Y CT Matters: Recent Episodes
Yankee Institute
There are personalities behind the policies. And when we disagree, the common ground is ... conversation. Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau talks with people across our state and country about the topics that are impacting YOU — and covers the human interest stories that make Connecticut unique. Join us weekly for news, policy — and a bit of fun thrown in, as well.
A new study by Yankee Institute and Reason Foundation, a national public policy research organization, confirms that the 2017 bipartisan financial reforms known as the “fiscal guardrails” have saved Connecticut more than $170 million since enacted and, if kept intact, can save the state $7 billion over the next 25 years.
The report, titled The Case for CT’s Fiscal Guardrails: How to Protect Public Pensions and Taxpayers, examines how the guardrails have improved Connecticut’s creditworthiness, making it less expensive for the state to borrow money to finance necessary projects.
YI President is joined by the study's authors --- Len Gilroy and Mariana Trujillo -- for a discussion on the guardrails' importance.
Find the full study here: https://yankeeinstitute.org/2024/09/23/the-case-for-cts-fiscal-guardrails/
Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, born in Ridgefield, Conn., became the first female pilot for a major airline when she was hired by American Airlines in 1973. She shares how she fell in love with flying and the challenges of breaking the sex barrier in a male-dominated field.
8-30g is failing our residents. In Yankee Institute's latest study, "Getting a Handle on Affordable Housing," authors Francis Pickering and David Flemming explain how municipalities and developers across Connecticut have had to grapple with the state statute, and how it can be reformed to reduce housing costs.
Read the full study here.
Dan Hurley, the two-time NCAA champion coach, is staying with the UConn Huskies; Geno Auriemma signed a contract extension; the UConn baseball team made it to the Super Regional of the College World Series; and the WNBA Connecticut Sun is off to a great start.
A lot is happening in Connecticut sports. Joe D’Ambrosio — a sportscaster known as the “Voice of the Huskies” — joins Y CT Matters to discuss all of it. D’Ambrosio is currently the broadcaster for UConn Hockey and UConn baseball, filling in on WJMJ-FM. Follow him here.
“Defending the pillars of our democracy such as free speech and capitalism.” That is part of mission statement of Narya Capital, a venture capital firm founded by U.S. Senator J.D. Vance and Colin Greenspon. Greenspon joins Y CT Matters to discuss the organization’s philosophy and the importance of protecting democratic ideals. Learn more about Narya here.
The Washington Free Beacon reported that up to half of UCLA’s medical students are failing basic tests of medical competence — and outlawed affirmative action practices are to blame. Andrew Quinio, an Equality & Opportunity Attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, provides insights into the legality of affirmative action in California, and how using race instead of merit negatively impacts everyone, including those who need the most help. Read the full report here.
So what happened in the 2024 Legislative Session? Andy Markowski — Yankee Institute’s advisor on government affairs and principal of Statehouse Partners — breaks down the good, the bad and the ugly bills that passed or failed. Learn more about his work here.
The General Assembly wants to pay workers to strike? At the end of the Legislative Session, lawmakers passed a bill doing just that; however, Gov. Ned Lamont has voiced his opposition to the concept. Yankee Institute’s Labor Fellow Frank Ricci explains why paying striking workers is the “height of absurdity,” and how it will negatively impact Connecticut’s residents and businesses.
In this special two-part interview, Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Connecticut Basement Systems, shares his philosophy of building a successful business and his backstory: from a self-employed carpenter at 17 years old to overseeing thousands of employees. He was the recipient of Yankee Institute’s “Connecticut’s Future” Award at the 2024 Champions of Freedom Gala. Learn more about his business here.
In this debut edition of Connecticut Conversations, Yankee Institute DistinguishedFellow and former Minority Leader Themis Klarides hosts a conversation with Prof. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld of Yale University on Connecticut’s public pension funds and its investment track record. The state’s underperformance has cost the state billions — so much so that simply an average performance could have reduced the state income tax in half! Read the full report here.
In this special two-part interview, Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Connecticut Basement Systems, shares his philosophy of building a successful business and his backstory: from a self-employed carpenter at 17 years old to overseeing thousands of employees. He is the recipient of Yankee Institute’s “Connecticut’s Future” Award at the 2024 Champions of Freedom Gala. Learn more about his business here.
Connecticut’s people suffer from some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. Why is that? The issue stems from the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) rules.
Passed by the legislature in 1998, the RPS severely restricts the ability of utilities to find the cleanest and most efficient means of providing electricity to Connecticut’s residents and businesses, creating higher electric bills as a consequence. Paul Bachman, Adjunct Scholar at the Beacon Hill Institute (BHI) and co-author of Yankee Institute’s latest study, Re-Energize Connecticut: Toward Affordable Electricity for All, explains how to make energy more affordable. Read the full study here.
It’s our 100th episode! To mark the significant milestone, Carol talked with Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, a satirical news site. Known for their conservative wit and “prophecies” (when jokes become reality), the Bee was famously locked out of its Twitter account over a joke. This action prompted Elon Musk to buy the social media giant. Dillon discusses why the Bee was founded, comedy in today’s climate, censorship and free speech, and interactions with Musk. Find the Babylon Bee’s work here.
