An update on wednesdays death penatly vote by the state house.

The Connecticut Center for Economic Analysis (CCEA)  released a new economic forecast entitled, the CCEA Connecticut Economic Outlook which is released every three months by the CCEA’s Forecasting and Analysis Group, and includes an array of critical economic indicators that track the state’s economic performance. Fred reports on the latest outlook with Dan Lovallo.

Dan and Representative Labriola talk about the judiciary committee hearing to abolish Connecticut's death penalty

Representative Hamzy and Dan talk about this mornings hearing on eliminating the death penalty in Connecticut

Dan and Vin discuss yesterday's committee hearing and the possibility of repealing numerous tax exemptions for businesses

Dan nd John talk about the proposed legislation that would require business to give employees six paid sick-leave days per year.

State Rep D"Amelio shares his thoughts on Governor M.Jodi Rell's 'No Tax Increase' Budget

Governor Rell will give her budget address on Wednesday, February 4, 2009.  Dan speaks to Democratic State Rep. Demetrios Giannarios and Republican State Rep. John Piscopo to see what they think of Rell's plan.

Is there a tax hike in Connecticut's future?

Dan talks to State Rep. Guerrera, House Chair of the Transportation Committee, about his proposed tolls on I-95, I-91 and I-84 as part of the state's economic stimulus package.

Mike McGary had served on Hartford's City Council for three terms, ran for Mayor several times and continues to be active in local and state politics. Now, he speaks out on current Mayor Eddie Perez's arrest and the options open to Hartford moving forward.

Sam served as interum Mayor of Waterbury when their Mayor stepped down due to legal issues. Though the crimes were nothing alike, the end result has similarities which bear examination as the city searches for the next step to take.

Chris Ryan talks to Sam Rogers, Research Analyst at Zogby International, about a survey commissioned by the Connecticut Business and Industry Association.

Mike Huckabee talks about his new book "Do The Right Thing" - which he bills as more than just a campaign memoir. He talks about a vision for a smarter, fairer type of politics that focuses on common sense solutions for education, health care, the economy and other issues. He also talks about what needs to happen for the Republican party to become the majority party again.

The Reverend Cornell Lewis speaks out against the violence in Hartford, comments on the proposed enforcement of the curfew beginning Thursday. The Reverend has offered to help law enforcement and maintains that he and members of The True Vanguard are volunteering to point out the top violent offenders in Hartford to the authorities if they're having trouble identifying those that need to be taken off the streets.

Larry Charles speaks out on crime and violence in Hartford. He's calling for enforcement and community involvement, while reducing the cost of government.

The latest news tells us Hartford may be the next sactuary city, ala New Haven style. Dustin Gold tells us New Haven has already spent over $71 million on the illegals since becoming a sanctuary city.

If you're not in favor of having your tax dollars applied toward aiding and comforting those who have entered our country illegally, call Dustin Gold and the Community Watchdog Project at 888-9CWDOGS to find out how you can prevent Hartford from "going sanctuary."

Visit The Community Watchdog Project online at http://www.watchdogproject.us/ to learn more about their organization and sign up for their newsletter.

Arpaio has been called "America's Toughest Sheriff" for his controversial approach to operating the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office, mainly in regard to his treatment of inmates. Although he has a large number of vocal supporters for his toughness on crime and criminals, his practices have been harshly criticized by organizations such as Amnesty International. Born in Springfield, Massachusetts, Sheriff Joe spent time with Dan Lovallo and discussed Hartford in detail as compared the the issues Sheriff Joe has overcome in Maricopa County.

http://www.sheriffjoe.org/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Arpaio

Marilyn explains where "Three Strikes" stands now, in the wake of Tuesday's election.

on his possible gubernatorial run

Dan talks with Brigitte Ruthman of the Republican American about the disappearance of a western Connecticut woman 24 years ago

The elections division of the Secretary of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts certified the"End of the Income Tax" ballot initiative for the November 2008 election. On November 4th, Massachusetts voters will decide whether to keep the state income tax, or repeal it.

May: Kevin Brace and Todd Sokolowski, Correctional Officers at Northern Correctional Institution in Somers, in studio for a full hour, taking calls and answering questions about the CT Correctional system. A lot has happened to place our state's Correctional System in the news since Kevin and Todd last visited. If you missed the show, check it out now for a first-hand look at what goes on inside these fortified bastions, from those who live the experience day-in and day-out.

Update: Officers Brace and Sokolowski continued to plead with legislators for basic safety equipment, with no results. Still, nothing has been achieved in the way of increasing the safety of our men and women who put themselves on the line every day to secure our state prisons, or to address overcrowding.
 

Barbara Carpenter, who was one of our panelists at "Debate 2008, Balancing the Cost of Education With Property Taxes" is in studio with Dan, taking calls from listeners. She answers direct and probing questions about the education system as a whole, the role of the teacher, fiscal concerns and challenges, and much more.

The Reverend speaks with Dan about  "Mothers United Against Violence" and what they stand for, and what challenges they face, as well as an upcoming march and a call for all to participate. Further, they discuss the prevalence of gun possession and use in Hartford. 

The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee discussed a proposed new delivery tax last week and surprisingly, the democrats pushed the tax through the finance comittee on a party-line vote, even though little is known about the tax and many questions remained unanswered.

The heated debate over whether to allow undocumented immigrants to attend public colleges and universities at the same tuition rate other Connecticut residents pay could soon reignite at the state legislature.  Under a bill introduced by state Rep. Felipe Reinoso, D- Bridgeport, Connecticut students living in the country illegally would pay in-state tuition rates at all state public colleges and universities, rather than the pricier out-of-state rates they must pay now.  A similar bill was passed by the state legislature along partisan lines last year after a hard-fought debate, but Gov M. Jodi Rell vetoed the measure. Another bill, introduced by Senate Majority Leader Martin M. Looney, D- New Haven, takes a more limited approach, offering in-state tuition rates to undocumented immigrants at only the state's community colleges. Looney, who supported the more expansive bill last year, said the pared down measure would cost less but still help many low-income families and establish a foothold on the issue.

The CT Democratic Party seems bent on committing hari-kari over immigration. Despite overwhelming public rejection of illegal immigration, a Democratic legislator wants to fly in the face of public opinion. What is apparent is the CT Democratic Party has become a party that is totally controlled by the Latinos and will ignore completely White and African-American workers, and legal Hispanic voters for that matter.

Speaker of the House, Jim Amann

Facing a rising tide of complaints, leading state lawmakers have agreed to take a look at the controversial law that would largely prohibit out-of-school suspensions beginning in the fall. Senator Caligiuri has voted against the bill in the past and he continues to state that the law is flawed and at the very least needs to be modified.

Parents 4 a Change is a group working to stem the rising tide of drug use in Southington and other towns throughout Connecticut.

The group is made up of regular parents and citizens who have decided to speak up and try to make a difference in our community. Their goals are to raise awareness about the serious, life threatening drug problem that exists in Southington.

Did you know that heroin has become the drug of choice for many Southington teens? They also provide a network of communication for parents and families who are going through the nightmare of drug use. For more information e-mail: parents4achange@yahoo.com or visit them online at http://www.parents4achange.com/.

Download this PDF file for information and details on Parents 4 A Change, who they are, what their goals are and signs to look for.

View (and take)  the Parents 4 A Change Anonymous Teen Survey: http://www.freewebs.com/parents4achange/pollquestionsteens.htm