In This Issue:

From Paddi's Desk

On The Marble

Municipal Roundup

Federal Focus

CT Agency Corner

This Day in CT History

This Week's News:

CT delegation outlines ‘priorities’ for lame-duck Congress session

Utility says winter electric rates will go up about $14. CT official calls it ‘more terrible news’

Remembering Governor M. Jodi Rell

Former Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell passed away at 78 after a brief illness, leaving behind a legacy of leadership and integrity. Rell, who served as governor from 2004 to 2011, became the state's second female governor after the resignation of Governor John G. Rowland. She was widely praised for her ability to restore trust in the government, her bipartisan approach, and her compassionate leadership during a time of turmoil.

Rell's tenure saw significant accomplishments, including the Charter Oak Health Plan, which aimed to provide healthcare access for all state residents, and her support for same-sex unions. She also championed an ethics reform, pushing for transparency and public financing of campaigns.

Her leadership style, marked by civility and a focus on the public good, earned her respect from both Democrats and Republicans alike.

Following the news of her passing, tributes poured in from political leaders across the state and country, honoring her contributions to Connecticut. U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, Governor Ned Lamont, and Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz were among those who recognized her as a role model and a trailblazer, particularly for women in politics.

Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz noted that, “She was hardworking, smart, and well-liked by her colleagues on both sides of the aisle. She brought integrity, compassion, and civility to public service, and she was truly a role model for many women in government. She was a strong advocate for our veterans, military men and women, and members of our National Guard.”

Her passing was met with widespread sorrow, with many reflecting on her unwavering dedication to public service and her lasting impact on the state's governance.

What happens now across the country and in Connecticut?

After the recent election, and the one before, it’s not surprising that nearly half the voters are disenchanted with the results.

We’ve been told throughout our lives, “Don’t be a sore loser,” or “Keep your celebrations to yourself until you are by yourself.” But I prefer the quote by Harry Sheehy the winningest D3 former coach at Williams College: “It’s your response to winning or losing that makes you a winner or loser.”

Lately, however, rather than accepting defeat with grace or shaking hands after the game with recognition of a battle well fought, too many campaigns and their supporters are tending to respond with allegations of dirty pool by the other side, complaints of fraud or accusing the other side of not caring about people or their country, and demonizing their opponents after time has run out and the game is over.

High stakes don’t demand heated rhetoric.

While some may disagree, America’s best example of dignified dissent can be found in the U.S. Supreme Court, where justices routinely disagree yet maintain respect even when handling the most political cases. Even in polarizing cases, dissenting justices conclude their opinions with, “I respectfully dissent.” It’s a practice that shows how deeply rooted dissent is in American history. Even fierce rivals like the late Justices Antonin Scalia and Ruth Bader Ginsburg maintained a friendship grounded in mutual respect despite widely disagreeing on ideas—without personal animosity.

As presidential historian Alexis Coe wrote, dissent and partisanship trace back to George Washington’s cabinet, where political disagreements spilled beyond closed doors. The Bill of Rights, which guarantees our right to peaceably assemble and petition the government, is another example of respectful dissent. As Temple University historian Ralph Young observes, “Americans haven’t shut up since.”

Yet dissent doesn’t mean undermining one’s own country. Political scientist Juliet Hooker argues that true patriotism includes questioning wrong actions rather than blindly supporting them. Martin Luther King Jr. echoed this sentiment, challenging calls for incremental change and arguing that some “bargain-rate” approaches to reform delay real justice—yet he never criticized the opponents who forcefully disagreed with his position.

Meanwhile, before many of us were born, presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson, graciously accepted his two losses to former President Eisenhower in 1952 and 1956, serving as a model for post-election civility. Upon losing to Eisenhower in 1952, Stevenson called for unity, saying, “It is traditionally American to fight hard before an election. It is equally traditional to close ranks as soon as the people have spoken.”

Former president George H.W. Bush, who famously left a supportive, hand-written letter for former president Bill Clinton after losing his re-election bid: “Your success now is our country’s success. I am rooting hard for you.”