Also, hear more from Dillon at YI’s “Champions of Freedom Gala” on April 27 at the Woodway Country Club in Darien. Purchase your tickets before April 17 while there are still seats! Buy them here: https://yankeeinstitutegala2024.splashthat.com/
For 98 episodes, YI President Carol Platt Liebau has discussed Connecticut policy, politics and human-interest stories as part of the organization’s efforts to be your eyes, ears and voice. But now the interviewer becomes the interviewee. Andy Fowler, director of internal affairs, guest hosts, asking Carol about her background, her love for Ronald Reagan, her time at Ivy League Schools, the evolution of Yankee Institute during her tenure, her hope for Connecticut and even her favorite musicals. Carol’s full bio can be found here.
How do scholarships benefit students? And how would a tax credit, if passed by the General Assembly, boost providing more educational access to low-income children? Tricia Tucker, head teacher/principal at Fairfield County SDA School, shares students’ journeys from public to private schools and the impact scholarships have had on her school. Learn more about the school here.
The Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-NE) is warning that the batteries pushed by blue states in the region to prepare the grid for increased solar and wind generation may have significant trouble recharging in low temperatures. Nick Pope – a Connecticut native and Daily Caller contributor – shares further insights into the report. Find his full article here.
The Connecticut Center for Educational Excellence (CTCEE), a Yankee Institute project, launched just over a year ago, providing scholarships to low-income students and families across Connecticut. Carolanne Marquis, the CEO of CTCEE, shares how 900-plus families have applied for such scholarships, and how students have already benefited emotionally and scholastically in less than a year at their new schools. She also advocates for an active bill before the Finance Committee that would create a state-level tax-credit scholarship program. This program would incentivize greater support for scholarships that help the students and families who need it most. To learn more about CTCEE and tax-credit scholarships, click here.
After his election to the 30th Senate District in 2023, Stephen Harding was named the Senate Minority Leader in February. He joins the show to share insights into key issues, such as housing, fiscal responsibility and electric vehicle mandates, as well as collaborating with different caucuses. Learn more about him here.
In a recent report by PJ Media, over 75% of red state business owners say they are happy in their current location, while only about 30% of blue state employers say the same. So what is it like doing business in Connecticut? Chris Ulbrich — CEO of Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc. — explains the positives and challenges of operating in the Constitution State. Learn more about his company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, here.
Who was George Washington? Why does he still matter in American life? Historian Kevin Gutzman, a professor and former chairman in the Department of History at Western Connecticut State University, returns to the podcast to share Washington’s monumental legacy and why he is worthy of praise today. His latest book The Jeffersoniansis available now. Learn more at kevingutzman.com.
The General Assembly’s new legislative session began on Feb. 7. So what’s happened since then? More than you’d expect. Yankee Institute’s Bryce Chinault (Director of External Affairs) and Meghan Portfolio (Manager of Research and Analysis) break down what bills are being introduced and the scuttlebutt at the Capitol. Learn more on YI’s breakdown on bills on our Take Action page, here.
What do we mean when we talk about the electrical grid? What are Independent System Operators (ISOs)? How will energy infrastructure and markets be impacted by electric vehicle mandates? Portia Conant — senior markets analyst from Yes Energy — joins the podcast to answer those questions and more. Learn more about Yes Energy here.
The CT Mirror released a three-part series examining the effectiveness and viability of the 2017 bipartisan fiscal guardrails. Some state leaders believe they’re needed, others argue for reforms, and another contingent suggests eliminating the guardrails entirely. But Suzanne Bates — a former Yankee Institute Policy Director who sat on the Spending Cap Commission that presented the guardrails — notes how quickly state lawmakers have forgotten the financial mess that befell Connecticut from the government’s loose spending. She explains why the guardrails were established, and why they still matter.
In 2004, Connecticut agreed to adopt California’s emissions standards. Fast forward 20 years, state lawmakers are now discussing how to implement electric vehicle (EV) mandates like the Golden State. But how has shifting to “green” energy impacted California? Edward Ring of the California Policy Center explains the detrimental effects, and why Connecticut should steer clear. Learn more about him here.
With Donald Trump winning the Iowa Caucuses, how will the subsequent primaries play out, including Connecticut? How will the other candidates react? Prof. Gary Rose, who teaches political science at Sacred Heart University, gives insights to the 2024 Presidential Election.
Electric vehicle (EV) mandates have not been thought through, argues Sen. Jeff Gordon (R-35th District). From building sufficient infrastructure to being unable to charge EVs during power outages, there are a host of issues with the government mandates. However, Sen. Gordon expects EV mandates to be proposed during the session, starting Feb. 7.
From electric vehicle mandates to housing, what policies will be up for debate in the upcoming legislative session, beginning Feb. 7? Eric Gjede, a chief lobbyist at Statehouse Associates, shares his insights for what’s in store in 2024.
The state’s restaurants are hurting, still recovering from the pandemic and overburdened by regulations. Meanwhile, a ‘one fair wage’ bill that’s been introduced in other states and is gaining traction here — which would mandate minimum wage for tipped workers — would make things even harder for businesses, limit workers’ income and make a night out more expensive. Scott Dolch, President and CEO of the Connecticut Restaurant Association (CRA), explains. Learn more about the CRA here.
