budget.

And we reflect on Sandy Hook conspiracy theorists who were spanked in two civil court cases this week.

Support the show.