Whether elected officials are seated here in the Connecticut legislature or on their city council or in the second-floor corner office of the State Capitol (aka the Governor’s office), the way we move forward is to listen, respectfully disagree, rally like-minded residents, watch the vote as it’s taken and then respect the basic rule of democracy—the majority rules. 

History provides some timeless quotes that underscore the strength of democracy and respectful dissent—those we can draw upon over the coming four years, or perhaps just until the 2026 election. At that point, the U.S. House will be up for election and Connecticut’s statewide election for governor, legislature and the constitutional officers will happen.

Frederick Douglass was a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent activist, author and public speaker who proclaimed, “If there is no struggle, there is no progress."  

These words highlight the necessary tension in a democratic society. After an election, especially a hotly contested one like we just experienced, the focus should be on moving forward through constructive disagreement. That’s what democracy is all about - the voice of the people. We will have plenty of opportunities to appeal to the voters at election time.

Post-election life reminds us of the need for resilience and maintaining decorum, no matter whether our side won or lost. "Courage is grace under pressure," Ernest Hemingway said. We all have responsibility for the future and responsibility to embody the dignity that democracy demands.



Ultimately, good post-election etiquette requires resilience and a resolve to move forward. It’s about accepting loss without abandoning one’s principles and finding common ground while persisting, respectfully, in the face of disagreement.

The strength of American democracy lies in its ability to embrace both unity and dissent, knowing that the strongest link in our nation’s true success depends on the strength of each link in its chain.

Sullivan & LeShane started the column CT Agency Corner in our weekly In The Loop newsletter in 2015 named after the fabled “Kiner’s Korner” radio show for Mets fans.

It’s been a great ten-year run providing our readers updates on the latest news from across the state, and I’m happy to report that our latest hire, Lindsay Seti, will be the new agency prognosticator. As for me, readers will now be treated to a brand new 210 Capitol Avenue weekly article simply titled, “On The Marble.”

I’m confident you will enjoy Lindsay’s unique perspective and hope you find some of my new takeaways as “news that’s fit to print.”

On The Marble

The election results were tallied, reported and certified this week for the last state precinct in recount which was the 8^th State Senate district in Avon/Canton/Torrington.

Two weeks of speculation on the margins for both the House and Senate have finally concluded with the official Democrat-Republican margins in each chamber resting at 102-49 in the House and 25-11 in the Senate. Here are some of the most important takeaways from these numbers:

• Democrats in both chambers represent super majorities in both the House and Senate which has not taken place in Connecticut since the Obama election in 2008.
• Super majority in the 2009-2010 legislature seemed more significant given that Republican Governor Jodi Rell was in office, but today Governor Lamont and the legislature certainly do not see eye-to-eye on the state budget.
• This super majority will likely encourage the Governor to take executive action on offering rescissions to the budget since the current fiscal year has fallen into deficit and adopting consensus on spending cuts is riskier.
• While the Governor will feel pressure related to these margins, both Democrats and Republicans will feel more pressure to have “party loyalty” on certain votes given the veto implications attached to votes.

The Speaker of the House started making announcements last week of major Chairmanships with the remaining three chambers convening private meetings to determine appointments of these coveted positions. A unique challenge presented to the Senate Democrats this year is that they have 25 Senators with only 24 committees up for appointment. The majority of these appointments will be returning prior chairs, but new members made their case this week for their desired committee appointments.

Senate Republicans will have decisions to make on their end including, (1) Who the new Senate Minority Leader Steve Harding should appoint to be his Deputy Minority Leader, and (2) Who will lead the “money” committees on Appropriations and Finance given the important budget cycle set to take place.

House Republican leader Vin Candelora will also have very important vacancies to fill for Ranking Member appointments which include the Education and Finance committees which were previously held by two prominent caucus members who both lost reelection in 2024.

