Ginny Monk
@ginnymonk.bsky.social
Writer, baker, runner. Covering housing + children’s issues + running an intern program for CT Mirror. Formerly investigative reporter at the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
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Ginny Monk
@ginnymonk.bsky.social
· Nov 22
Home State by Ginny Monk | A CT Mirror Newsletter
Ginny Monk updates you on the latest housing trends, shares what she's reading and introduces you to fellow Connecticut residents.
ctmirror.org
I suppose the thing to do is introduce myself here 👋
I'm Ginny! I write about housing, land use, and children's issues in Connecticut. You can find my work/contact info here: ctmirror.org/author/gmonk/
I also write a newsletter on housing policy! Sign up here: ctmirror.org/home-state-g...
I'm Ginny! I write about housing, land use, and children's issues in Connecticut. You can find my work/contact info here: ctmirror.org/author/gmonk/
I also write a newsletter on housing policy! Sign up here: ctmirror.org/home-state-g...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
With the housing bill now passed, @ginnymonk.bsky.social and @ctmirror.org explain what’s inside the legislation and how it will impact housing across Connecticut. ctmirror.org/2025/11/17/c...
What to know about the CT housing bill passed in special session
The House and Senate approved the wide-ranging housing bill to replace a similar bill that Gov. Ned Lamont vetoed after the regular session.
ctmirror.org
November 18, 2025 at 6:41 PM
With the housing bill now passed, @ginnymonk.bsky.social and @ctmirror.org explain what’s inside the legislation and how it will impact housing across Connecticut. ctmirror.org/2025/11/17/c...
Latest: ctmirror.org/2025/11/07/h...
New CT housing bill cuts requirements in favor of opt-ins
The replacement for HB 5002, which Lamont vetoed in June, uses opt-in measures and incentives for more housing and strikes 'fair share'
ctmirror.org
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Latest: ctmirror.org/2025/11/07/h...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
“There’s a lot of conversation about intent, but I think really getting to action is where the rubber meets the road.” Our Melissa Kaplan-Macey spoke to the @ctmirror.org @ginnymonk.bsky.social about how Connecticut counts new homes. ctmirror.org/2025/10/27/c...
Much of state-funded affordable housing in CT is rehabbed property
It wasn't clear from the Office of Legislative Research report how much the properties actually expanded the state's overall housing stock.
ctmirror.org
October 31, 2025 at 1:46 PM
“There’s a lot of conversation about intent, but I think really getting to action is where the rubber meets the road.” Our Melissa Kaplan-Macey spoke to the @ctmirror.org @ginnymonk.bsky.social about how Connecticut counts new homes. ctmirror.org/2025/10/27/c...
A few months ago, in chatting with a post office worker, I learned about the hobby of raising homing pigeons. This led me to a vibrant community of people in Connecticut who race pigeons. Reporting this was a lot of fun.
ctmirror.org/2025/09/21/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/09/21/c...
For this New Britain man, late summer is pigeon racing season
Wilberto Aponte, president of the Connecticut Classic Pigeon Club, has 200 homing pigeons. With racing season underway, the stakes are high.
ctmirror.org
September 23, 2025 at 3:32 PM
A few months ago, in chatting with a post office worker, I learned about the hobby of raising homing pigeons. This led me to a vibrant community of people in Connecticut who race pigeons. Reporting this was a lot of fun.
ctmirror.org/2025/09/21/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/09/21/c...
The text messages, obtained by The Connecticut Mirror through an open records request, show how affordable housing has become a political quagmire for the state’s Democrats.
ctmirror.org/2025/09/19/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/09/19/c...
Political challenges of CT HB 5002 depicted in Ned Lamont’s texts
The texts show how affordable housing has become a political quagmire for Democrats, with some urging him to sign it despite voting no.
ctmirror.org
September 22, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The text messages, obtained by The Connecticut Mirror through an open records request, show how affordable housing has become a political quagmire for the state’s Democrats.
ctmirror.org/2025/09/19/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/09/19/c...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
For this New Britain man, late summer is pigeon racing season ctmirror.org/2025/09/21/c...
For this New Britain man, late summer is pigeon racing season
Wilberto Aponte, president of the Connecticut Classic Pigeon Club, has 200 homing pigeons. With racing season underway, the stakes are high.
ctmirror.org
September 22, 2025 at 12:19 PM
For this New Britain man, late summer is pigeon racing season ctmirror.org/2025/09/21/c...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
“I think what this reflects is when investments are made, they work,” our Chief Initiative Officer Jessica Kubicki tells @ginnymonk.bsky.social for the @ctmirror.org. “The challenge is, these investments have to be made to scale to actually what the inflow is.” ctmirror.org/2025/09/11/c...