How has the Israel-Hamas war impacted free speech at Yale University and on other college campuses? Lauren Noble, executive director and founder of the Buckley Institute at Yale, shares insights onthe impact of increased antisemitism, and discusses a new study about how more students support shout downs than oppose them. Learn more about the Buckley Institute here.
What is Hanukkah and what does it mean for the Jewish people this year, especially in light of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas? Rabbi Ari Weisenfeld, director of Agudath Israel of America office in Connecticut, explains the holiday’s history and why it has been, and remains, a source of spiritual strength for the Jewish people over thousands of years.
Video evidence of multiple people dumping votes into absentee ballot dropboxes in Bridgeport ignited controversy, a trial, and a new mayoral primary. But the perpetrators have not faced direct charges. So a group of city residents have filed a lawsuit on Nov. 21 demanding them to be arrested for ballot fraud. Cameron Atkinson, a criminal defense and civil rights attorney, is leading the suit on behalf of Fight Voter Fraud, Inc., a Connecticut-based “non-profit, non-partisan” group created to “advocate on behalf of all disenfranchised voters, regardless of party affiliation.” He provides insight into the suit and the upcoming primary, as well as protecting the voting process. Learn more in Connecticut Inside Investigator’s coverage, here.
How did Thanksgiving become a national holiday? Although President Abraham Lincoln issued a proclamation in 1863, much of the grassroots campaign is tied to the tenacity of Sarah Josepha Hale, editor of Godey’s Lady’s Book (the most widely circulated magazine at the time) and author of “Mary Had a Little Lamb.” Author Mike Allegra, who wrote Sarah Gives Thanks, joins the show to discuss Hale’s efforts to establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday, as well as her abolitionist and charitable efforts. Learn more about his book, here.
How can nonprofits and charitable organizations innovate their way toward new and exciting possibilities? Leah Kral — senior director of strategy and innovation at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University — studies just that in her latest book Innovation for Social Change: How Wildly Successful Nonprofits Inspire and Deliver Results. She explores hands-on design thinking strategies and techniques to use as a disciplined process for exploring what’s possible in your organization, as well as on ways to focus your efforts so that they can have the greatest impact. Learn more about the book here.
The Tax Foundation recently released its 2024 State Business Tax Climate Index. So where did Connecticut rank overall? How did Connecticut stack up against other states in varying subcategories? Jared Walczak, vice president of state projects for the Tax Foundation and author of the Index, explains Connecticut’s rankings and how it could improve. Read the full report here.
Are electric vehicles (EVs) less expensive than their gas-powered counterparts? Are they destined to bethe future once the government mandates kick in? The simple answer: no. According to “Overcharged Expectations: Unmasking the True Costs of Electric Vehicles,” federal and state governments are driving the auto industry “off an economic cliff.” Brent Bennett – the Life:Powered policy director at the Texas Public Policy Foundation – explains his findings on EVs and their true costs. Read the full report here.
Since its implementation, 8-30g has not solved the affordable housing issue but instead has exacerbated it, say Yankee Institute’s David Flemming and Meghan Portfolio in the latest policy paper, Failure by Mandate: Connecticut and 8-30g. They explore the history behind 8-30g, its unanticipated consequences, how it undermines localism, and offer commonsense solutions to address Connecticut’s affordable housing issues. Read their findings here.
Many Americans struggle with debt, living paycheck to paycheck. Going to a payday lender or credit card company may be a short-term solution, but a long-term issue with paying off the interest. However, earned wage access (EWA) is another solution. EWA — sometimes referred to as early pay — is the ability for employees to access a portion of their already earned wages, if needed, outside of a traditional pay cycle. Yet states like Connecticut are over-regulating the ability for people to access their own money to help them make ends meet. Justin Hosie, a partner at Hudson Cook, LLP, explains.
Harwinton has a problem. In the past two years, first responders have been called hundreds of times to the Short Term Assessment & Respite (STAR) Home, a DCF-funded shelter. There have been missing girls, stolen vehicles, burglaries, physical and sexual assaults, sex trafficking and injuries to both STAR residents and state troopers responding to melees within the home. First Selectman Michael Criss explains how the shelter is failing the young girls in STAR, and how Harwinton has been impacted. Learn more about the ongoing problem in Marc Fitch's report in Connecticut Inside Investigator, here.
John Grande, a physical education teacher in Hartford, was reprimanded for his actions during a mandatory training on “privilege.” After filing a grievance with the local board of education, Grande reached out to the Hartford Federation of Teachers Local 1018 to take the matter to arbitration — but they wouldn’t because he was not “a paying member.” Grande took legal action, as unions must represent all Connecticut government employees equally, regardless of their membership status. He fought the union on the matter. And the Connecticut State Board of Labor Relations agreed with him. Grande shares his story. Read Connecticut Inside Investigator’s report on Grande’s case here.
Aaron Vnuk is the owner of the crossfit gym in North Haven and founder of Blind River Studios, an independent production company. He is also blind — but he continues to rise above challenges and pursue his dreams. However, Connecticut’s business climate has made it difficult for him as a small business owner to thrive with its regulatory and tax policy. He explains how. Learn more about Blind River Studios here.
