Washington

Washington -– A compromise over visas for highly skilled workers has pleased many Connecticut companies –- and has angered labor unions.

The Senate Judiciary Committee agreed to allow the number of  highly skilled foreign workers admitted to the country each year to rise from 65,000 to 110,000, with the possibility of a further increase to 180,000, depending in part on unemployment levels.

This story was revised May 22 to include additional information on the timing of track inspections.

Washington -- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority inspected the tracks involved in Friday’s derailment two days before the collision that left dozens injured, the Federal Railroad Administration said Monday.

But a more rigorous federal inspection of the track had not been conducted in more than a year and a half. 

The Senate voted this week on a water resources bill Connecticut lawmakers hope will clear the way to fund dozens of projects in Connecticut, including the dredging of New Haven Harbor, 18 beach erosion projects along the coastline and hurricane barriers in Stamford, New London and Pawcatuck.

In a rare display of bipartisanship, the Water Resources Development Act was approved by an overwhelming margin of 83-14. Unlike past reauthorizations of the bill, the bill has no earmarks because it must adhere to Congress’ ban on special projects.