A new study by Yankee Institute and Reason Foundation, a national public policy research organization, confirms that the 2017 bipartisan financial reforms known as the “fiscal guardrails” have saved Connecticut more than $170 million since enacted and, if kept intact, can save the state $7 billion over the next 25 years. 

The report, titled The Case for CT’s Fiscal Guardrails: How to Protect Public Pensions and Taxpayers, examines how the guardrails have improved Connecticut’s creditworthiness, making it less expensive for the state to borrow money to finance necessary projects. 

YI President is joined by the study's authors --- Len Gilroy and Mariana Trujillo -- for a discussion on the guardrails' importance. 

Find the full study here: https://yankeeinstitute.org/2024/09/23/the-case-for-cts-fiscal-guardrails/

Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, born in Ridgefield, Conn., became the first female pilot for a major airline when she was hired by American Airlines in 1973. She shares how she fell in love with flying and the challenges of breaking the sex barrier in a male-dominated field.  

8-30g is failing our residents. In Yankee Institute's latest study, "Getting a Handle on Affordable Housing," authors Francis Pickering and David Flemming explain how municipalities and developers across Connecticut have had to grapple with the state statute, and how it can be reformed to reduce housing costs.

Read the full study here.

Dan Hurley, the two-time NCAA champion coach, is staying with the UConn Huskies; Geno Auriemma signed a contract extension; the UConn baseball team made it to the Super Regional of the College World Series; and the WNBA Connecticut Sun is off to a great start. 

A lot is happening in Connecticut sports. Joe D’Ambrosio — a sportscaster known as the “Voice of the Huskies” — joins Y CT Matters to discuss all of it. D’Ambrosio is currently the broadcaster for UConn Hockey and UConn baseball, filling in on WJMJ-FM. Follow him here.

“Defending the pillars of our democracy such as free speech and capitalism.” That is part of mission statement of Narya Capital, a venture capital firm founded by U.S. Senator J.D. Vance and Colin Greenspon. Greenspon joins Y CT Matters to discuss the organization’s philosophy and the importance of protecting democratic ideals. Learn more about Narya here.

The Washington Free Beacon reported that up to half of UCLA’s medical students are failing basic tests of medical competence — and outlawed affirmative action practices are to blame. Andrew Quinio, an Equality & Opportunity Attorney at the Pacific Legal Foundation, provides insights into the legality of affirmative action in California, and how using race instead of merit negatively impacts everyone, including those who need the most help. Read the full report here. 

So what happened in the 2024 Legislative Session? Andy Markowski — Yankee Institute’s advisor on government affairs and principal of Statehouse Partners — breaks down the good, the bad and the ugly bills that passed or failed. Learn more about his work here.

The General Assembly wants to pay workers to strike? At the end of the Legislative Session, lawmakers passed a bill doing just that; however, Gov. Ned Lamont has voiced his opposition to the concept. Yankee Institute’s Labor Fellow Frank Ricci explains why paying striking workers is the “height of absurdity,” and how it will negatively impact Connecticut’s residents and businesses.

In this special two-part interview, Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Connecticut Basement Systems, shares his philosophy of building a successful business and his backstory: from a self-employed carpenter at 17 years old to overseeing thousands of employees. He was the recipient of Yankee Institute’s “Connecticut’s Future” Award at the 2024 Champions of Freedom Gala. Learn more about his business here.

In this debut edition of Connecticut Conversations, Yankee Institute DistinguishedFellow and former Minority Leader Themis Klarides hosts a conversation with Prof. Jeffrey Sonnenfeld of Yale University on Connecticut’s public pension funds and its investment track record. The state’s underperformance has cost the state billions — so much so that simply an average performance could have reduced the state income tax in half! Read the full report here. 

In this special two-part interview, Larry Janesky, owner and founder of Connecticut Basement Systems, shares his philosophy of building a successful business and his backstory: from a self-employed carpenter at 17 years old to overseeing thousands of employees. He is the recipient of Yankee Institute’s “Connecticut’s Future” Award at the 2024 Champions of Freedom Gala. Learn more about his business here.

Connecticut’s people suffer from some of the highest electricity rates in the nation. Why is that? The issue stems from the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) rules.

Passed by the legislature in 1998, the RPS severely restricts the ability of utilities to find the cleanest and most efficient means of providing electricity to Connecticut’s residents and businesses, creating higher electric bills as a consequence. Paul Bachman, Adjunct Scholar at the Beacon Hill Institute (BHI) and co-author of Yankee Institute’s latest study, Re-Energize Connecticut: Toward Affordable Electricity for All, explains how to make energy more affordable. Read the full study here.

