Face the Facts

Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich), Ranking Member on the Energy & Technology Committee joins Mike Hydeck to discuss whether the offshore wind project in New London is in danger, and if there is a backup plan. Mike Hydeck: Well, half a billion dollar investment could be coming to a grinding halt off the coast of Connecticut. Orsted, one of the major…

Commissioner Michelle Gilman of the Department of Administrative Services gives us an update on efforts to upgrade HVAC systems in our schools as sweltering heat forced many early dismissals this week. Mike Hydeck: Windham, West Hartford, Portland, Bethel, Stamford, all school systems struggling with hot classrooms during the September heatwave. We’ve sent many kids home early in their first...

Mitchell Pearlman, former Executive Director of the Freedom of Information Commission, gives insight into how the FOI process works in our state.

Mitchell Pearlman, former executive director of the Freedom of Information Commission, gives insight into how the FOI process works in our state.

Ken Barone with UConn’s Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy breaks down the findings of the Connecticut State Police ticket audit, and what he thinks federal investigators might look for in their examination.

Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas joins Mike Hydeck to discuss early voting and the plans to upgrade our voting systems. Mike Hydeck: Connecticut is one of the last states in the country to adopt some form of early voting. And now that it’s on the horizon, is Connecticut ready? And what about getting those new voting machines now...

Ken Barone with UConn’s Institute for Municipal and Regional Policy breaks down the findings of the Connecticut State Police ticket audit, and what he thinks federal investigators might look for in their examination. Mike Hydeck: Well, joining us now is Ken Barone. He’s the co-author of the audit that found those discrepancies. He’s from the Connecticut, want to get...

Attorney General William Tong weighs in on a federal judge’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the ban on firearms in state parks and has a warning about student loan scams.

Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves joins NBC Connecticut’s Mike Hydeck to talk about how two new laws will help our aging population.

Attorney General William Tong weighs in on a federal judge’s decision to dismiss a lawsuit challenging the ban on firearms in state parks and has a warning about student loan scams. Mike Hydeck: Connecticut has among the strictest gun laws in the nation and recently a ban on carrying a gun in a state park was challenged in federal...

Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves joins NBC Connecticut’s Mike Hydeck to talk about how two new laws will help our aging population. They include expanding eligibility for adult day care services and making it easier for families to understand what’s happening with their loved ones’ care. Mike Hydeck: Did you know 73% of adults over 75 are…

Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell (D) walks us through the Baby Bonds program. Who is eligible, when can they access that money and how will it be used?

Connecticut State Treasurer Erick Russell (D) walks us through the Baby Bonds program. Who is eligible, when can they access that money and how will it be used? Mike Hydeck: After months in political limbo, the Baby Bonds program in Connecticut will finally get off the ground. If you don’t know what it is, it’s an annuity program funded...

Hartford Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Leslie Torres-Rodriguez joins Mike Hydeck to discuss the state’s new recruitment initiative for educators, and gives us an update on the upcoming expansion of the district’s Paso a Paso program. Mike Hydeck: Filling the hundreds of positions in schools across our state is a complex problem. The dire need for teachers, special education professionals,...

Executive Director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Joe DeLong explains why municipalities are concerned that changes to the Education Cost Sharing formula are not happening quickly enough. Mike Hydeck: It has been underfunded for years. Now the state is making changes to the way we fund our schools by amending the Education Cost Sharing formula, but many mayors and…

Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) discusses the Republican budget plan and where both parties are in agreement. Mike Hydeck: Well, the governor and the finance and appropriations committees have all weighed in how they think Connecticut’s budget should be written for the next two years. Now, House Republicans have released their plan on taxes and spending, keeping in mind...

Executive Director of the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities Joe DeLong explains why municipalities are concerned that changes to the Education Cost Sharing formula are not happening quickly enough.

Rep. Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) discusses the Republican budget plan and where both parties are in agreement.

Office of Early Childhood Commissioner Beth Bye is leading a Blue Ribbon Panel to create a strategic plan for making childcare more affordable. Mike Hydeck: Ask any parent who is paying for full time childcare in Connecticut and chances are you will hear it can consume a huge chunk of their budget. As for what the caregivers get paid for…