Connecticut’s public pension funds have one of the worst investment track records of any state in the nation with long-term, chronic investment underperformance, according to a report released by Yale Chief Executive Leadership Institute (CELI). With their research team, Prof. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld and Steven Tian investigated why Connecticut’s underperformance has cost the state billions — while offering solutions on how to reverse course. Read the full report here.
Historian Kevin Gutzman, a professor and former chairman in the Department of History at Western Connecticut State University, chronicles three titans of early American history: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison and James Monroe. These close political allies implemented the foreign policy, domestic and constitutional agenda of the opposition “Republican” Party, founded to enact what they viewed as the American Revolution’s guiding principles. His latest book The Jeffersoniansis available now. Learn more at kevingutzman.com.
Connecticut has a deep-rooted history, and YI’s Andy Fowler is exploring it in a new series called, “Hidden in the Oak.” The goal: to fill readers with a sense of pride about the state we call home and make the past relevant to today. So far, the series has explored how Nutmeggers impacted the Battle of Gettysburg; the prominent baseball leagues and icons of the sport; a haunted island; CT scientists and the Manhattan Project; the possible first saint from Connecticut; and the Marquis de Lafayette’s tour of the state in the early 1800s. Subscribe to the newsletter, here. Or if you have a factoid you think Andy Fowler should explore, email him at andrew@yankeeinstitute.org.
Before COVID, Connecticut ranked low in openness and access in healthcare, but the pandemic provided an unprecedented experiment in expanding those areas. Dr. Robert Graboyes — president of RFG Counterpoint, LLC — examined Connecticut’s healthcare system, and offers seven innovative, constructive, bipartisan solutions in Yankee Institute’s latest policy report to relax prior restrictions on the provision of care. Read the full report here.
Public sector employees enjoy “release time” provisions — which enable employees to engage in union-related activities full- or part-time during their working hours. This means taxpayers are paying these employees to not do their job, while possibly supporting political activities with which they disagree. Ben Weingarten, editor-at-large for RealClear Investigations, dives into the costs of “release time” in his piece “To Unions, Organizing Time Is Fine When It’s on the Taxpayers’ Dime.” He also writes extensively on First Amendment rights. Follow him at Twitter @bhweingarten or his website, here.
The goals of the Citizens’ Election Program (CEP) were to free candidates from the influence of lobbyists and big money, and also enable candidates from more diverse backgrounds to run for office. However, the program is plagued with imperfections — and even notorious kickback schemes. Connecticut Inside Investigator’s Katherine Revello explores the abuses and shortcomings of CEP in a multiple-part investigation “Examining Connecticut’s Clean Election Program.” Read part one here.
Marc Fitch — Connecticut Inside Investigator’s senior investigative reporter — is the new master of horror and suspense with the release of his latest novel, “Dead Ends.” He explains his creative process and gives insights into the chilling tale of four lives being thrown into chaos. “Deads Ends” is out August 15 and available wherever books are sold. Pre-order it here.
What makes a city or town livable? And how are lawmakers addressing housing and transportation concerns to the improvement or detriment of Connecticut’s municipalities? Dr. Jonathan Wharton — associate professor of political science and urban affairs at Southern Connecticut State University (SCSU) — discusses these critical issues with YI President Carol Platt Liebau, and explains how lawmakers can incentivize Nutmeggers from leaving the state during their prime earning years. Learn more about him here and follow his writings at CT News Junkie and Hearst Media.
Thinking about leaving the union or know someone who is considering it? Well, they only have the month of August to decide! Mike Costanza — a public school teacher in North Stonington and founder of the Facebook group “Constitution State Educators — returns to the show to discuss how teachers can opt out of their union, and debunks the myths perpetuated by the unions if a teacher decides to leave. To learn more about Constitution State Educators, visit here.
Sometimes good people can do a bad thing. This was a lesson John Santa — former CEO of Santa Energy — learned when a friend went to prison for embezzlement. After visiting his incarcerated friend, John was inspired to found the Malta Justice Initiative (a former Catholic ministry) to educate and bring the sacraments to prisoners, which proved challenging. He soon discovered that the best way to help prisoners re-enter society was a job. Since then, he has advocated both for criminal justice reform, as well as for providing education for prisoners in order to prevent recidivism. Currently, John is the vice president of the Sentencing Commission of Connecticut and board chairman of H.J. Baker & Bros. He also co-authored a book called “The Justice Imperative: How Hyper-Incarceration has Hijacked the American Dream.” Find it here.
It has been five years since the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Janus v. AFSCME, where the Court held it violated the First Amendment for unions to compel government workers to subsidize them. But what led to the case? What were its consequences? What was it like to argue before the Justices? Bill Messenger — vice president and legal director for National Right to Work and one of the nation’s foremost labor advocates — represented plaintiff Mark Janus. He shares his insights and his thoughts about the “next frontier” in the fight to protect free speech against politicized unions. Learn more about National Right to Work here.