The last question on everyone’s mind, as we approach the beginning of session on January 8^th, is will there be a special session that was discussed during the campaign trail related to escalating energy prices? All sides seem to be indicating that there will not be a “lame-duck” session, but this can always change if appointments and confirmations need to be made or if further action is taken on the current fiscal year budget.

Much more to come from the State Capitol, and I look forward to sharing these perspectives with you each week.

Bridgeport Public Schools face a significant $39 million budget deficit, prompting officials to consider drastic measures, including spending freezes and staff layoffs. Chief Financial Officer Nestor Nkwo proposed eliminating positions created with now-expired federal COVID-19 relief funds, which previously bolstered district resources by over $150 million. Acting Superintendent Royce Avery emphasized prioritizing cuts in administrative roles over teaching positions, aiming to minimize classroom disruptions while tackling rising expenses like special education costs and substitute teacher salaries. Avery committed to transparency, pledging to share a detailed plan with the school board and the community to address the shortfall without jeopardizing the quality of education.

Special education expenses, which have surged by nearly $30 million due to external placements and transportation costs, are a primary driver of the deficit. Nkwo highlighted the district’s lack of facilities to support special needs students as a long-term issue, suggesting the conversion of a neighborhood school into a dedicated special education center as a potential solution. Additional financial strains include escalating transportation costs and a growing reliance on long-term substitutes to fill vacancies. While the district plans to use grants and reserve funds to partially offset the deficit, officials stress the need for sustainable budget strategies to avoid compounding financial challenges in future cycles.

In other Bridgeport news, the defunct Bridgeport Harbor Station Unit 3, Connecticut’s last coal-fired power plant, has been sold for redevelopment in a landmark deal aiming to transform the 33-acre waterfront site. Bridgeport Station Development LLC, a development group specializing in brownfield projects, purchased the property for just $1, taking on the significant responsibility of demolishing the plant and remediating the environmental damage. Supported by a $22.5 million state grant through the Community Investment Fund, the group will undertake a three-year demolition process, including the implosion of the iconic red-and-white smoke stack, marking a significant step toward reimagining the site. Governor Ned Lamont and Mayor Joe Ganim highlighted the sale as the first critical move to restore public access to the waterfront and launch a mixed-use project that promises to revitalize Bridgeport’s South End neighborhood.

Community leaders and state officials emphasized the importance of engaging local residents in shaping the redevelopment, which is expected to include housing and other mixed-use components. The South End, historically overshadowed by industrial pollution, has some of the highest asthma rates in the U.S., reflecting decades of environmental neglect. Residents and representatives expressed hope that the project will address longstanding disparities and provide new opportunities for economic growth and improved quality of life. With the demolition funded and environmental remediation in progress, this transformation represents a new beginning for the area, turning a symbol of the past into a vision for a more sustainable and inclusive future.

Cabinet Secretary Season

Welcome back to the federal section of In the Loop. As we all know, we have had an eventful week when it comes to federal politics. Cabinet Secretary nomination season is upon us, and if you like fireworks, some of these announcements have not disappointed. Several articles and write ups from the past few days have included headlines that would make it seem as if these nominations automatically mean these individuals will certainly become Secretaries. But as we know, that is not the case. Let’s dive into some of these nominees and why they matter to Connecticut, specifically to our Connecticut Delegation. Each nominee will go through a rigorous confirmation process. That will include a vote in the Senate for each individual nominee. Want to get super wonky on the history of this process, read this. The majority party holds the cards and while the Republicans control the Senate, the numbers are tight. If confirmed, these future Cabinet Secretaries will control vast agencies that control various aspects of government bureaucracy. Each of our delegation members in Connecticut will have to interact with these cabinet members and some more than others. Let’s dive into what I am getting at here.

