Podcasts

The segment with CT Voices’ Dr. Lauren Ruth begins at 18:43. State Senator Tony Hwang is helping unpack the complexities related to numerous proposed massive health insurance rate hikes under consideration for 2023. So we’ll help explain how you as ratepayers and health insurance consumers can step up and try to help stop or greatly reduce those proposed rate increases. Then we’ll welcome Connecticut Voices for Children to talk about their 2022 State of Early Childhood — examining the accessibility, affordability, quality, and funding of Connecticut’s early childhood system. And, on a similar subject, we’re reconnecting with End Hunger Connecticut, which just convened a round table of policy makers and experts discussing the future of the popular summer meals program, and what’s in store for kids in cafeterias all over the state this coming school year.

This is the sixth session in the series. Darien residents, in partnership with Fairfield County’s Center for Housing Opportunity, are inviting the members of the community to join them for a conversation regarding the ties between housing and education. Panelists include: – Emily Byrne, Executive Director, Connecticut Voices for Children – Amy Dowell, State Director, Democrats for Education Reform CT – Subira Gordon, Executive Director, ConnCAN – Allegra, Vice President, RAGETIME (Reform and Amend General Education)

Connecticut is plagued by the inter-related problems of wealth inequality and a regressive tax structure. COVID-19 has made it all worse. Emily Byrne, the Executive Director of CT Voices, addresses these issues and provides useful policy prescriptions.

The school year starts soon, and teachers and parents still ask: How will schools open safely? This hour, we talk with Jeff Leake, the president of the state’s largest teachers union, the Connecticut Education Association. The union says the state should only open school buildings if CDC and other safety guidelines are met. Some teachers worry that crowded classrooms won’t have sufficient measures to prevent COVID-19 outbreaks. And if schools become fully remote, how can districts ensure that all students are able to access online learning? We, hear from a Columbia University researcher who is helping districts plan ahead for the possibility of returning to fully-remote education. Are you a teacher or a parent? What fears or concerns do you have for this upcoming school year? GUESTS: 
Jeff Leake – President of the Connecticut Education Association (CEA), the largest teachers’ union in Connecticut Elizabeth Chu – Executive Director of the Center for Public Research and Leadership at Columbia Law School

It’s officially 2020, which means you may see a census taker knocking on your door this Spring. The decennial census also will be online. This hour, we talk with NPR’s Hansi Lo Wang about efforts to count everyone who lives in the United States, and why it matters. And later, we hear from local nonprofits about whether the state of Connecticut is spending enough on Census outreach. Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz will join us to talk about the state’s efforts. Got a question about the 2020 census? GUESTS: Hansi Lo Wang – NPR National Correspondent covering the 2020 Census (@hansilowang) Jay Williams – President, Hartford Foundation for Public Giving Joan Cruz – Director of Special Projects, Hispanic Health Council Susan Bysiewicz – Lieutenant Governor of the State of Connecticut (@LGSusanB)