More on our guest…
Bill Messenger was a staff attorney at National Right to Work for more than twenty years and, during that time, represented individuals in numerous cases that sought to expand worker freedom of choice. This includes acting as lead counsel in three cases before the U.S. Supreme Court. Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Messenger attended Ohio University as an undergraduate and then the George Washington University School of Law. He is also the husband of our own dear Elisabeth Kines Messenger, former executive vice president of Yankee Institute and now CEO of Americans for Fair Treatment.
How did major crises like the Great Depression and World War II — and government interventionism through the New Deal — shape the economy of the 20th century? And how did corporations come to dominate this period? Richard Langlois, a professor at UConn, offers a nuanced reframing and reassessment of the economic, institutional and intellectual history of what’s been called the “managerial century” in his new book, The Corporation and the Twentieth Century. Learn more here.
Roger Sherman was more than “just a simple cobbler from Connecticut,” as sung in the musical, “1776.” He was a true statesman, earning the distinction of being the only Founding Father to sign all four great documents of the United States: the Continental Association, the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the U.S. Constitution. Connecticut’s Founding Father did more than sign those papers, however, shaping the very fabric of the republic, says Prof. Mark David Hall — author of “Roger Sherman and the Creation of the American Republic.” Hall explains Sherman’s impact on the founding and his legacy today. Learn more about our guest here.
Frank Ricci, Yankee Institute’s Labor Fellow, has had a storied career not only as a New Haven firefighter — retiring as Battalion Chief — and serving as the union president, but also being lead plaintiff in the landmark U.S. Supreme Court case Ricci v. DeStefano (2009). He is also an accomplished writer, authoring the new book Command Presence: Increase Your Influence, offering readers lessons on how to lead when everyone is watching, strengthen your negotiating tactics, and develop a media presence. This ‘three books in one’ is out now wherever books are sold. Find it here.
So what happened in the 2023 Legislative Session? Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-36th) provides an analysis of the biennial budget that cut income taxes, fair share housing, the benefits of the 2017 fiscal guardrails, pushing back on other ‘bad’ bills, and the importance of localism and civic engagement. Learn more about Sen. Fazio here.
Connecticut Inside Investigator found a group of divorcees who claim the state’s family court system is not only ignoring abuse allegations in ongoing child custody battles, but enabling them. YI President Carol Platt Liebau discusses the claims with Lisa Fontes, a psychotherapist, author and activist who lectures on topics ranging from the sexual abuse of children to intimate partner violence. Learn more about her here.
During an April Appropriations Committee meeting, Rep. Rachel Chaleski (R-138th) noticed that only three out of four charter schools were funded in the proposed state budget. The one left out was a school planned for Danbury, which had already been approved by the State Board of Education in 2018. To rectify the situation, Rep. Chaleski introduced an amendment to fund the school, unaware she was upsetting the procedural applecart! The move caused an uproar at the Capitol. Although the amendment eventually failed, Rep. Chaleski is fighting on to give every student the chance to receive a good education. Learn more about her here.
Did you get free Covid-19 test kits from the U.S. Postal Service? If so, you may have been one of 68 million citizens whose private information was given to labor unions. This breach in sensitive data was discovered by Americans for Fair Treatment (AFFT) — a nonprofit organization that educates public employees about their rights in a unionized workplace and connects these employees with all available resources to defend those rights. Elisabeth Kines Messenger (CEO of AFFT and former executive vice president at Yankee Institute) explains how AFFT is holding the U.S. Postal Service accountable and discussed how Connecticut is a testing ground for labor policies across the country. Learn more about AFFT here.
With session winding down and the budget taking shape, Reps. Holly Cheeseman (R-37) and Tammy Nuccio (R-53) discuss the importance of the 2017 bipartisan budget’s fiscal guardrails on the current proceedings, and ways to improve the overall process so Connecticut can avoid economic hardships. Learn more about Rep. Cheeseman here; and more about Rep. Nuccio here.
More than 700 bills that made it out of committee now await for a vote by the General Assembly. Bryce Chinault — Yankee Institute's director of external affairs — breaks down the good bills that expand free market principles and individual liberties, and the bad bills that restrict those rights. To help Connecticut voters know what bills are good and bad, Chinault developed a ‘Bill Tracker’ providing analysis on high priority pieces of legislation as well as an easy-to-use ‘Take Action’ tool to contact your representative. Learn more, and Take Action here.
Matt Guarnieri believes in unionization; however, when he failed to receive support from his local union, and witnessed the over-politicization of school policies from the national union, he left. He now belongs to Christian Educators and became a member of Americans for Fair Treatment (AFFT).
As Connecticut Inside Investigator celebrates the first anniversary of its launch, Conner Drigotas (managing editor) and Marc Fitch (senior investigative reporter) provide a retrospective on the challenges and rewards starting a news outlet has presented. They also dive into the investigations and stories that have made a real impact on the lives of state residents. If you want hard-hitting stories and original investigations that no other news outlet will touch, subscribe to CII’s free newsletter today! Follow here.
David Flemming has joined Yankee Institute as its new policy director. A lifelong Vermonter and former energy policy analyst at the Ethan Allen Institute, he discusses the policy opportunities in Connecticut, his passion for research, political ‘awakening’ and education at Hillsdale College. David recalls his experience briefly interning for Sen. Bernie Sanders — and how he may even have accidentally hit him while riding a bike in Burlington.
