MALLOY STILL PITCHING MINI-BUDGET
HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) – Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is making a last-ditch effort to persuade leaders of the Connecticut House of Representatives to pass the three-month mini budget he crafted before the fiscal year ends Friday. In a letter sent Wednesday to Democratic House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz and House Republican Leader Themis Klarides, the Democrat stressed it’s not in the best interest of constituents or Connecticut’s economy to operate state government without an approved budget. Malloy says his mini budget will preserve funding for things like youth summer jobs and rental assistance programs. While the top Democrat in the Senate says he supports voting on the mini budget, Aresimowicz said Tuesday his members do not want to vote on a temporary fix, saying it only “kicks the can down the road.”
HARBOR PANEL TO CONSIDER CITY PURCHASE OF SCRAPYARD
A proposal from one Norwich alderman to have the city purchase the now-closed Shetucket Iron and Metal scrapyard is being considered by the local Harbor Management Commission. Tucker Braddock, who’s also running for mayor, says it’s a prime opportunity for the city to make the riverfront property a municipal park and fishing area. The Commission says it’ll research the terms of the July 29th auction, when the site is put up for bid. They hope to present the City Council with the idea at its July 17th meeting. Opponents of the idea say the New Wharf Road location isn’t suitable for a recreation area, noting there’s an active freight rail line running through it.
POSTAL WORKER PRAISED BY NORWICH POLICE
Norwich police are crediting a U-S Postal worker for help in arresting a burglary suspect. Police say the worker noticed a suspicious male outside a Washington Street residence shortly after noon on Wednesday, carrying a television set. The postal employee notified a police officer in the vicinity. Police discovered the front door to the home open, the TV missing, and the suspect leaving the scene. Police later caught up with 32-year old Dwayne Sutton of Norwich, who was allegedly wearing jewelry stolen from the residence. He faces burglary and larceny charges, and is due in court July 6th.
SPICER IS FUND-RAISER GUEST
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – The Rhode Island Republican Party is holding a fundraiser to honor White House press secretary Sean Spicer. It’s scheduled for Sunday. Spicer grew up in Barrington, Rhode Island. Tickets for the event cost a minimum $250. Tickets to a private VIP reception before the event cost $1,000. The party has not publicly released the location of the event, and says it will only be disclosed to attendees.
CANADIAN P.M. MAY BE IN RI
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (AP) – Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo says she expects Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to meet with the nation’s governors at a summer summit in Rhode Island, but his office couldn’t confirm his attendance. The Democratic governor is hosting the three-day Providence summit of the National Governors Association. It begins July 13. Raimondo said Wednesday that “Justin Trudeau is coming.” Reporters expressed surprise and Raimondo said, “maybe I just made news.” Trudeau’s office told The Associated Press the prime minister has been invited to the gathering of the bipartisan governors’ group, but it couldn’t yet confirm if he will attend. Tech billionaire Elon Musk is planning to go. Raimondo plans to ask governors in attendance to support the global Paris climate accord. President Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the pact.
