A Better Connecticut Institute

A progressive think-tank informing policies that create a better Connecticut for everyone

[Connecticut For All @CTForAll]

75+ activists from across the state are gathering in Hamden to plan for #2025Session and our upcoming #fiscalroadblock fights! Our communities are in survival mode while @GovNedLamont touts a high credit rating and billions in surplus. It’s time to #FundOurFuture

[Economic Policy Institute @EconomicPolicy]

Congrats to the Volkswagen workers in TN on their historic vote to join @UAW!

Our research shows that unions are not only good for workers, they’re good for communities and for democracy 🇺🇸
https://t.co/IToJeQ6yU1

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

CT's focus on 'concentrated poverty' is a good start to focus on neighborhood context for addressing differentials in social, economic, and health outcomes. https://t.co/tzxEcFdd8C

[American Institute for Boys and Men @aibm_org]

Male college enrollment and completion rates have dropped significantly in the last half century.

Check out our latest research brief on male college enrollment and completion:
https://t.co/dHuAszI4IK

Men's share of Bachelor's degrees dropped from 57% in 1970 to 42% in 2021, with steeper declines at other degree levels.

In 2022, 57% of male high school graduates and 66% of female graduates enrolled in college. Women's college enrollment has been steadily increasing, while men's enrollment has been more stagnant since 1964.

Of course, not all college students start right after high school, but the overall enrollment share is still much lower for men, with a ten-point gap between men and women aged 18-24.

When broken down by race, the widest gaps are between Hispanic men and Hispanic women with a 12 percentage point gap, while Asian students have high enrollment rates and the smallest gender gap, with men trailing women by only 6 percentage points.

In raw numbers, there are 2.4 million fewer men pursuing degrees than women. This gender gap has been widening since the 1980s.

Completion rates are also persistently lower for men - 6 year graduation rates are 61% for men and 68% for women.

Men’s declining achievement in higher education is a problem, as higher education is key to economic and social advancement for both men and women. Policymakers and higher education institutions must urgently confront this issue.

[ctnewsjunkie @ctnewsjunkie]

Connecticut Teachers Join Fight For Social Security Benefits https://t.co/6l6HM2EvsO #ctnewsjunkie #ctpolitics

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

A new ABCI article on how strong coalitions between labor unions and community organizations that advocate for expanded public sector resources through collective bargaining have been a successful way to combat inequality. https://t.co/IlVwktjKr5

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

New research from ABCI: Connecticut's community college consolidation failed to deliver promised efficiencies; Administration has ballooned, faculty have decreased, and deficits have grown. Blame lies with the college administration and Governor Lamont. https://t.co/way0CrPrSl

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

A new ABCI report reviews the 2023 Tax Incidence Study: There are several errors and heroic assumptions; The tax system is overall regressive; The personal income tax is less progressive than it was because of a reduced EITC over the past 10 years. https://t.co/e2NQTuLlmy

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

@ctdata @TF_Johnston @CRCOG1 @GovNedLamont @HartfordBiz @CTMirrorPaz @capitolwatch @CTHousingOpp @CTDeptHousing @ConnecticutCPAs @DanHaarColumns These are more accurate numbers than what came out from the ACS several months ago. In this case, there haven't been any big changes in long-term trends. More of the same: slow population growth, net migration near zero, pop growth largely driven by international migration.

[DataHaven Connecticut Data Hub @ctdata]

@TF_Johnston @CRCOG1 @GovNedLamont @ABetterCTInst @HartfordBiz @CTMirrorPaz @capitolwatch @CTHousingOpp @CTDeptHousing @ConnecticutCPAs @DanHaarColumns Update: New #Census estimates of annual population change from 2022 to 2023 show net domestic migration of -9,016 in #Connecticut, net int'l migration of +15,264, and natural change of +2,115. Total population change of +8,470, a growth rate of 0.2%. https://t.co/OnU7hP03cr #nnip

[Scholars for a New Deal for Higher Education @SFNDHE]

@SFNDHE Virtual Forum
Thu 3/28 7pm ET
"The Big Con in Higher Ed: How Consulting Firms Are Transforming the University and How to Fight Back"
Forum will feature experts tracking the methods and impact and how to fight back.
@AAUP @HigherEdLabor
REGISTER:
https://t.co/Yx6H4SpKAh

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

The Biden administration is fighting to protect fast food and outsourced workers’ right to come together in unions—and shouldn’t let anti-worker lawmakers undermine these efforts.https://t.co/bzymea161v

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

A great op-ed from Jeff Ogbar, President of UConn AAUP, fighting against many of the narratives regarding the funding of UConn https://t.co/wWByzxT80y

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

Connecticut’s workforce faces housing burdens. Limited equity co-ops, like those supported by the Naugatuck Valley Project, offer permanent affordability and community support. https://t.co/pD7PR57JAv

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

With clean energy driving job growth, skilled workers are needed in fields like solar and wind. Education must prioritize preparing students for these roles for workforce development in the era of decarbonization. https://t.co/CndCuww4ni

[Economic Policy Institute @EconomicPolicy]

Top three facts that prove immigrants are NOT taking jobs from U.S.-born workers and are revving up the economy instead (plus one factor that is actually harming workers):

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

Enrollment Decline in Connecticut State Colleges & Universities Is Not Inevitable: It Is a Policy Choice. CSCU has blamed enrollment decline and justified austerity on a smaller college-age population. In fact, the college-age demographic remains stable. https://t.co/MJ6f9vCpbz

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

A new commentary by the A Better Connecticut Institute reports that progressive policies improve life expectancy. If all states adopted policies like Connecticut, U.S. life expectancy would increase by 1-2 years. https://t.co/aRY7t3d16F

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

A Better Connecticut Institute is back, dedicated to a brighter future for all! 🌐 We're delving into research sharing insights on crucial state issues. Stay tuned for positive changes! https://t.co/7o62Lv9oht

[A Better Connecticut Institute @ABetterCTInst]

Report: 63,000 young adults in CT struggled with being "disconnected" in 2021-2022 https://t.co/OHALxpTj6r