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Alex Putterman

@alexputterman.bsky.social

620 followers 280 following 190 posts

Reporter for CT Insider, Hearst Connecticut Media. Proud Connecticut News Guild member. alex.putterman@hearstmediact.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · May 19

This week we publish something I've worked on a long time: a five-part series on inequality in Connecticut.

CT is known for wealth, but anyone living here knows that's only half the story.

Today's part explains what makes our state the nation's inequality capital.
www.ctinsider.com/news/article...

Two Connecticuts: How gaps between rich and poor define life in CT

Few places in the United States have inequality quite like Connecticut’s, where extreme wealth and extreme struggle coexist in startling proximity.

www.ctinsider.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 7h

Glad to see you here! Some of these provisions had public hearings earlier in the year but obviously not all of them

Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 16h

Here's what to know about the major housing bill Connecticut is about to pass, including what is and isn't in it and what's different from the version Gov. Lamont vetoed earlier this year.

CT is about to pass a major housing bill. Here's what's in it — and what isn't

Key changes are designed to assuage concerns from town officials that the state was infringing on their "local control."

www.ctinsider.com

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Reposted by Alex Putterman

Brian Lockhart @blockhartreporter.bsky.social · 4d

amont announces compromise bill to promote housing in CT with bipartisan group of municipal leaders. More below.:
www.ctpost.com/politics/art...

Lamont announces compromise bill to promote housing in CT with bipartisan group of municipal leaders

The deal eliminates the controversial "fair share" mandates that prompted fierce suburban opposition earlier this year that led to Gov. Lamont's veto of the legislation.

www.ctpost.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 4d

Exclusive from CT Insider:

Days before vetoing a much-debated housing bill, Gov. Lamont had a top aide draft a statement indicating he planned to sign it, according to emails from his office.

More behind-the-scenes details about HB 5002 here:
www.ctinsider.com/politics/art...

Emails show Lamont considered signing Connecticut housing bill days before vetoing it

Lamont instructed an aise to draft a statement announcing his support for the legislation before ultimately vetoing it.

www.ctinsider.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 4d

"Susan and I are ready to go," Lamont told reporters. "I didn't want you to have to ask me any longer."

@kendixonct.bsky.social reports on Gov. Lamont announcing his campaign for a third term.

Gov. Ned Lamont to file paperwork to run for third term in Connecticut: 'Ready to go'

Ned Lamont, a Democrat from Greenwich, first took office as Connecticut governor in 2019.

www.ctinsider.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 5d

Via @kendixonct.bsky.social:

CT lawmakers to meet next week to vote on $500 million fund, new housing proposal
www.ctinsider.com/politics/art...

CT lawmakers to meet next week to vote on $500 million fund, new housing proposal

Lamont, with a smile, said "maybe" he'll announce next week on whether he will seek a third four-year term.

www.ctinsider.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 5d

This passage...

Standing before a packed room of housing advocates and a row of TV cameras at the state Capitol this summer, Gov. Ned Lamont denounced a new executive order from President Donald Trump encouraging states and cities to arrest and institutionalize people experiencing homelessness.

“President Trump: homelessness is not a crime, not here in Connecticut and not in America,” Lamont said during the press conference. “These folks need help, not handcuffs. These folks need housing, not handcuffs. ... That's why we're standing up to this executive order and standing up for all of our citizens.”

Applause filled the room.

The next morning, 11 miles away, police woke up 64-year-old Zbigniew “Billy” Cichon from a park bench in downtown New Britain and issued him a $99 ticket for violating a city ordinance that bans sleeping in public spaces, he says. If he didn’t pay, a judge would decide his fate.

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 5d

And @jrabethomas.bsky.social expertly explored how public policy in Connecticut contributes directly to this crisis
www.ctinsider.com/projects/new...

Amid housing shortage, CT spends millions managing homelessness other ways

Amid a housing shortage, Connecticut is spending millions managing homelessness through foster care, jails and ERs. Lawmakers say the issue can be solved.

www.ctinsider.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 5d

A group of reporters also profiled people in Connecticut who have died while homeless, from a newborn baby to a 67-year-old whose car caught fire
www.ctinsider.com/projects/new...

134 unhoused people have died in CT this year. Here are some of their stories.

Some who were homeless died from the cold. Others died when their cars caught fire, or they were struck by vehicles. Our obits shine a light on who they were.

www.ctinsider.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 5d

Highly, highly recommend this project from a team of us at @ctinsider.bsky.social, led by the incomparable @jrabethomas.bsky.social.

Over two days, reporters fanned across CT to tell the story of homelessness here.

I promise you will learn something.
www.ctinsider.com/projects/new...

48 hours of homelessness in CT: The faces and stories of a growing crisis

With affordable housing hard to find in Connecticut, the number of people who are homeless — young and old, in cities and towns — is rising fast.

www.ctinsider.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 6d

Some takeaways from Election Day in Connecticut:

- Democrats won nearly all the major races, flipping more than two-dozen towns from red to blue

- The nine largest towns/cities, as well as 18 of the 20 largest, are now run by Democrats
www.ctinsider.com/election/art...

What to know about 2025 CT election: Democratic wins, tabulator issues and more

All nine of the state's largest communities will now be run by Democrats.

www.ctinsider.com

Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 7d

The story in Connecticut appears similar to the story nationally, with Democrats winning nearly all of the most-watched races.

Lots of details here:
www.ctinsider.com/election/art...

CT Election Day live updates: Democrats flip multiple seats in Connecticut

More than 192,271 votes were cast in early voting around Connecticut and hundreds of thousands more were expected Tuesday.

www.ctinsider.com

Reposted by Alex Putterman

NBC News @nbcnews.com · 7d

BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race, NBC News projects. nbcnews.to/4nIzNUC

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 7d

Follow along with Connecticut election results on @ctinsider.bsky.social! So far:

- Democrats are claiming a bunch of key wins, including in New Britain, Danbury, Ansonia and more
- Small glitches with voting machines, SOTS says, but nothing major
www.ctinsider.com/election/art...

CT Election Day live updates: Democrats claim several early wins in Connecticut

More than 192,271 votes were cast in early voting around Connecticut and hundreds of thousands more were expected Tuesday.

www.ctinsider.com

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 8d

Because if they're sub-5 this cycle they can't be on the 2028 ballot, right?

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Alex Putterman @alexputterman.bsky.social · 8d

Good to know! So the earliest Bonds and Clemens would be "permanently ineligible" would be 2032, by which point who even knows what things will look like