The Wheelhouse

There are those who hope Joe Biden, as he weighs a 2020 presidential run, hasn't lost his touch for personal connections. There are others who wish he would.

A Connecticut resident is among the two women who came forward this week with complaints that the former Democratic vice president violated their personal space when greeting them at campaign events. Amy Lappos, a former staffer for U.S. Rep Jim Himes, says Biden pulled her toward him to rub noses. As it was happening, Lappos thought Biden intended to kiss her, she says.

This week, we judge the appropriateness of the 76-year-old's ways of expressing affection on the campaign trail, and that of his response to the women's criticisms. Does he really get the message of the #MeToo movement?

It's also the dawn of a new day for Connecticut. Gov. Ned Lamont is calling for an end to the era of unguarded spending on the state's credit card. This week, the State Bond Commission gave us a taste of what a "debt diet" will mean. 

Campaigning in Connecticut also may change if lawmakers pass legislation targeting candidate advertisements that use altered images of their opponents to cast them in a negative light.

We address that, as well as a bid to allow candidates to use campaign funds to cover their childcare costs.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are those who hope Joe Biden, as he weighs a 2020 presidential run, hasn't lost his touch for personal connections. There are others who wish he would.

A Connecticut resident is among the two women who came forward this week with complaints that the former Democratic vice president violated their personal space when greeting them at campaign events. Amy Lappos, a former staffer for U.S. Rep Jim Himes, says Biden pulled her toward him to rub noses. As it was happening, Lappos thought Biden intended to kiss her, she says.

This week, we judge the appropriateness of the 76-year-old's ways of expressing affection on the campaign trail, and that of his response to the women's criticisms. Does he really get the message of the #MeToo movement?

It's also the dawn of a new day for Connecticut. Gov. Ned Lamont is calling for an end to the era of unguarded spending on the state's credit card. This week, the State Bond Commission gave us a taste of what a "debt diet" will mean. 

Campaigning in Connecticut also may change if lawmakers pass legislation targeting candidate advertisements that use altered images of their opponents to cast them in a negative light.

We address that, as well as a bid to allow candidates to use campaign funds to cover their childcare costs.

Support the show.

"Treasonous" is a word President Donald Trump is now using to describe claims that he or those in his orbit conspired with Russian officials during the 2016 election. His re-election campaign is urging television news outlets to have second thoughts about booking some of the president's harshest critics, including Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

It's all part of the counterattack by Trump and his allies now that special counsel Robert Mueller, as  reported by Attorney General William Barr, has concluded his investigation without finding that "the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia."

This week, we debate whether the president's outrage is by any means justified. Blumenthal certainly doesn't think so.

We also examine new calls for the U.S. Supreme Court to address partisan gerrymandering, and for Connecticut to do away with state party conventions.

And as state lawmakers consider legalizing recreational marijuana, how much are they worrying about how cities will grapple with a potentially greater demand for more addiction treatment and other services? Live from our New Haven studio, we ponder that as well.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Treasonous" is a word President Donald Trump is now using to describe claims that he or those in his orbit conspired with Russian officials during the 2016 election. His re-election campaign is urging television news outlets to have second thoughts about booking some of the president's harshest critics, including Connecticut U.S. Sen. Richard Blumenthal.

It's all part of the counterattack by Trump and his allies now that special counsel Robert Mueller, as  reported by Attorney General William Barr, has concluded his investigation without finding that "the Trump campaign or anyone associated with it conspired or coordinated with Russia."

This week, we debate whether the president's outrage is by any means justified. Blumenthal certainly doesn't think so.

We also examine new calls for the U.S. Supreme Court to address partisan gerrymandering, and for Connecticut to do away with state party conventions.

And as state lawmakers consider legalizing recreational marijuana, how much are they worrying about how cities will grapple with a potentially greater demand for more addiction treatment and other services? Live from our New Haven studio, we ponder that as well.

Support the show.

As New Zealand reacts to the deadliest mass shooting in its history, the debate over guns is resurfacing here in Connecticut on many fronts.

The Connecticut Supreme Court has dealt a blow to the company that manufactures the semi-automatic rifle used in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Victims' families allowed to proceed with their lawsuit finally may be able to force Remington Arms into turning over information over how it markets such weapons.

