Connecticut's unemployment rate has hovered above 8 percent, more than double the rate pre- pandemic. But now that the job market is picking up, why are business owners having such a hard time hiring? 

This hour, we talk about what employers are doing to get people back to work. We hear from a local landscaper who is navigating hiring during the pandemic. 

What will the job market look like after the pandemic? We want to hear from you.

GUESTS:

Eric Nelson - Owner of Garden Paths, Inc. 

Patrick Flaherty - Director of Research, Connecticut Department of Labor

Gary Burtless - Senior Fellow, Economic Studies at The Brookings Institution 

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Women, on average, make 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. And women of color make even less than that.

This hour, we take a look at the role greater pay transparency can play to address the wage gap in our country. Advocates in Connecticut say that listing starting salaries publicly for open positions is a step towards evening the playing field.

We want to hear from you, too. Do you have salary transparency at your workplace?

GUESTS:

• Maya Raghu - Director of Workplace Equality and Senior Counsel at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC)
• Madeline Granato - Policy Director at the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF)
• Tyler Falk - Reporter covering public radio for Current, an independent trade publication that covers public media

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Women, on average, make 82 cents for every dollar earned by men. And women of color make even less than that.

This hour, we take a look at the role greater pay transparency can play to address the wage gap in our country. Advocates in Connecticut say that listing starting salaries publicly for open positions is a step towards evening the playing field.

We want to hear from you, too. Do you have salary transparency at your workplace?

GUESTS:

Maya Raghu - Director of Workplace Equality and Senior Counsel at the National Women’s Law Center (NWLC)

Madeline Granato - Policy Director at the Connecticut Women’s Education and Legal Fund (CWEALF)

Tyler Falk - Reporter covering public radio for Current, an independent trade publication that covers public media

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, we speak with Connecticut Comptroller Kevin Lembo on his public option proposal to give more people the chance to join a health insurance program overseen by the state.

The Connecticut Partnership Plan is already offered to municipal workers and school employees. 

But how would he pay for it?

And how would he avoid frightening away insurance companies that are big employers in the state?

Guests:

• Connecticut Comptroller Kevin Lembo
• Kaiser Health News Senior Correspondent Mary Agnes Carey

We want to hear from you.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This hour, we speak with Connecticut Comptroller Kevin Lembo on his public option proposal to give more people the chance to join a health insurance program overseen by the state.

The Connecticut Partnership Plan is already offered to municipal workers and school employees. 

But how would he pay for it?

And how would he avoid frightening away insurance companies that are big employers in the state?

Guests:

Connecticut Comptroller Kevin Lembo

Kaiser Health News Senior Correspondent Mary Agnes Carey

We want to hear from you.

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder why you were required to learn algebra, but not how to balance a checkbook and file your taxes? Although personal finance and accounting are offered as an elective in many high schools, they're not often required for graduation.

This hour, we talk to Nan Morrison - President and CEO, Council for Economic Education about teaching our children to be more financially literate. The secret is starting them young! 

Do you wish you had the chance to learn subjects like investing, credit, and even just basic budgeting? We want to hear from you. 

GUESTS:

• Nan Morrison - President and CEO, Council for Economic Education
• Lew DeLuca - Coordinator, Student Financial Literacy & Advising at Southern Connecticut State University

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ever wonder why you were required to learn algebra, but not how to balance a checkbook and file your taxes? Although personal finance and accounting are offered as an elective in many high schools, they're not often required for graduation.

This hour, we talk to Nan Morrison - President and CEO, Council for Economic Education about teaching our children to be more financially literate. The secret is starting them young! 

Do you wish you had the chance to learn subjects like investing, credit, and even just basic budgeting? We want to hear from you. 

GUESTS:

Nan Morrison - President and CEO, Council for Economic Education

Lew DeLuca - Coordinator, Student Financial Literacy & Advising at Southern Connecticut State University

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another school year in a pandemic is winding down. That means parents have been thinking about summer plans like summer camps.

The Lamont administration has said it will invest COVID-19 relief money to make summer camp experiences accessible to all Connecticut students.

This hour, we talk with a camp director and hear from state agencies that serve kids.

What’s in store for summer 2021?

GUESTS:

• Kath Davies - Director of Camp Hazen YMCA, a summer camp in Chester, Connecticut
• Beth Bye - Commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood
• Chris Soto - Director of Innovation and Partnerships at the Connecticut State Department of Education

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another school year in a pandemic is winding down. That means parents have been thinking about summer plans like summer camps.

The Lamont administration has said it will invest COVID-19 relief money to make summer camp experiences accessible to all Connecticut students.

This hour, we talk with a camp director and hear from state agencies that serve kids.

What’s in store for summer 2021?

GUESTS:

Kath Davies - Director of Camp Hazen YMCA, a summer camp in Chester, Connecticut

Beth Bye - Commissioner of the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood

Chris Soto - Director of Innovation and Partnerships at the Connecticut State Department of Education

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

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With no commute to work and no gathering with friends, how have you been spending time during this pandemic?

This hour, we talk about pandemic hobbies and the lifelong benefits of having a hobby. 

Whether you are baking sourdough bread, or learning a new language - we want to hear from you! What’s your pandemic hobby? 

Don’t feel like you have time to pick up a new hobby? It takes less effort than you think.

GUESTS:

• Tara Parker-Pope - Founding Editor for “Well”, The New York Times Consumer Health Section
• Brigid Schulte - author of Overwhelmed: Work, Love and Play When No One Has the Time and director of the Better Life Lab at New America. She is also a long time journalist and former Washington Post staff writer 

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See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.