Homelessness rises in CT as federal funding remains in flux
There were 3,735 people living in shelters or outside in CT in January 2025, compared to 3,410 in January 2024. That’s nearly a 10% increase.
ctmirror.org
September 12, 2025 at 6:33 PM
“I think what this reflects is when investments are made, they work,” our Chief Initiative Officer Jessica Kubicki tells @ginnymonk.bsky.social for the @ctmirror.org. “The challenge is, these investments have to be made to scale to actually what the inflow is.” ctmirror.org/2025/09/11/c...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
NEW: Connecticut DMV Committee Expands Study of Towing Law to Help Low-Income Residents Get Their Cars Back
The DMV committee was created as part of a towing reform law passed in response to a @propublica.org and @ctmirror.org investigation into towing practices in the state.
The DMV committee was created as part of a towing reform law passed in response to a @propublica.org and @ctmirror.org investigation into towing practices in the state.
Connecticut DMV Committee Expands Study of Towing Law to Help Low-Income Residents Get Their Cars Back
The working group was created as part of a towing reform law passed in response to a ProPublica and Connecticut Mirror investigation into towing practices in the state.
www.propublica.org
September 9, 2025 at 6:04 PM
NEW: Connecticut DMV Committee Expands Study of Towing Law to Help Low-Income Residents Get Their Cars Back
The DMV committee was created as part of a towing reform law passed in response to a @propublica.org and @ctmirror.org investigation into towing practices in the state.
The DMV committee was created as part of a towing reform law passed in response to a @propublica.org and @ctmirror.org investigation into towing practices in the state.
Reposted by Ginny Monk
Desegregate CT, which is hosting the national YIMBYtown conference, said Gov. Ned Lamont isn't invited after vetoing an omnibus housing bill.
After HB 5002 veto, Lamont not invited to YIMBYtown conference
Desegregate CT, which is hosting the national YIMBYtown conference, said Gov. Ned Lamont isn't invited after vetoing an omnibus housing bill.
ctmirror.org
August 26, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Desegregate CT, which is hosting the national YIMBYtown conference, said Gov. Ned Lamont isn't invited after vetoing an omnibus housing bill.
Reposted by Ginny Monk
“We often hear a city or a town doesn’t want Hartford making decisions for them...it sounds like we had a handful of towns making decisions for the entire state. That’s not fair or acceptable either." - @repkavrosdegraw.bsky.social 🎯
@ginnymonk.bsky.social @ctmirror.org
ctmirror.org/2025/08/18/c...
@ginnymonk.bsky.social @ctmirror.org
ctmirror.org/2025/08/18/c...
Emails: Lamont sought counsel on HB 5002 housing bill opposition
CT Gov. Ned Lamont involved his wife, a former state senator and others in discussions over how to respond to opposition to HB 5002.
ctmirror.org
August 20, 2025 at 7:05 PM
“We often hear a city or a town doesn’t want Hartford making decisions for them...it sounds like we had a handful of towns making decisions for the entire state. That’s not fair or acceptable either." - @repkavrosdegraw.bsky.social 🎯
@ginnymonk.bsky.social @ctmirror.org
ctmirror.org/2025/08/18/c...
@ginnymonk.bsky.social @ctmirror.org
ctmirror.org/2025/08/18/c...
“Here’s an example of the anti housing literature, which is catching fire in Fairfield County. I’m trying to figure out how best to respond to these gross misrepresentations before it is too late.”
I FOI'd Lamont's emails to see what happened before his HB 5002 veto.
ctmirror.org/2025/08/18/c...
I FOI'd Lamont's emails to see what happened before his HB 5002 veto.
ctmirror.org/2025/08/18/c...
Emails: Lamont sought counsel on HB 5002 housing bill opposition
CT Gov. Ned Lamont involved his wife, a former state senator and others in discussions over how to respond to opposition to HB 5002.
ctmirror.org
August 19, 2025 at 3:31 PM
“Here’s an example of the anti housing literature, which is catching fire in Fairfield County. I’m trying to figure out how best to respond to these gross misrepresentations before it is too late.”
I FOI'd Lamont's emails to see what happened before his HB 5002 veto.
ctmirror.org/2025/08/18/c...
I FOI'd Lamont's emails to see what happened before his HB 5002 veto.
ctmirror.org/2025/08/18/c...
