Y CT Matters

Sabin Howard, a classical artist, has his showroom in Kent, Conn. This past September, he unveiled his latest project "A Soldier’s Journey" — a nearly 60-foot long, 38-figure massive bronze sculpture depicting an American soldier’s call to duty, from home to the Western Front, during the First World War. The sculpture has become the centerpiece of the National World War I Memorial in Pershing Square Park, Washington, D.C.

Howard discusses with Carol Platt Liebau how he received the commission and his process in creating, what several outlets have dubbed, a masterpiece.

Learn more about his work here: https://sabinhoward.com/

Election Day 2024 is now in the rearview mirror — but what happened? Who won, who lost? How will the election impact the 2025 General Assembly's legislative session? Andy Markowski, principal of Statehouse Associates, joins the conversation to share his insights.

With the 2024 Presidential Election in its final stretch, the candidates and country are dissecting polls to glean how the race will unfold. But how do polls work? What do pollsters ask? How do pollsters ask questions? How can we trust a poll's findings? Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau is joined by Gary Rose, a Professor and Scholar in Residence at Sacred Heart University, who has been a political science professor for 40 years, specializing in the field of American politics.

What is Ranked Choice Voting? Jason Snead, executive director of the Honest Elections Project, explains the voting process' shortcomings and how it sows more confusion in elections. 

Learn more about the Honest Elections Project here: https://honestelections.org/

A new study by Yankee Institute and Reason Foundation, a national public policy research organization, confirms that the 2017 bipartisan financial reforms known as the “fiscal guardrails” have saved Connecticut more than $170 million since enacted and, if kept intact, can save the state $7 billion over the next 25 years. 

The report, titled The Case for CT’s Fiscal Guardrails: How to Protect Public Pensions and Taxpayers, examines how the guardrails have improved Connecticut’s creditworthiness, making it less expensive for the state to borrow money to finance necessary projects. 

YI President is joined by the study's authors --- Len Gilroy and Mariana Trujillo -- for a discussion on the guardrails' importance. 

Find the full study here: https://yankeeinstitute.org/2024/09/23/the-case-for-cts-fiscal-guardrails/

Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, born in Ridgefield, Conn., became the first female pilot for a major airline when she was hired by American Airlines in 1973. She shares how she fell in love with flying and the challenges of breaking the sex barrier in a male-dominated field.  

8-30g is failing our residents. In Yankee Institute's latest study, "Getting a Handle on Affordable Housing," authors Francis Pickering and David Flemming explain how municipalities and developers across Connecticut have had to grapple with the state statute, and how it can be reformed to reduce housing costs.

Read the full study here.

Dan Hurley, the two-time NCAA champion coach, is staying with the UConn Huskies; Geno Auriemma signed a contract extension; the UConn baseball team made it to the Super Regional of the College World Series; and the WNBA Connecticut Sun is off to a great start. 

A lot is happening in Connecticut sports. Joe D’Ambrosio — a sportscaster known as the “Voice of the Huskies” — joins Y CT Matters to discuss all of it. D’Ambrosio is currently the broadcaster for UConn Hockey and UConn baseball, filling in on WJMJ-FM. Follow him here.

“Defending the pillars of our democracy such as free speech and capitalism.” That is part of mission statement of Narya Capital, a venture capital firm founded by U.S. Senator J.D. Vance and Colin Greenspon. Greenspon joins Y CT Matters to discuss the organization’s philosophy and the importance of protecting democratic ideals. Learn more about Narya here.

The Washington Free Beacon reported that up to half of UCLA’s medical students are failing basic tests of medical competence — and outlawed affirmative action practices are to blame. Andrew Quinio, an Equality & Opportunity Attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, provides insights into the legality of affirmative action in California, and how using race instead of merit negatively impacts everyone, including those who need the most help. Read the full report here.