The UConn Men’s Basketball Team has just won a national championship, the program’s 5th since 1999, which now ties Duke and Indiana for the number of titles all time. Joe D’Ambrosio — a sportscaster known as the “Voice of the Huskies” — joins Y CT Matters to discuss how UConn’s coach Dan Hurley built a team to win it all and what the championship means for the state. D’Ambrosio is currently the broadcaster for UConn Hockey and UConn baseball, filling in on WJMJ-FM. Follow him here.
The TCI gas tax may be back and worse than before! Chris Herb of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association (CEMA) explains how the General Assembly is abdicating its legislative authority to an unelected bureaucrat who could lock the state into economically regressive emissions programs similar to TCI. Read the full bill (S.B. 1145) here. Learn more about CEMA here.
A few years ago, Susan Zabohonski noticed the size of government was growing too large, impacting her small business and local community. Despite not being involved politically prior, she felt compelled to speak up against government overreach. She has since testified at the state Capitol on multiple occasions — most recently against rent caps, even though she is a renter — and became involved with Families for Freedom, a grassroots organization, to help others get involved in local politics. Apart from her activism, she owns Village Pets Grooming.
Marie Weingarten and Alexis Harrison of ‘CT 169 Strong’ — a grassroots organization fighting for local zoning control — dive into the housing issues currently being debated at the state Capitol, including overdevelopment, the impact of 8-30, and ‘fair share’ zoning, which would require the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) to determine the need for affordable housing units: meaning appointed bureaucrats and housing advocates, unaccountable to the electorate, would have control. The organization tracks other ‘bad bills’ that will impact your neighborhood. Find them here.
In early 1860, Abraham Lincoln was neither a congressman from Illinois nor President of the United States; however, as a powerful orator on slavery, he was invited to speak in Hartford, New Haven, Bridgeport, Meriden and Norwich — which turned out to be one of the few times he ever visited Connecticut. Former Sen. Joe Markley of Southington offers insights into Lincoln’s speeches and trip to the Constitution State.
Since the November elections, Gov. Ned Lamont and lawmakers have proposed revisiting the way Connecticut residents vote, offering ranked choice voting as an alternative. But what is ranked choice voting and how does it work? Jason Snead, executive director of Honest Elections Project, breaks down how a ranked choice system not only misleads voters, but also makes voting less democratic and reflective of the will of the people. Learn more about Honest Elections Project here.
Small towns in Connecticut will be feeling the financial and staffing burdens if bills on project labor agreements, affordable housing and ‘right to housing’ — to name a few — become law. Betsy Gara, executive director of the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST), dives into the issues with YI President Carol Platt Liebau and they discuss how small towns make up the fabric of Connecticut. Learn more about COST here.
Faith Ham — operations director for the Charter Oak Leadership Program, school board member, and a former teacher — returns to the podcast to discuss why there is such widespread distrust of the education system. Speaking from experience, she reveals how local boards of education members have limited control, noting that members are actually “agents of the state” beholden to Hartford’s mandates.
She also comments on recent education bills introduced by the General Assembly, as well as the future impact of the Right to Read legislation. Some of the proposals include making teacher-student communications exempt from FOIA; mandating elementary students be taught climate change is caused by humanity; and limiting local school boards’ authority to prevent educators from indoctrinating students with their own ideologies.
Legislators in the General Assembly have recently introduced bills that would make teacher-student communications not subject to FOIA; mandating elementary students be taught climate change is caused by humanity; and chilling local school boards’ efforts to hold educators accountable for teaching their personal ideologies, even when those are completely opposed to parents’ or districts’ values.
Faith Ham — operations director for the Charter Oak Leadership Program and a Connecticut school board member — reflects on the impact of such bills, not only on educational outcomes, but on the ability of parents, administrators, and teachers to form healthy, trusting partnerships that will help children succeed.
If Connecticut is so financially sound as suggested by candidates in the November elections, why are lawmakers proposing new taxes that will drive the state economy into the ground, political commentator Steve Noxon asks. He dives into the latest legislation being debated at the Capitol — from increased taxes to tax agents to surveillance cameras on motorists. He breakdowns the mayhem with YI President and host Carol Platt Liebau.
Will affirmative action in the college admissions process survive a U.S. Supreme Court decision later this year? John Yoo — the Emanuel Heller Professor of Law at the University of California at Berkley — breaks down the case and how affirmative action is antithetical to a “color blind Constitution.” He also comments on other cases before the high court, as well as the impact of the Court overturning Roe v. Wade.
For years, the administrative state within the U.S. government has been overreaching its powers, limiting the freedom of speech. In steps Peggy Little, senior counsel at the New Civil Liberties Alliance (NLCA). With more than three decades of legal experience, she joins the show to discuss how far agencies have gone to stifle speech in business to even the American Bar Association, her recent litigation in front of the U.S. Supreme Court, and how the ever-growing troubling trend of self-censorship is antithetical to the Founding. Learn more about her work here.
