Shelton, CT
Politics
CT Residents Weigh In On Lamont Job Approval In Brand-New Poll CT Residents Weigh In On Lamont Job Approval In Brand-New Poll
CT Residents Weigh In On Lamont Job Approval In Brand-New Poll Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont’s disapproval rating has hit 40 percent, according to a newly released poll from Sacred Heart University’s Institute for Public Policy. According to the poll, two-fifths of Connecticut residents “disapprove” of the way Ned Lamont is performing as governor, including 64.1 percent of Republicans and 47.8 percent of unaffiliated voters. Lamont has a 24.1 percent disapproval rating among Democrats that were polled. The poll found that the highest percentage of residents “approve” the way the governor is handling healthcare at 29.6 percent, while the lowest number of …

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by Zak Failla
DV Plus - Fairfield, CT
Politics
Sales Tax On Groceries, Prescriptions, Soft Drinks, Even Cats: Just 'Ideas,' Or Coming To CT? Sales Tax On Groceries, Prescriptions, Soft Drinks, Even Cats: Just 'Ideas,' Or Coming To CT?
Sales Tax On Groceries, Prescriptions, Soft Drinks, Even Cats: Just 'Ideas,' Or Coming To CT? Bob Stefanowski predicted it, numerous times, during televised debates last fall: Democrat Ned Lamont of Greenwich is a "clone of Dannel Malloy" and there may be few taxes, fees or tolls, that the newly-elected governor doesn't like, the Republican gubernatorial candidate alleged. Now-Gov. Lamont recently expanded his two-year budget proposal to include taxes on sugary drinks, plastic bags, wine and liquor bottles, tobacco and vaping products. Connecticut would be the first state since 1992 to pass a soda tax if it happens this year. Five other states also are considering a soft drink…

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by Jon Craig
Pleasantville, NY
Lifestyle
New York's No. 1 - For Highest Taxes In Nation, According To New Data New York's No. 1 - For Highest Taxes In Nation, According To New Data
New York's No. 1 - For Highest Taxes In Nation, According To New Data A brand-new study has revealed that New York and Connecticut are paying the highest taxes in the country. 24/7 Wall Street released the report reviewing the “total tax burden as a share of income on a per capita basis” to identify the states with the lowest and highest tax burden. Federal taxes were not included in the calculations. The study found that New York led the way as the highest taxed state in the country, with 12.7 percent of income going toward taxes. Connecticut was just being at 12.6 percent. The study’s methodology can be found here. Details from the report include:  N…

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by Zak Failla
Mount Vernon, NY
Politics
After Weeks Of Consternation, Mount Vernon City Council Approves 2019 Budget After Weeks Of Consternation, Mount Vernon City Council Approves 2019 Budget
After Weeks Of Consternation, Mount Vernon City Council Approves 2019 Budget Weeks after a spending plan is traditionally approved, the Mount Vernon City Council has passed a $112 million budget for 2019 that represents a rise in city taxes of nearly 2 percent. With a 4 to 1 vote, the City Council approved the budget, which will see the average taxpayer spending approximately $77 more this year. The passage comes after weeks of contention between Mount Vernon Mayor Richard Thomas, Comptroller Deborah and the City Council over the city’s finances. According to a lohud report, Councilwoman Janice Duarte was the one to vote against the budget, calling it “fundamentally…

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by Zak Failla
Fairfield, CT
Politics
Big Win In Bridgeport Makes Lamont Apparent Winner In CT Gubernatorial Race Big Win In Bridgeport Makes Lamont Apparent Winner In CT Gubernatorial Race
Big Win In Bridgeport Makes Lamont Apparent Winner In CT Gubernatorial Race This story has been updated. Greenwich Democrat Ned Lamont pulled off a win in the Connecticut gubernatorial race after being credited overnight with a 15,931 win in the state's largest city, Bridgeport. Lamont also won the state's third-largest city, Hartford, by 17,238 votes. Republican Bob Stefanowski conceded the race for governor about 9 a.m. on Wednesday after late returns from the state’s cities pushed Lamont to victory. “A few moments ago, I called Ned Lamont to concede the race for governor and congratulate him on a hard-fought victory,’’ Stefanowski said in a statement. "I wish …

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by Jon Craig
Greenwich, CT
Politics
Second Governor's Debate Degrades Into Personal Attacks Second Governor's Debate Degrades Into Personal Attacks
Second Governor's Debate Degrades Into Personal Attacks Monday's second gubernatorial debate was less about budget details and more about personal attacks. "I'm not sure what you know,'' Republican Bob Sfefanowski said about Democrat Ned Lamont, prompting boos from the audience. "I've never heard such arrogance,'' Lamont said to groans. "My way or the highway. I'm right and you're wrong. You need a governor who can reach out across the aisles." Lamont and Stefanowski are running to succeed Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, a Democrat who decided not to seek re-election on Nov. 6. Monday's 60-minute televised debate was held at the Shu…

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by Jon Craig
Greenwich, CT
Politics
Greenwich's Stemerman Says He Puts Action Ahead Of Politics In Governor's Race Greenwich's Stemerman Says He Puts Action Ahead Of Politics In Governor's Race
Greenwich's Stemerman Says He Puts Action Ahead Of Politics In Governor's Race This is another in a series of Daily Voice articles profiling candidates for governor.  As a youngster, David Stemerman has fond memories of Connecticut as a state perfectly situated between two major cities -- New York and Boston -- that people didn't just want to drive through, but loved to visit and make a home.  Massachusetts was nicknamed "Taxachusetts," and its tech companies were relocating until a series of Republican governors turned the Bay State's economy around, from Stemerman's perspective. Today's Connecticut, the Republican candidate for governor says, is better-kn…

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by Jon Craig
White Plains, NY
Politics
Westchester, Putnam, Rockland County Execs Share Thoughts On Biggest Issues Westchester, Putnam, Rockland County Execs Share Thoughts On Biggest Issues
Westchester, Putnam, Rockland County Execs Share Thoughts On Biggest Issues Westchester County's new County Executive George Latimer made his Pattern for Progress debut Monday, April 23 as he joined Rockland County Executive Ed Day and Putnam County Executive Mary Ellen Odell for an annual Southern County Leaders discussion. It was held in Putnam County for the first time this year. Moderated by Pattern's President & CEO Jonathan Drapkin, the three county executives discussed some of the major issues facing the lower Hudson Valley, including high taxes, the opioid epidemic, and the need for infrastructure upgrades.  Additional questions came from audience membe…

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by Jon Craig
Bergenfield, NJ
Lifestyle
Dumont Couple $15G 'Richer' After Congressman Resolves IRS Error Dumont Couple $15G 'Richer' After Congressman Resolves IRS Error
Dumont Couple $15G 'Richer' After Congressman Resolves IRS Error A Dumont couple was able to receive $15,500 back with help from Congressman Josh Gottheimer after the IRS erroneously demanded it from them. When lifelong Dumont residents Charles and Betty Crasten sold a stock certificate, their profits were misreported to the IRS by a third-party clearinghouse, causing the IRS to demand $15,558 -- a common error among seniors selling paper securities.  When the IRS contacted the couple looking for the payment, the couple thought that they were destined for jail. Instead, the Crastens called Gottheimer, whose office identified the error almost immediately…

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by Cecilia Levine