Washington -- In the political money chase in the race to fill retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman's seat, deep-pocketed Linda McMahon began the year with the least amount of money.
But given that she spent $50 million of her own money on her failed 2008 Senate bid, McMahon should be able to manage a slight cash infusion if she runs a little low as the campaign progresses.
Sen. Joe Lieberman may be retiring from Congress, but he hasn't stopped raising campaign donations for his leadership PAC.
Lieberman, a Connecticut independent, raised more than $50,000 for his Reuniting Our Country political action committee after he announced his retirement in January of last year.
Read moreThe STOCK Act was introduced in 2007 and languished for years, finally getting a boost from a Nov. 13 "60 Minutes" show.
The segment said members of Congress often invest in businesses about to be affected by pending legislation.
"The segment was much criticized as too harsh and inaccurate by some legislators, but...the public was alarmed and unhappy," said Larry Sabato, a University of Virginia professor.
"This is a Congress with an 11 percent job approval rating, so it can hardly afford to ignore signs of public unhappiness," he said.
Read moreIf President Obama has his way, the money that colleges receive from Washington will soon go to schools that can lower their tuition or at least hold it steady.
That may be a problem for Connecticut's 17 public colleges, which have almost doubled tuition and fees over the last decade and have already approved tuition increases for the next school year that exceed the rate of inflation.
Connecticut ranks 16th among the states in the percentage of the work force involved in advanced manufacturing -- the use of cutting-edge technology in the manufacturing process. That's the kind of industry Obama wants to promote in his 'blueprint for an economy that's built to last.'
Read moreWashington -- Defense Secretary Leon Panetta's vision for a "smaller, leaner" military could put the Naval Submarine Base New London on the chopping block and trim billions of dollars from Connecticut's defense industry.
In his address to the nation Tuesday night, President Obama called for a rebirth of manufacturing, a fairer tax system and a stronger community college system. Most Connecticut lawmakers agreed with the president's priorities, especially his emphasis on manufacturing and education.
Read morePresident Obama's State of the Union address tonight will focus on jobs, education, renewable energy and values. It will also outline the the reasons he deserves a second term.
Read moreWashington -- A deal between five major banks and a group of attorneys general -- including George Jepsen of Connecticut -- could bring $150 million or more to state homeowners who have been victims of foreclosures or the burst of the housing bubble.
The Connecticut State University system hired the Washington lobbying firm McAllister & Quinn, paying it more than $100,000 last year to seek, among other things, federal funding for a robotics project at Central Connecticut State University. But CSU's relationship with its hired gun in Washington may soon end. "If there are no earmarks and less grant money in Washington, does it make sense to have a lobbyist?" said Colleen Flanagan, spokeswoman for the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
Read moreThe online piracy bills, known by their acronyms -- SOPA in the House and PIPA in the Senate -- aim to protect U.S. companies against foreign websites that illegally post copyrighted material. Opponents argue the legislation would harm innovation and give Washington too much power to shut down websites.
Read moreThe Occupy protesters huddled in McPherson Square in the nation's capitol and the 250 U.S. mayors meeting a block away this week have at least one thing in common: They are both reacting to the economy. Like the protesters, the nation's mayors are seeking action from Washington. But that may be hard to find.
Read morePartisanship and gridlock may have largely defined the 112th Congress, but Connecticut lawmakers still have extensive wish lists for the new session. Goals range from turning the Coltsville site in Hartford into a national park to guarding against Pentagon cuts that would hurt the state's defense industry.
Read morePresident Obama and the Pentagon have rolled out a plan for a leaner military. Their strategy is meant to accommodate about $489 billion in defense cuts over the next 10 years, an overhaul that could shake up the state’s large military contractors like United Technologies and Electric Boat and the hundreds of subcontractors in the state that depend on these defense giants.
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"The very thing that was buying me time was taken away," said Susan Block, 72, of West Hartford, a healthy, avid cyclist, gardener and yoga instructor before her diagnosis. "The very thing that was giving me hope was withdrawn."
Read moreTwo key pieces of federal legislation that would pay for dozens of programs aimed at cleaning Long Island Sound are caught in the uncertainties of Washington's political battles over the environment and money. As Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman warned environmentalists in a recent conference call: "We're fighting for appropriations in a very tough climate."
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Increasingly, John Foley, a Norwich cardiologist, has found himself questioning the future of the field. Despite working longer days, his income is down 45 percent from 4½ years ago, and he's seen fellow doctors give up independent practice to work for hospitals. "It's heartbreaking," he said. "I never envisioned, never dreamed in my life I'd be at 49 years of age sitting here talking to a reporter about whether medicine could be sustained."
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With more than a year to go before reductions go into effect because of the panel's failure to act, some in Congress are seeking alternatives to the deep cuts that could profoundly affect Connecticut's health care providers, defense industry, environmental protection and programs that fund heating aid.
Read moreThink the farm bill has nothing to do with us? Think again. Many people here are worried as they await news on the farm bill, which faces an uncertain future in Washington with the so-called Supercommittee. The state could face some serious cuts in popular programs, and some pleasant surprises.
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Saying "we're in an arms race with pathogens," Sen. Richard Blumenthal Monday traveled to Hartford Hospital to tout his support for legislation aimed at encouraging drug makers to develop new antibiotics that can combat drug-resistant bacteria.
Read moreStephen F. Cashman, chairman of the elections enforcement commission
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THE MINIMUM WAGE
Connecticut's hourly minimum wage of $8.25 is one of the highest in the nation, trailing Washington at $9.04, Oregon at $8.80 and Vermont at $8.46.
Five of the six New England states exceed the federal minimum of $7.25. The exception is New Hampshire, whose minimum is the same as the feds.
Connecticut is one of 18 states with a minimum higher than the federal standard. Twenty-thrree are at the federal level, four are below it and five have no minimum wage.
Ten states have a minimum wage indexed to the cost of living.
Source: U.S. Department of Labor
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