Connecticut
Unlimited debate, fine; but not abuse
“My view on politics in Connecticut right now is we’re at war,” Republican State Sen. Rob Sampson said in a recent interview. “We’ve been operating as if it’s peacetime for too long as Connecticut Republicans.”
As Senate President Pro Tem and Senate Majority Leader, we take no joy to inform readers that one of the Connecticut General Assembly’s most time-honored traditions is under attack in this era of ugly and contentious politics. We refer to the longstanding convention of entertaining unlimited debate.
Some residents may be surprised to learn that the majority party in our state legislature has traditionally and voluntarily committed to an open exchange of ideas for as long as its senators and representatives wish to. Long after the Republican Party began to assault the very foundation of our federal institutions, we have let flexibility and the spirit of good faith debate guide us in the State Senate.
At times, this tradition has resulted in marathon debates that have tested the patience of our members. Anyone who has served in the state Senate has likely watched the early morning sun filter through the chamber’s ornate stained-glass windows after a long night spent arguing over the asserted merits or flaws of a particularly contentious bill or amendment.
It is important to note that Connecticut is not typical in observing this custom. In 2009, the non-partisan Office of Legislative Research reported that only 15 state legislatures did not prospectively set limits on debate to effectively expedite the flow of the legislative calendar.
Here in Connecticut, we have chosen not to utilize tools to curtail debate — though those tools certainly do exist. We have maintained this practice both as a professional courtesy to our colleagues and as a reflection of our desire to ensure that the voices of Connecticut residents represented by the minority party are included in our deliberative process.
It has become difficult, however, to continue extending that courtesy to members of a reduced Republican minority when certain members have not only abused that accommodation but boasted about that abuse in the media.
Last Monday, Sen, Sampson claimed to be “humble” as he told reporter Mike Cerulli that he wielded “tremendous power” over the legislature as it nears the end of its session. The claim was based on Senator Sampson’s presumed capacity to abuse the tradition of unlimited debate in order to defeat Democratic priorities simply by talking until the State Senate ran out of time at midnight on the constitutionally mandated final day of the legislative session. “In many ways, I decide what lives and dies. I really do,” Sampson reportedly said.
While we endeavor to ensure that minority party voters’ voices are heard, Senator Sampson, like all state senators, represents approximately 100,000 Connecticut residents. It is difficult to understand why one senator should be permitted to decide “what lives and dies” for the entire state. Such an unbalanced approach defies the spirit of representative democracy.
It is worth noting that voters have seen fit to expand the General Assembly’s Democratic majorities in each of the last four election cycles. The people of Connecticut have voiced their desire for Democratic programs and policies, and we must honor that trust.
While we remain reluctant to abandon our longstanding commitment to forbearance and accommodation, the senator’s own words demonstrate a hostility to the spirit of cooperation and restraint that underpins such patience. Time will tell if the minority party wants this tradition to live or die.
Martin Looney is President Pro Tempore and Bob Duff is Majority Leader of the Connecticut State Senate.
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — Five Connecticut towns will collectively receive $10 million in grants for infrastructure upgrades, according to a Monday announcement by Gov. Ned Lamont.
The Connecticut Department of Housing (DOH) is awarding $10.7 million to Coventry, Guilford, Ledyard, Mansfield and Thomaston to modernize and rehabilitate housing for low- and moderate-income residents, the announcement said.
The funds are being released through the DOH’s Community Development Block Grant’s small cities program, with funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. To be eligible, a municipality must have fewer than 50,000 residents.
Cost Breakdown
Coventry: $2 million
Town of Coventry plans to use funds to upgrade, with a focus on making Orchard Hill Estates compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Guilford: $2 million
The Town of Guilford plans to use funds to design and build future affordable housing projects, consisting of up to 16 rental units and 8 homes.
Ledyard: $2 million
The Town of Canton requested funding for the first phase of affordable housing for people in Ledyard and the surrounding area. Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut is in the pre-development phase of the Colby Drive and plans to create 38 units.
Mansfield: $2.2 million
Funding will be used for upgrades to Wright’s Village, including roof replacements and sidewalk repairs.
Thomaston: $2.5 million
Funds will be used to make Green Manor ADA-compliant, including the installation of a new emergency call aid system.
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Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
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Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
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