Voice of CT

CT Today With Paul Pacelli – The Fairfield County ATM … Again?

Host Paul Pacelli opened Wednesday’s “Connecticut Today” commenting on a Tax Day proposal from General Assembly Democrats to hike taxes on many upper-income earners (00:45). Hearst Connecticut Media Senior Editor and Columnist Dan Haar chatted with us about energy policy and a controversy surrounding Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas (13:51). CBS News correspondent Olivia Rinaldi joined us from Washington, D.C. with the latest legal news surrounding the Trump White House (23:53), while Landmark Legal Foundation attorney Mike O’Neill analyzed today’s declaration from a federal judge to possibly hold the Trump White House in contempt in a controversial immigration case (26:55)

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The Lisa Wexler Show – Fairfield’s 40th Annual Holocaust Commemoration

First Church of Fairfield Senior Pastor, Vanessa Rose, and Holocaust Survivor, Eugene Ginter, join Lisa Wexler to talk about Fairfield’s commitment to interfaith unity, and how Eugene survived the concentration camps, ahead of Fairfield’s 4/23 at 7:30p.

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Melissa in the Morning: Proposed Sweetened Beverage Tax

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would add a new tax on sweetened beverages to raise enough money to cover the 110-million-dollars a year needed to provide free breakfast and lunch to all students. State Representative Moira Rader explained the proposal and addressed concerns people have surrounding the need for consistent revenue. Rep. Rader is the Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee and Assistant Majority Leader.

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Melissa in the Morning: Premiums going up?

Access Health is sounding the alarm about federal subsidies set to expire at the end of the year. It could mean Connecticut residents on exchange plans see their premiums skyrocket more than a thousand dollars than their prices now! We talked to Congressman Himes about the likelihood of extending the subsidies.

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Melissa in the Morning: Walk Out

Marissa Gillett has been confirmed by the state Senate to continue as chair of the Public Utility Regulatory Authority. All eleven Republican state senators walked out of the chamber before yesterday’s vote, claiming the process is corrupt. We got the scoop from Senator Steve Harding about what happened and why.

Image Courtesy of Senator Steve Harding and the Senate Republicans

Melissa in the Morning: Drug Take Back Day

Prescription Take Back Day is coming up on Saturday April 26th. What is “Drug Take Back Day” and how can people participate? We asked Commissioner Bryan Cafferelli of the CT Department of Consumer Protection about the upcoming event. We also talked about a recent jury duty scam detected last month.

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CT Today With Paul Pacelli – Do Connecticut Prison Text Messages Cost Too Much?

Host Paul Pacelli kicked off “Connecticut Today” with his view that the $3.5 million spent yearly on text messaging for prison inmates is well worth it and should be maintained and not eliminated (00:43). Connecticut Inside Investigator reporter Marc Fitch dropped by to chat about a proposed “soda and sweetened beverage tax” being considered at the State Capitol (15:57). Yankee Institute blogger Meghan Portfolio talked about “Tax Day 2025” in Connecticut (24:28). We also heard from CBS News legal analyst Thane Rosenbaum on two key legal actions facing the Trump White House (34:16)

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The Lisa Wexler Show – 2025 Liberty Bell Award Recipient Colleen Sousa!

Fairfield teacher, Colleen Sousa, & Attorney Etan Hirsch join Lisa Wexler to talk about the Law Day theme for 2025 and why Colleen Sousa is this year’s Liberty Bell award winner.

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Melissa In The Morning: Soda Tax

State lawmakers are considering a bill that would add a new tax on soda and juice to pay for free meals in schools. The proposal would add the tax on sweetened beverages, syrups and powders to fund free breakfasts and lunches for all public school students in Connecticut. What is the likelihood of this bill moving forward this session? We asked News 8 political reporter, Mike Cerulli.

IMAGE CREDIT: Eric Urbanowicz

Melissa in the Morning: Proactive about Cancer

There’s a new cancer prevention program for hundreds of firefighters across Connecticut. Starting May 1, career firefighters who are enrolled on the state employee health plan or Partnership Plan will be eligible for a free preventative scan every two years. We got more details on this new program and its purpose from Comptroller Sean Scanlon. We also asked about firefighters not covered by these insurance plans, including volunteer firefighters, who need this service too.

IMAGE CREDIT: Melissa Sheketoff