CT journalism students! Applications are open for a fall audience engagement internship @ctmirror.org Come work with me and @gabbydeben.bsky.social !
ctmirror.org/internships/
ctmirror.org/internships/
Intern With Us | CT Mirror
CT Mirror offers paid journalism internships in reporting and audience engagement. Details on the programs can be found here.
ctmirror.org
July 30, 2025 at 2:55 PM
CT journalism students! Applications are open for a fall audience engagement internship @ctmirror.org Come work with me and @gabbydeben.bsky.social !
ctmirror.org/internships/
ctmirror.org/internships/
Reposted by Ginny Monk
"Once seated on a land-use board, the job — which is unpaid — can be a significant commitment...That can make it harder for people who have kids, more than one job, or those who attend night school to join the boards." - @ginnymonk.bsky.social @ctmirror.org ctmirror.org/2025/07/08/l...
Report: Zoning boards in CT don't reflect community demographics
A survey in New London and Fairfield Counties found that land-use boards were mostly comprised of white, male homeowners.
ctmirror.org
July 8, 2025 at 2:57 PM
"Once seated on a land-use board, the job — which is unpaid — can be a significant commitment...That can make it harder for people who have kids, more than one job, or those who attend night school to join the boards." - @ginnymonk.bsky.social @ctmirror.org ctmirror.org/2025/07/08/l...
Our latest on towing with @propublica.org was an exercise in community-engaged reporting. The sources for this story came to us mostly through a call-out that's been included in our stories. Contact info for me and Dave is included in this one.
ctmirror.org/2025/06/30/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/06/30/c...
CT towing reforms will help some but not all, drivers say
Connecticut lawmakers passed reforms on a century-old towing law. But they don’t solve all the problems that vehicle owners have raised.
ctmirror.org
June 30, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Our latest on towing with @propublica.org was an exercise in community-engaged reporting. The sources for this story came to us mostly through a call-out that's been included in our stories. Contact info for me and Dave is included in this one.
ctmirror.org/2025/06/30/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/06/30/c...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
Children went missing from DCF care about 3,700 times from fiscal years 2021 to 2023, and the number of incidents increased by 42%.
ctmirror.org/2025/06/26/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/06/26/c...
June 27, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Children went missing from DCF care about 3,700 times from fiscal years 2021 to 2023, and the number of incidents increased by 42%.
ctmirror.org/2025/06/26/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/06/26/c...
Good thread on today's press conference during which CT's governor announced he'd veto a housing bill he previously supported, the most significant piece of housing legislation to cross his desk during his time in office.
He was asked a lot of times, and a lot of different ways, what exactly he'd like to see housing policy in CT look like and didn't provide a particularly clear answer.
Instead, he emphasized his desire for towns to be involved and expressed optimism there's a version of the bill they would support.
Instead, he emphasized his desire for towns to be involved and expressed optimism there's a version of the bill they would support.
June 23, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Good thread on today's press conference during which CT's governor announced he'd veto a housing bill he previously supported, the most significant piece of housing legislation to cross his desk during his time in office.
My first story with an editor's content warning at the top came out of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Reporting w/ Laura Tillman and Angela Eichhorst:
ctmirror.org/2025/06/03/c...
Reporting w/ Laura Tillman and Angela Eichhorst:
ctmirror.org/2025/06/03/c...
CT lawmaker cites sexually explicit language during budget debate
A book-banning provision within the CT budget prompted a lawmaker to read sexually explicit material on the House floor during debate.
ctmirror.org
June 3, 2025 at 10:59 PM
My first story with an editor's content warning at the top came out of the Connecticut House of Representatives.
Reporting w/ Laura Tillman and Angela Eichhorst:
ctmirror.org/2025/06/03/c...
Reporting w/ Laura Tillman and Angela Eichhorst:
ctmirror.org/2025/06/03/c...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
Ask children’s issues and housing reporter @ginnymonk.bsky.social any questions you have about housing bill HB 5002, her reporting, or what to expect on the last day of this year’s legislative session! She will be answering them starting at 4 P.M. tomorrow on Reddit!
www.reddit.com/r/Connecticu...
www.reddit.com/r/Connecticu...
June 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Ask children’s issues and housing reporter @ginnymonk.bsky.social any questions you have about housing bill HB 5002, her reporting, or what to expect on the last day of this year’s legislative session! She will be answering them starting at 4 P.M. tomorrow on Reddit!
www.reddit.com/r/Connecticu...
www.reddit.com/r/Connecticu...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
The reforms, which were proposed in response to an investigation by @ctmirror.org and ProPublica, make it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve them after a tow.
By @ginnymonk.bsky.social & Dave Altimari
By @ginnymonk.bsky.social & Dave Altimari
Connecticut Legislature Passes Bill Overhauling Century-Old Towing Laws
The reforms, which were proposed in response to an investigation by CT Mirror and ProPublica, make it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve them after a tow.
www.propublica.org
June 1, 2025 at 6:30 PM
The reforms, which were proposed in response to an investigation by @ctmirror.org and ProPublica, make it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve them after a tow.
