The Wheelhouse

The regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourns at the stroke of midnight four weeks from tonight.

So far, none of the biggest policy goals identified early on by majority Democrats have made their way to the governor's desk for his consideration.

Not electronic highway tolls. Not legalizing recreational marijuana. Not sports betting. Not paid family and medical leave.

Even increasing the state's minimum wage, which the House of Representatives may take up later on Wednesday, has turned into a tougher battle than many expected.

This week, we take stock of the hurdles in front of these bills. And we ask what happens if none of them make it over the finish line.

We also plunge into the increasingly fierce debate over school immunization requirements. With recent measles outbreaks, is it time to end an exemption based on religious objections?

And if Connecticut is going to scrap its "Still Revolutionary" tourism campaign, what slogan should take its place? We toss around some ideas.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The regular session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourns at the stroke of midnight four weeks from tonight.

So far, none of the biggest policy goals identified early on by majority Democrats have made their way to the governor's desk for his consideration.

Not electronic highway tolls. Not legalizing recreational marijuana. Not sports betting. Not paid family and medical leave.

Even increasing the state's minimum wage, which the House of Representatives may take up later on Wednesday, has turned into a tougher battle than many expected.

This week, we take stock of the hurdles in front of these bills. And we ask what happens if none of them make it over the finish line.

We also plunge into the increasingly fierce debate over school immunization requirements. With recent measles outbreaks, is it time to end an exemption based on religious objections?

And if Connecticut is going to scrap its "Still Revolutionary" tourism campaign, what slogan should take its place? We toss around some ideas.

Support the show.

For all the recent attention bestowed on Democratic Party progressives, there's new evidence so-called centrists aren't going to just fade away.

Not with former Vice President Joe Biden taking a commanding early lead over the many 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls running to his left. National polls released Tuesday cast Biden well ahead of Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and others vying for the party's nomination.

In Connecticut, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont scored his own early victory this week over progressives in the legislature clamoring for him to raise taxes on the state's wealthiest residents. The General Assembly's Finance Committee is backing away, at least temporarily, from a 2 percent capital gains tax hike for top income earners.

With weeks, if not months, of state budget negotiations, still ahead, there's plenty of time for liberals in the legislature to wrestle back momentum. The same thing goes in the presidential race.  The question is where should they pick their battles.

This week, we set out to gauge where the true center lies in Democratic Party politics on issues ranging from taxes  to healthcare.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For all the recent attention bestowed on Democratic Party progressives, there's new evidence so-called centrists aren't going to just fade away.

Not with former Vice President Joe Biden taking a commanding early lead over the many 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls running to his left. National polls released Tuesday cast Biden well ahead of Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, and others vying for the party's nomination.

In Connecticut, Democratic Gov. Ned Lamont scored his own early victory this week over progressives in the legislature clamoring for him to raise taxes on the state's wealthiest residents. The General Assembly's Finance Committee is backing away, at least temporarily, from a 2 percent capital gains tax hike for top income earners.

With weeks, if not months, of state budget negotiations, still ahead, there's plenty of time for liberals in the legislature to wrestle back momentum. The same thing goes in the presidential race.  The question is where should they pick their battles.

This week, we set out to gauge where the true center lies in Democratic Party politics on issues ranging from taxes  to healthcare.

Support the show.

This hour, we look at how successful Governor Ned Lamont's first hundred days were, and what his plans are to create a "cost-efficient, user friendly" government. Meanwhile, he's at odds with fellow Democrats over a proposed controversal tax increase on the state's wealthy residents.

Also, more allegations against Purdue Pharma - that the company and its owners promoted deadly opioid addiction. Attorney General Willam Tong says the allegations "demostrate callous indifference" with how the pharmaceutical executives approached their work.  

And we look at two officer-involved shootings in Connecticut.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, we look at how successful Governor Ned Lamont's first hundred days were, and what his plans are to create a "cost-efficient, user friendly" government. Meanwhile, he's at odds with fellow Democrats over a proposed controversal tax increase on the state's wealthy residents.Also, more allegations against Purdue Pharma - that the company and its owners promoted deadly opioid addiction. Attorney General Willam Tong says the allegations "demostrate callous indifference" with how the pharmaceutical executives approached their work.  

And we look at two officer-involved shootings in Connecticut.

Support the show.

Stop & Shop employees continue to strike in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, prompting some customers to fill their grocery carts elsewhere. 

An anti-toll rally draws an underwhelming crowd in Hartford, despite receiving promotion from several influential radio hosts (and we're not talking about Colin McEnroe here).

And while state lawmakers debate religious exemptions for vaccines, a third measles case is confirmed in Connecticut.

This hour, we talk through some of the week’s top stories.

We also consider how a “no-drama” personna is helping Congresswoman Jahana Hayes.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stop & Shop employees continue to strike in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island, prompting some customers to fill their grocery carts elsewhere. 

An anti-toll rally draws an underwhelming crowd in Hartford, despite receiving promotion from several influential radio hosts (and we're not talking about Colin McEnroe here).

And while state lawmakers debate religious exemptions for vaccines, a third measles case is confirmed in Connecticut.

This hour, we talk through some of the week’s top stories.

We also consider how a “no-drama” personna is helping Congresswoman Jahana Hayes.

Support the show.

The state's desperation for new revenue is certainly fueling this year's push to legalize marijuana.

But for many Democrats in the legislature, a larger goal is addressing racial injustices created by a crackdown on illegal drugs that has inordinately targeted non-whites.

A bill surviving a key vote this week ties legalization to the expungement of criminal records for those convicted of minor cannabis possesion. Now the debate shifts to whether taxes raised by legal sales should be specifically directed to urban communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.

Speaking of new revenue, Connecticut's wealthiest couple is contributing $100 million to help at-risk youth stay in school. But that too is creating a tug of war between cities and towns.

This week, we get into the weeds in these battles, as well as why Ned Lamont is backing off on some of his budget proposals, such as his bid to adjust cost-of-living increases for retired state employees.

And, could Hartford be in the running to host one of next year's presidential debates?

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The state's desperation for new revenue is certainly fueling this year's push to legalize marijuana.But for many Democrats in the legislature, a larger goal is addressing racial injustices created by a crackdown on illegal drugs that has inordinately targeted non-whites.

A bill surviving a key vote this week ties legalization to the expungement of criminal records for those convicted of minor cannabis possesion. Now the debate shifts to whether taxes raised by legal sales should be specifically directed to urban communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.

Speaking of new revenue, Connecticut's wealthiest couple is contributing $100 million to help at-risk youth stay in school. But that too is creating a tug of war between cities and towns.

This week, we get into the weeds in these battles, as well as why Ned Lamont is backing off on some of his budget proposals, such as his bid to adjust cost-of-living increases for retired state employees.

And, could Hartford be in the running to host one of next year's presidential debates?

Support the show.