Senators will have the fun job of confirming these nominees (or not doing so). Senator Chris Murphy and Senator Richard Blumenthal will both be tasked with that important job and their areas of focus will come into play. Remember, they both spoke in favor to confirm Linda McMahon as the head of the SBA just a few years ago. That is what is interesting about the Senate confirmation process, it’s normally cordial. While this year could be different in many respects, both of our Senators will be tasked with working with these cabinet Secretaries if confirmed. Senator Blumenthal being a former Attorney General himself will be tasked with working on policy that the Department of Justice and Attorney General suggest in the new administration, a position still up in the air as former House member from Florida, Matt Gaetz, withdrew his nomination to be President-elects Donald Trump’s Attorney General. Senator Murphy, with a focus in on the budget, foreign policy, immigration, and healthcare will be tasked with key interactions with those relevant Cabinet Secretaries. Our two Senators are experts in several fields but their focus is different when it comes to committee assignments. The potential confirmation of these cabinet nominations will be “must watch tv” for all political junkies but for those really in the weeds, the way our Senators interact with these cabinet Secretaries during the Trump Administration will be particularly interesting to track. Next week, we will take a look at the House delegation in CT and what we may see from them in a new Trump Administration when it comes to Cabinet Secretaries. 

One of the key issues dominating headlines over the last six months is the rising cost of energy in Connecticut. There has been a lot of finger pointing between the legislature, the utility companies, PURA, and state leadership. Republicans in the House and Senate called for a special session this summer to address the issue, while Democratic leadership felt that the legislative proposals put forward were just a band-aid for a systemic problem.

Ultimately, PURA is responsible for determining the utility rates charged to customers, and this week they issued some big decisions. The agency cut rates for both Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG) and required them to return $120M to customers over the next three years. This is on the heels of United Illuminating (UI) and Eversource submitting their biannual supply rate adjustment with PURA. They warned that residential electric customers will receive an increase of $14-$15 from January-June 2025 if approved by PURA. Yankee Gas is also seeking a $290M rate hike.



As we head into the legislative session, there is no question that Connecticut’s energy affordability issues will continue to be a major topic of conversation. Expect to hear more about Connecticut’s energy procurement policies, the role PURA plays in setting those policies, the agency’s relationship with DEEP, and how real long-term rate relief can be achieved for taxpayers without crushing electric companies… it’s all on the table and sure to be a rollercoaster. 

November 20: Newly Discovered Bones Challenge the Bible in a Hartford Saloon

Today in 1845, awestruck visitors gathered at Gilman’s Saloon in Hartford to view the skeleton of an extinct great American mastodon recently unearthed at a marl pit near Newburgh, New York. At a time before the discovery of the great dinosaurs, when ideas about the world’s origins conflicted with deeply held theological views of earth’s creation, the twenty-nine foot long, twelve foot high, nearly complete skeleton of a massive elephant-like creature with ten foot tusks raised profound, thought-provoking questions about the early history of America and the possibility of an animal-inhabited world that pre-dated human existence. The existence of such animals potentially refuted a Biblical account in the second chapter of Genesis implying that the creation of Adam and Eve preceded the creation of animals. (Ironically, it indirectly – though incompletely – supported the account in the first chapter of Genesis that said Adam was made on the sixth day of creation, after the animals.)

“We can hardly believe,” the Hartford Courant wrote, “that a race of animals has inhabited this country, each one as large as three or four Elephants, but here is the proof before our eyes.” They urged everyone “to embrace the opportunity of seeing this great curiosity.”

Lecturing on the exhibit a week earlier in New Haven, Yale professor Benjamin Silliman stated he was “inclined to the belief that these animals existed before the creation of man.” However, he also said he was not confident in this belief.

The Warren Mastodon, as it came to be known after being purchased by Harvard Professor John Warren, who built a special museum for its display in Boston, was the first complete American mastodon skeleton found in the United States, and remains one of the most complete mastodon skeletons anywhere.

It was displayed in Boston until 1906, when Hartford-born financier J. Pierpont Morgan purchased the Warren mastodon for the American Museum of Natural History in New York City, where it can still be seen. The Biblical debate its discovery brought into focus also continues, Today In Connecticut History.

To view the full story on the CT Historian's website, click here.