By @ginnymonk.bsky.social & Dave Altimari
By @ginnymonk.bsky.social & Dave Altimari
Reposted by Ginny Monk
ICYMI, investigative journalism prompts good news: Connecticut Legislature Approves Towing Law Reforms
Connecticut Legislature Passes Bill Overhauling Century-Old Towing Laws
The reforms, which were proposed in response to an investigation by CT Mirror and ProPublica, make it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve them after a tow.
www.propublica.org
May 31, 2025 at 2:42 PM
ICYMI, investigative journalism prompts good news: Connecticut Legislature Approves Towing Law Reforms
Reposted by Ginny Monk
This soon-to-be-law is due to the hard work of @ctmirror.org journalists, primarily Dave Altimari, @ginnymonk.bsky.social, @shahrzadrasekh.bsky.social and editor Beth Hamilton. It's good when journalism makes a real difference. ctmirror.org/2025/05/30/c...
Connecticut Legislature Approves Towing Law Reforms
The reforms, which came in response to an investigation by CT Mirror and ProPublica, make it harder to tow vehicles from private property.
ctmirror.org
May 30, 2025 at 11:52 PM
This soon-to-be-law is due to the hard work of @ctmirror.org journalists, primarily Dave Altimari, @ginnymonk.bsky.social, @shahrzadrasekh.bsky.social and editor Beth Hamilton. It's good when journalism makes a real difference. ctmirror.org/2025/05/30/c...
Reposted by Ginny Monk
Tremendous impact. 🎉🎉 Prompted by @ctmirror.org @propublica.org Investigation, Connecticut Legislature Approves Towing Law Reforms, by @ginnymonk.bsky.social and Dave Altimari
Connecticut Legislature Passes Bill Overhauling Century-Old Towing Laws
The reforms, which were proposed in response to an investigation by CT Mirror and ProPublica, make it harder to tow vehicles from private property and easier for drivers to retrieve them after a tow.
www.propublica.org
May 30, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Tremendous impact. 🎉🎉 Prompted by @ctmirror.org @propublica.org Investigation, Connecticut Legislature Approves Towing Law Reforms, by @ginnymonk.bsky.social and Dave Altimari
Reposted by Ginny Monk
“In recent months, as more people, particularly seniors, have lost their housing, health workers are finding that the cases they handle are more complicated.”
Via: @ctmirror.org's @ginnymonk.bsky.social
ctmirror.org/2025/05...
#housing+ #urbanism #urbanism+
Via: @ctmirror.org's @ginnymonk.bsky.social
ctmirror.org/2025/05...
#housing+ #urbanism #urbanism+
Medical workers care for CT’s homeless — from an old ambulance
Homelessness is increasing in Connecticut, and groups that want to help are asking the state for more money as cases grow more complex.
ctmirror.org
May 30, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“In recent months, as more people, particularly seniors, have lost their housing, health workers are finding that the cases they handle are more complicated.”
Via: @ctmirror.org's @ginnymonk.bsky.social
ctmirror.org/2025/05...
#housing+ #urbanism #urbanism+
Via: @ctmirror.org's @ginnymonk.bsky.social
ctmirror.org/2025/05...
#housing+ #urbanism #urbanism+
I spent a few hours with health care workers visiting homeless encampments last week. They say the medical needs of the unhoused population are growing more complicated, that they’re starting to have end-of-life care conversations with people.
ctmirror.org/2025/05/25/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/05/25/c...
Medical workers care for CT’s homeless — from an old ambulance
Homelessness is increasing in Connecticut, and groups that want to help are asking the state for more money as cases grow more complex.
ctmirror.org
May 25, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I spent a few hours with health care workers visiting homeless encampments last week. They say the medical needs of the unhoused population are growing more complicated, that they’re starting to have end-of-life care conversations with people.
ctmirror.org/2025/05/25/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/05/25/c...
CT's House of Representatives passed a bill this evening that would overhaul Connecticut's towing statutes.
ctmirror.org/2025/05/22/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/05/22/c...
CT House approves bill overhauling state's towing laws
The bill would make it harder to tow vehicles from private property in CT and easier for drivers to retrieve their vehicles after a tow.
ctmirror.org
May 23, 2025 at 2:24 AM
CT's House of Representatives passed a bill this evening that would overhaul Connecticut's towing statutes.
ctmirror.org/2025/05/22/c...
ctmirror.org/2025/05/22/c...