Thanks for visiting our archive of investigative reporting. Please visit, YankeeInstitute.org for the latest stories.
State ethics chief got a friend transferred to her agency
The top ethics official in Connecticut state government got a friend transferred to her agency last year amid agency consolidation, a move she defends as “a business decision.” Carol Carson, executive director of the Office of State Ethics, said she consulted her...
It could happen here: Deficit gimmicks
Perhaps it would be more accurate to say, “It could happen here AGAIN.” Connecticut, of course, has a long history of budget shenanigans. The gimmickry in Hartford, ironically enough, was partially inspired by the constraints of the 28th Amendment – passed in the wake...
Rep. Murphy says state DOT doesn’t have enough projects ready
U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy criticized state officials Friday for not having enough projects ready for construction, a characterization the Connecticut Department of Transportation contests saying there are numerous projects underway. Murphy, a Cheshire Democrat who is...
Bloated primary budget would employ more than 10 percent of Hartford Republicans
After accusing the Hartford City Council of failing to fund a Republican Presidential primary, evidence is growing that the city’s registrar of voters significantly over-budgeted for the vote. Republican Registrar of Voters Salvatore Bramante began agitating against...
Murphy: Voters right now care more about process than issues
Rep. Chris Murphy said a surprising thing is on the mind of Connecticut voters: process. Murphy, a Democrat who represents the 5th District, said the public is thinking more about process than any particular issue because of the gridlock in Washington. The...
It could happen here: Not-so-universal healthcare
Wouldn’t it be great for everyone, especially the poor, if Connecticut had universal healthcare? Probably not, as shown by a Montreal Gazette article on doctors abusing their private clinics. Canada, of course, has a universal healthcare system, but the Gazette found...
Auto glass legislation pits two former House Speakers against each other
Two former House Speakers turned lobbyists are facing off over a bill regulating auto glass, legislation that has escaped extensive attention amid controversial debates on the death penalty, liquor regulations and teacher tenure. The bill creating the Speaker vs....
It could happen here: Stolen retirement
Imagine if the federal government took your 401(k) in an attempt to save Social Security. In Hungary this nightmare is a reality, as reported by the Wall Street Journal when the country’s economy minister first announced the plan in 2010. Hungary has a complicated set...
Former Gov. Rell and legislative leaders spent $26 million from slush fund
Money wasn’t always so tight in Connecticut. Before the 2008 financial crisis, former Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell and Democratic leaders in the legislature set up a slush fund that allowed them to spend $26 million on grants to any recipient they chose. The grants...
It could happen here: Forever bonds
It’s a politician’s dream: debt you never have to pay off. Britain is looking at the possibility of perpetual bonds, according to Reuters. Instead of lasting a set term and then having to be repaid, the government will simply pay interest on these bonds – forever. The...