At a young age, Bob Scinto feared of being a ‘nobody,’ with no legacy. Rather thanresorting to despair, he used that fear as a powerful motivator. Beginning as a plumber, Bob rose through hard work and established R.D. Scinto Inc., one of the largest privately held Connecticut commercial real estate corporations. He discusses his backstory — struggles in school, battling dyslexia and anxiety — as well as tips for success in business, including mastering the art of listening and a genuine commitment to serving others. Learn more about Scinto and his business philosophy here.
With 14 years of legislative experience in CT, Terrie Wood joins the first episode of 2023, providing color commentary and insights into Gov. Ned Lamont’s inauguration. She also gives perspective of what being a legislator is like, building relationships with other lawmakers, developing policy, as well as what to expect in the long legislative session — with a particular focus on housing and education issues.
What’s in store for the legislative session beginning on Jan. 4? Andy Markowski — Yankee Institute’s advisor on government affairs — previews how Democrat and Republican leadership will react legislatively in the House and Senate following the 2022 elections. He also predicts that lawmakers will propose more than 3,000 bills focusing on energy, healthcare, law & order, as well as the bi-annual budget.
Tis the season of giving, so what better than to learn from an expert about ‘giving.’ In this episode, Lukas Dwelly — philanthropic advisor at DonorsTrust — discusses how donating (or not donating) to charitable causes, churches, colleges, or other institutions is an expression of free speech; and how government overreach has impacted philanthropy to go against peoples’ values and principles.
Learn more about DonorsTrust here.
Meghan Portfolio — Yankee Institute’s manager of research and analysis — has developed a mild obsession with exposing government’s transgressions since joining YI in 2019! She broke the story of Sen. Richard Blumenthal attending a communist dinner; Jane Fonda saying COVID was “God’s gift to the Left”; and lawmakers nearly allowing senators and representatives accessing anyone’s tax returns. She reads EVERY bill, and has a watchful eye on CT-N — the state’s government TV channel.
If you want to be in ‘the know’ about what’s happening in Hartford, sign up for her newsletter, the Hartford Portfolio, here.
Marc Fitch — senior investigative reporter at Connecticut Inside Investigator — reflects on the news outlet’s inaugural year, being a government watchdog, and telling the stories no one else will cover.
In the latest episode of Y CT Matters, Dr. Scott Nicol — superintendent of the Ellington Public Schools — discusses re-establishing trust between parents, teachers and the education system with an aim at transparency. He also shares how the school district’s math and reading test scores actually improved during the pandemic, and approaching education through an unbiased lens. Follow him on Twitter, here.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, political columnist Don Pesci discusses Election Day 2022 results and its repercussions on state policies toward unions, inner cities, education and more.
Pesci is a political columnist of long standing, about 40 years, who has written for various state newspapers, among them The Journal Inquirer, the Waterbury Republican American, the New London Day, the Litchfield County Times, the Torrington Register Citizen and other Register Citizen papers. He maintains a blog, “Connecticut Commentary: Red Notes From A Blue State,” which first launched in 2004. He also appears once a week Wednesdays on 1080 WTIC Newstalk radio with Will Marotti. Read his blog here.
So what happened on election day? Themis Klarides — former House Minority Leader in the General Assembly — joins the latest episode of Y CT Matters to discuss the state and national election results. Klarides served in the 114th district for more than 20 years, and was the first woman to lead Republican members in the CT General Assembly.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Daniel Di Martino — an a Columbia PhD. student, activist and economist — shares insights into life in Venezuela under socialism took hold, and the destruction it its brought to his homeland. To learn more about DiMartino, click here.
In this episode, Dan Miressi — a state senate candidate for the 25th district — discusses Connecticut politics, his motivation to run for office, as well as how government in the past 20 years has not provided enough economic opportunities for his generation to achieve the American dream. (His opponent, Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, has also been invited to appear on the podcast.) To learn more about Miressi’s candidacy, click here.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Chris Healy — executive director of the Connecticut Catholic Conference and board of education member in Wethersfield — discusses his organization’s public policy and advocacy efforts.
After six months since CT Inside Investigator launched, managing editor — Conner Drigotas — joins Y CT Matters to discuss the outlet’s top stories, continued mission and the future of journalism.
Follow CII at https://insideinvestigator.org/
In the latest episode of Y CT Matters, Jack Horak — a lawyer with The Alliance for Nonprofit Growth & Opportunity (TANGO) and former YI board member — returns to discuss how nonprofits are uniquely positioned to alleviate societal and cultural issues as an alternative to big government.
In the latest episode of Y CT Matters, Jack Horak — a lawyer with The Alliance for Nonprofit Growth & Opportunity (TANGO) and former YI board member — discusses how nonprofits are a fundamental pillar in American society, as well as critical to promoting free enterprise and limited government.
In this episode ofY CT Matters, Gregory Stroud, the editor-in-chief and co-founder of the CT Examiner, discusses the importance of local journalism and the online newspaper’s mission of providing nonpartisan news to the small towns and cities of Connecticut.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Joe Sculley shares highlights of his seven-year career promoting and protecting the trucking industry and CT businesses as president of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut — including the group’s advocacy against tolls.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Jeff Hogan, president of Upside Health Advisors, returns to discuss innovations in healthcare, as well as potential reforms to improve transparency and accountability within the system.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Chris Powell — an opinion columnist at the Journal Inquirer — shares insights from his more than 50 years in journalism, as well as the increased partisanship in media.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Jeff Hogan, president of Upside Health Advisors, discusses the complexities of the current healthcare system, how it was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the potential solutions to restoring the doctor-patient relationship.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Kevin Blacker — a farmer turned activist — discusses civil disobedience, and the actions he has taken to expose alleged grift and corruption in the redevelopment of the State Pier in New London as an offshore wind turbine farm.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Lee Elci chronicles his more than two decades of experience as a radio talk show host, political commentator, journalist and author, as well as insights into the national and local issues that resonate most with Connecticut residents.