It’s our 100th episode! To mark the significant milestone, Carol talked with Seth Dillon, CEO of The Babylon Bee, a satirical news site. Known for their conservative wit and “prophecies” (when jokes become reality), the Bee was famously locked out of its Twitter account over a joke. This action prompted Elon Musk to buy the social media giant. Dillon discusses why the Bee was founded, comedy in today’s climate, censorship and free speech, and interactions with Musk. Find the Babylon Bee’s work here.

Also, hear more from Dillon at YI’s “Champions of Freedom Gala” on April 27 at the Woodway Country Club in Darien. Purchase your tickets before April 17 while there are still seats! Buy them here: https://yankeeinstitutegala2024.splashthat.com/

For 98 episodes, YI President Carol Platt Liebau has discussed Connecticut policy, politics and human-interest stories as part of the organization’s efforts to be your eyes, ears and voice. But now the interviewer becomes the interviewee. Andy Fowler, director of internal affairs, guest hosts, asking Carol about her background, her love for Ronald Reagan, her time at Ivy League Schools, the evolution of Yankee Institute during her tenure, her hope for Connecticut and even her favorite musicals. Carol’s full bio can be found here.

How do scholarships benefit students? And how would a tax credit, if passed by the General Assembly, boost providing more educational access to low-income children? Tricia Tucker, head teacher/principal at Fairfield County SDA School, shares students’ journeys from public to private schools and the impact scholarships have had on her school. Learn more about the school here.

The Independent System Operator-New England (ISO-NE) is warning that the batteries pushed by blue states in the region to prepare the grid for increased solar and wind generation may have significant trouble recharging in low temperatures. Nick Pope – a Connecticut native and Daily Caller contributor – shares further insights into the report. Find his full article here.

The Connecticut Center for Educational Excellence (CTCEE), a Yankee Institute project, launched just over a year ago, providing scholarships to low-income students and families across Connecticut. Carolanne Marquis, the CEO of CTCEE, shares how 900-plus families have applied for such scholarships, and how students have already benefited emotionally and scholastically in less than a year at their new schools. She also advocates for an active bill before the Finance Committee that would create a state-level tax-credit scholarship program. This program would incentivize greater support for scholarships that help the students and families who need it most. To learn more about CTCEE and tax-credit scholarships, click here.

After his election to the 30th Senate District in 2023, Stephen Harding was named the Senate Minority Leader in February. He joins the show to share insights into key issues, such as housing, fiscal responsibility and electric vehicle mandates, as well as collaborating with different caucuses. Learn more about him here.  

In a recent report by PJ Media, over 75% of red state business owners say they are happy in their current location, while only about 30% of blue state employers say the same. So what is it like doing business in Connecticut? Chris Ulbrich — CEO of Ulbrich Stainless Steels & Special Metals, Inc. — explains the positives and challenges of operating in the Constitution State. Learn more about his company, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, here.

Who was George Washington? Why does he still matter in American life? Historian Kevin Gutzman, a professor and former chairman in the Department of History at Western Connecticut State University, returns to the podcast to share Washington’s monumental legacy and why he is worthy of praise today. His latest book The Jeffersonians is available now. Learn more at kevingutzman.com.

The General Assembly’s new legislative session began on Feb. 7. So what’s happened since then? More than you’d expect. Yankee Institute’s Bryce Chinault (Director of External Affairs) and Meghan Portfolio (Manager of Research and Analysis) break down what bills are being introduced and the scuttlebutt at the Capitol. Learn more on YI’s breakdown on bills on our Take Action page, here.

What do we mean when we talk about the electrical grid? What are Independent System Operators (ISOs)? How will energy infrastructure and markets be impacted by electric vehicle mandates? Portia Conant — senior markets analyst from Yes Energy — joins the podcast to answer those questions and more. Learn more about Yes Energy here.

The CT Mirror released a three-part series examining the effectiveness and viability of the 2017 bipartisan fiscal guardrails. Some state leaders believe they’re needed, others argue for reforms, and another contingent suggests eliminating the guardrails entirely. But Suzanne Bates — a former Yankee Institute Policy Director who sat on the Spending Cap Commission that presented the guardrails — notes how quickly state lawmakers have forgotten the financial mess that befell Connecticut from the government’s loose spending. She explains why the guardrails were established, and why they still matter.

 In 2004, Connecticut agreed to adopt California’s emissions standards. Fast forward 20 years, state lawmakers are now discussing how to implement electric vehicle (EV) mandates like the Golden State. But how has shifting to “green” energy impacted California? Edward Ring of the California Policy Center explains the detrimental effects, and why Connecticut should steer clear. Learn more about him here.  

With Donald Trump winning the Iowa Caucuses, how will the subsequent primaries play out, including Connecticut? How will the other candidates react? Prof. Gary Rose, who teaches political science at Sacred Heart University, gives insights to the 2024 Presidential Election.