Members of Connecticut's congressional delegation, meanwhile, are moving to block the use of federal education funds toward the arming of school teachers. And the state legislature is considering a new crop of gun bills.

This week, we take a big-picture look at what's happening. 

We also hone in on legislative proposals involving the ability of individuals to make healthcare and end-of-life decisions for themselves and their family members. One is a bill to allow doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medicine to terminally ill patients. The other seeks to prevent parents from objecting to child vaccinations on religious grounds.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As New Zealand reacts to the deadliest mass shooting in its history, the debate over guns is resurfacing here in Connecticut on many fronts.

The Connecticut Supreme Court has dealt a blow to the company that manufactures the semi-automatic rifle used in the 2012 massacre at Sandy Hook Elementary School. Victims' families allowed to proceed with their lawsuit finally may be able to force Remington Arms into turning over information over how it markets such weapons.

Members of Connecticut's congressional delegation, meanwhile, are moving to block the use of federal education funds toward the arming of school teachers. And the state legislature is considering a new crop of gun bills.

This week, we take a big-picture look at what's happening. 

We also hone in on legislative proposals involving the ability of individuals to make healthcare and end-of-life decisions for themselves and their family members. One is a bill to allow doctors to prescribe lethal doses of medicine to terminally ill patients. The other seeks to prevent parents from objecting to child vaccinations on religious grounds.

Support the show.

Connecticut's unemployment rate is at a 17-year low. The state has stockpiled $1.2 billion in its budget reserve fund. But it's still not in a position to go on anything resembling a spending spree.

Not with state Comptroller Kevin Lembo warning lawmakers against counting on a repeat of last year's spike in tax collections. Job gains in 2018 also were not nearly as robust as initially reported. And no one can rule out the possibility of an economic downturn lurking around the corner.

This week, we take stock of the positive, and less than positive, indicators of the state's fiscal health, and what they could mean for forthcoming state budget negotiations.

Also factoring into the equation is federal funding. President Donald Trump issued his budget proposal this week. While it may be good news for Connecticut's defense industry, it's distressing to those relying on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. We look at who stands to gain and lose the most.

And we discuss renewed calls for a public option health plan, bills to ban plastic bags, and the unfolding college admissions scandal that includes Yale University.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Connecticut's unemployment rate is at a 17-year low. The state has stockpiled $1.2 billion in its budget reserve fund. But it's still not in a position to go on anything resembling a spending spree.Not with state Comptroller Kevin Lembo warning lawmakers against counting on a repeat of last year's spike in tax collections. Job gains in 2018 also were not nearly as robust as initially reported. And no one can rule out the possibility of an economic downturn lurking around the corner.

This week, we take stock of the positive, and less than positive, indicators of the state's fiscal health, and what they could mean for forthcoming state budget negotiations.

Also factoring into the equation is federal funding. President Donald Trump issued his budget proposal this week. While it may be good news for Connecticut's defense industry, it's distressing to those relying on Medicare, Medicaid, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. We look at who stands to gain and lose the most.

And we discuss renewed calls for a public option health plan, bills to ban plastic bags, and the unfolding college admissions scandal that includes Yale University.

Support the show.

Hundreds are expected to turn out to the state Capitol Wednesday for a public hearing on Gov. Ned Lamont's bill to install electronic tolls on Connecticut highways.

But even those who favor tolls may not support another bill to create a transportation authority. Some think it would make state legislators less accountable when it comes to setting toll rates and deciding where toll gantries will be located.

Today, we examine what that proposal could mean for the state, and consider suggestions to securitize future toll revenues for upfront payments to address current budget concerns.

We also jump into the fray over legislation to allow bear hunting and encourage small towns to consider ways to move toward regional schools.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hundreds are expected to turn out to the state Capitol Wednesday for a public hearing on Gov. Ned Lamont's bill to install electronic tolls on Connecticut highways.But even those who favor tolls may not support another bill to create a transportation authority. Some think it would make state legislators less accountable when it comes to setting toll rates and deciding where toll gantries will be located.

Today, we examine what that proposal could mean for the state, and consider suggestions to securitize future toll revenues for upfront payments to address current budget concerns.

We also jump into the fray over legislation to allow bear hunting and encourage small towns to consider ways to move toward regional schools.

Support the show.