In the latest episode of Yankee Institute’s podcast Y CT Matters, Greg Dillion — a former FBI agent and author of The Thin Blue Lie: An Honest Cop vs The FBI — chronicles the retaliation he experienced after whistleblowing FBI misconduct to his boss, the head of all law enforcement in Connecticut.
On this week's episode, Mike Costanza, a public school teacher in North Stonington and founder of the Facebook group “Constitution State Educators,” shares why he declined membership in the teacher’s union, the impact of the U.S. Supreme Court’s Janus decision, and how increased competition can not only improve students’ education, but improve the union.
With over 25 years of experience in broadcast radio Todd Feinburg has mastered the art of conversation and inspiring listeners to think about the issues of the day differently. Listen in as he joins Carol discussing a range of topics from politics, his entrance into broadcasting and the continued tradition of broadcasting school delays.
Litsten to Todd weekdays on WTIC 1080 AM from 3 – 6 P.M.
Carol speaks with former N.Y. Lieutenant Governor and Yankee board member Betsy McCaughey about the non-profit organization she formed to reduce the risk of infections in hospitals and nursing homes.
Listen to find out what you can do to protect yourself and loved ones from the hidden risks that lurk beneath the surface and how to choose a hospital or facility that will reduce your chance of contracting these potentially dangerous infections.
For more information on this important topic, we encourage you to visit https://hospitalinfection.org.
Join us for Part II of Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau’s conversation with YI board member Professor Gerald Gunderson, a founder of Yankee Institute. This week’s episode focuses on entrepreneurship, ranging from art and hi-tech innovation to ancient Greece and modern day America. Tune in to learn more about how entrepreneurs have played a vital role in the advancement of civilization as we know it today!
In this episode, Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau is joined by YI board member Professor Gerald Gunderson, a founder of Yankee Institute. Professor Gunderson has served as Trinity College’s Shelby Cullom Davis Professor of American Business and Enterprise, and Director of the Shelby Cullom Davis Endowment at Trinity College since 1982. Dr. Gunderson is also the author of The New Economic History of America and The Wealth Creators: An Entrepreneurial History of the United States. His conversation with Carol ranges from Yankee Institute’s early days to his own storied career to his thoughts on higher education today and where it’s headed.
Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau is joined by YI’s advisor on government affairs, Andrew Markowski. He is a principal at Statehouse Associates, LLC, and a denizen of the Capitol, whose business it is to know everything that goes on in that storied building – the good, the bad, and the ugly! Andy speaks with Carol about how he became a specialist in government affairs, what it’s like to be deeply involved in day-to-day life at the Capitol, and how he manages to retain his idealism and good humor despite his “insider” knowledge about how the policy process really works in our state.
In this episode, Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau is joined by former Connecticut teacher Jennifer Tafuto who made national headlines last year after she walked away from the classroom over concerns about Critical Race Theory. Jennifer talks about her experiences with CRT creeping into the curriculum, how she saw it starting to impact her students and what drove her to speak out.
In this episode, Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau is joined by Chris Herb, President of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association to talk gas prices. As the cost at the pump seemingly reaches a new all-time records daily, Carol and Chris will look at the factors driving the increasing prices and what special factors play a role here in Connecticut. They will also look ahead towards the costs of other forms of energy and what the market may look like this winter when it comes time to heat your home this winter.
In this episode, Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau is joined by YI Director of Policy and Research Ken Girardin to talk about he recent policy paper CT’s Growing Problem: Population Trends in the Constitution State. Ken blows up the myth that Connecticut's population problem has to do with moving vans leaving the state.
Ken also talks about the recent SEBAC negotiations and how the deal will impact state finances going forward.
In this episode, Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau is joined by Carolanne Marquis from Children's Educational Opportunity Foundation of Connecticut. They talk about the work Children's Educational Opportunity does in providing scholarships to low-income families in Connecticut so more kids can get the benefit of a private-school education.
Carolanne talks about the application process and shares some of the heartwarming stories of some of the program's biggest success stories.
In this episode, Yankee Institute President Carol Platt Liebau is joined by Dan Haar from Hearst Media. They talk about Connecticut's financial outlook and look back at how the state got to be where it is now.
Dan also talks about his writing process and how he gets some of his ideas.
Plus the story of how Dan nearly accidentally knocked Larry Bird out of the 1987 NBA finals.
Carol Platt Liebau talks to Marc Fitch about the launch of Connecticut Inside Investigator and his work as an investigative journalist.
They also delve into some of Marc’s other writing including his non-fiction books and horror novels.
Marc also tells the story about how he got his start at Yankee Institute and the role muttonchop sideburns played in his hiring.