Legislative committees

Is sitting the new smoking ? Plugging away at a seated desk job for eight hours each day may appear to be a benign routine, but a growing body of research suggests that a desk-bound lifestyle may actually affect your health. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Physical Activity Guidelines Advisory Committee evaluated dozens of reviews, analysis and original research articles on physical inactivity, concluding that “strong scientific evidence demonstrates that exposure to high amounts of sedentary behavior significantly increases the risk of all-cause mortality" as well as rates of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. The committee also found that increased physical activity has been shown to lower such risks. While we may not be able to abandon the 9-to-5 workday model in the name of long-term health just yet, there's nifty gadgets on the market to help offset the effects of a sedentary lifestyle and improve fitness without having to hop off Zoom. TikTok … [Read more...] about Cubii under-desk elliptical review: A multitasker’s dream come true

In what would be the first reduction of the state income tax since 1996 and the largest since its adoption in 1991 , Gov. Ned Lamont on Monday said he will ask the General Assembly to cut the 5 percent rate to 4.5 percent, and for those who make less than $50,000 to pay no income taxes. The proposals would provide about $440 million in relief for 1.1 million of Connecticut's 1.7 million tax filers. "It's a long time coming," said the governor outside the East Hartford Community Cultural Center, stressing that working families and essential workers are the chief targets for the relief. Lamont will formally make the proposal on Wednesday, when he introduces his two-year spending proposal to the General Assembly. "This is the biggest tax cut since the dawn of the income tax in the state of Connecticut," said Lamont. Under the plan, those families who make less than $50,000 would pay no income tax, after their current 3 percent tax rate gets reduced to 2 percent. Those making less … [Read more...] about CT income tax rate would be lowered for some, erased for others under Gov. Ned Lamont proposal

New polling data shows that Texans are generally pretty down for legalizing weed . A survey from the University of Houston's Hobby School of Public Affairs released this week found that 67 percent of Texans "support legislation that would make the recreational use of marijuana for any purpose legal for those age 21 and older." Attitudes towards legalizing recreational cannabis appear to vary by race: according to the study's findings, " 73 percent of Latino, 66 percent of Black and 62 percent of white Texans support this legislation," referring to proposed recreational weed legalization laws. Hobby School researchers also found that 82 percent of Texans "support legislation that would make the use of marijuana legal for a wide range of medical purposes with a prescription, with 56 percent strongly in support of medical marijuana." Texas also appears to be in favor of reducing criminal penalties for marijuana use and possession. "81 percent of Texans support legislation … [Read more...] about Nearly 70 percent of Texas voters support legalizing weed

LEANDER — Texas veterans are working to protect the state’s hemp market — and push to expand the state’s medical marijuana program — at the state Capitol during this year’s legislative session. The veterans and their supporters say they need access to the hemp product known as delta-8 to treat issues such as chronic pain, traumatic brain injuries and post-traumatic stress disorder. Delta-8 is widely available throughout Texas and, like marijuana, can create a feeling of euphoria. “So many veterans are using these products and reporting good results,” said Dave Bass, an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom who is diagnosed with PTSD. He’s also a longtime advocate in the legislative push for accessible, affordable THC products. Most states, including Texas, legalized hemp production following federal changes in 2018 that removed the plant from the list of illegal controlled substances. The hemp plant has a lower amount of tetrahydrocannabinol, or … [Read more...] about Texas veterans vow to protect the state’s hemp market as one state lawmaker hopes to crack down

HARTFORD -- In one way of looking at it, a gala fundraiser that drew business and political elites to honor a former elected official in a minor league baseball park on the coldest night of the year was just that, a gathering for a charity, like so many. On the other hand, the firepower at Dunkin’ Donuts Park Friday night to applaud Shawn T. Wooden, who served one, 4-year term as Connecticut’s state treasurer, would impress anyone familiar with politics, business and the civic power structure -- especially in the Black community -- in and beyond Connecticut. And that raised an obvious question. “Shawn Wooden was always committed to Hartford,” said U.S. Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, the Brooklyn, N.Y. Democrat who’s minority leader in the House of Representatives and likely the future House speaker when and if the Dems win back that chamber. Wooden and Jeffries are pals from NYU law school. “He had so many opportunities to practice law across the country including at some of the … [Read more...] about Dan Haar: A flashy gala raises money — and speculation about a high-profile CT political career

This is a carousel. Use Next and Previous buttons to navigate 3 TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida lawmakers met Monday to begin a state takeover of Walt Disney World’s self-governing district and expand a migrant relocation program, key conservative priorities of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis ahead of his expected White House run. Republican leaders of the statehouse, in coordination with DeSantis, ordered the Legislature to convene in a special session to restructure the Reedy Creek Improvement District, as the Disney government is known. Lawmakers will also consider a proposal to create a state department focused on migrant transportation, after the governor flew a group of South American migrants from Texas to Massachusetts last year in protest of federal border policy. The session continues a focus by DeSantis focus on social issues including sexual orientation, gender and immigration as the Republican governor wades into political divides … [Read more...] about Florida begins session on Disney district, migrant flights