President Barack Obama is coming to Connecticut on March 5 as part of his campaign to raise the federal minimum wage to $10.10 an hour. The visit follows Governor Dannel Malloy’s heated defense of the proposal at a news conference this week in Washington. Governor Malloy urged the General Assembly to pass a bill this year that would raise the state's minimum wage after the president—in his State of the Union address-- called on Congress to implement the policy nationwide.
Metropolitan Transportation Authority chairman and chief executive Thomas Prendergast and new Metro-North president Joseph Giulietti discussed issues related to reliability and safety at an informational forum of the Transportation Committee in Hartford. This comes following two derailments and a power outage that reduced service on the rail line.
Tax Assistance for United Technologies
Aerospace giant United Technologies is seeking state tax assistance for a $500 million dollar expansion of its research and manufacturing facilities in Connecticut. Governor Malloy and United Technologies’ CEO said on Wednesday the Hartford conglomerate will build corporate headquarters and an engineering center for jet engine maker Pratt & Whitney in East Hartford. The work will begin this year and continue through 2018. The deal still needs legislative approval.
Williams Won't Seek Re-Election
Donald Williams, the longest-serving Senate president pro tem in state history, announced this week that he would not seek re-election this fall. Williams, 56, has served in the highest-ranking position in the state Senate for 10 years – surpassing all others in a position that dates back in the legislature to 1845.
Cold Weather Protocol
Governor Malloy has enacted the state’s Severe Cold Weather Protocol, which will remain in effect through Saturday morning. Some towns could see below zero temperatures tonight, followed by another cold front tomorrow. The Governor says the state Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security has activated an internet-based communications network allowing emergency officials to share information about shelter capacity and conditions around the state.