Politics

WASHINGTON--What does Rep. John Larson, a Connecticut liberal and congressional veteran, have in common with Rep. Blake Farenthold, a Tea Party freshman from Texas?

Both are deeply skeptical about the latest proposal being floated in Washington to raise the nation's debt ceiling and cut federal spending. Their shared outlook on the current debt-ceiling standoff ends there.

He is young and without experience in elected office, but family connections in the film business and national politics have helped Dan Roberti get noticed as the early fund-raising leader among Democrats seeking the open seat in 5th Congressional District.

The challenge now for Roberti, whose competition includes the speaker of the state House of Representatives, is to establish an identity as a candidate with more than deep pockets and a well-connected father.

TORRINGTON--Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said Tuesday he hopes to negotiate a new tentative concession agreement with state employees in 24 or 48 hours, but his plan for mass layoffs will continue in case a new deal is not reached and ratified.

"We don't have an approved agreement. We've been down this road. We will continue the process of notifications and laying people off, of moving forward as if there is no agreement in place," Malloy said.