There was a 13% increase in Connecticut’s unhoused population from 2023 to 2024. That’s according to an annual report by the state.

Connecticut is seeing decreases in housing availability, the price of rent skyrocketing, and more.

Today on the Wheelhouse, proposals state lawmakers are considering to make more affordable housing a reality in Connecticut.

Plus, Congressman John Larson has gone viral. Larson stops by the Wheelhouse to discuss his impassioned demand for transparency from DOGE leader Elon Musk over the future of Social Security.

GUESTS:
Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.), Connecticut’s first congressional district
Alex Putterman, Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
Abby Brone, Housing reporter, Connecticut Public
Ginny Monk, Children's issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror

There was a 13% increase in Connecticut&rsquo;s unhoused population from 2023 to 2024. That&rsquo;s according to <a href="https://www.ctbos.org/wp-content/uploads/PIT-2024-Nutmeg-Final-Report_2024.07.30.pdf">an annual report by the state</a>.
Connecticut is seeing decreases in housing availability, the price of rent skyrocketing, and more.
Today on the Wheelhouse, proposals state lawmakers are considering to make more affordable housing a reality in Connecticut.
Plus, Congressman John Larson has gone <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0MJDxvPL-EI">viral</a>. Larson stops by the Wheelhouse to discuss his impassioned demand for transparency from DOGE leader Elon Musk over the future of Social Security.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://larson.house.gov/">Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.)</a>, Connecticut&rsquo;s first congressional district</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/alex-putterman/">Alex Putterman</a>, Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/abby-brone">Abby Brone</a>, Housing reporter, Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/gmonk/">Ginny Monk,</a> Children's issues and housing reporter, Connecticut Mirror</li>
</ul>

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.

The Wheelhouse

Connecticut’s housing crisis stretches into 2025. Plus, Congressman John Larson on his viral speech calling out Elon Musk

The state budget may be headed for a “world of pain.” That’s according to our friends at the Connecticut Mirror.

State lawmakers are tasked with funding their priorities while anticipating cuts coming from the federal government.

Medicaid costs are one line item the state may have to adjust on the fly.

Today on the Wheelhouse, how the state could step in to support vulnerable communities if the federal government pulls their support for Medicaid.

GUESTS:
Rep. Vincent Candelora, State House Republican leader, North Branford
Sean Scanlon, Comptroller, State of Connecticut
Katy Golvala, Health reporter, CT Mirror
Keith Phaneuf, State budget reporter, CT Mirror 

The state budget may be headed for a &ldquo;<a href="https://ctmirror.org/2025/03/06/ct-federal-cuts-medicaid/">world of pain</a>.&rdquo; That&rsquo;s according to our friends at the Connecticut Mirror.
State lawmakers are tasked with funding their priorities while anticipating cuts coming from the federal government.
Medicaid costs are one line item the state may have to adjust on the fly.
Today on the Wheelhouse, how the state could step in to support vulnerable communities if the federal government pulls their support for Medicaid.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.cthousegop.com/Candelora/">Rep. Vincent Candelora</a>, State House Republican leader, North Branford</li>
<li><a href="https://osc.ct.gov/about/">Sean Scanlon</a>, Comptroller, State of Connecticut</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/kgolvala/">Katy Golvala</a>, Health reporter, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/kphaneuf/">Keith Phaneuf</a>, State budget reporter, CT Mirror&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The future of Medicaid: rather than increases, cuts may be coming

Thousands of U.S. Government employees could be out of a job, according to a “best guess” from a Wells Fargo economist.

This has big-time ramifications for Connecticut…and the roughly 19,000 federal workers living here.

Many recently laid off people are speaking out, including a Marine Corps veteran from Vernon named Gabriel D’Alatri.

This hour, how federal workers who’ve been let go are processing massive job cuts as government agencies are dismantled.

GUESTS:
Lisa Hagen, Federal policy reporter, CT Mirror and CT Public
Eddy Martinez, General assignment reporter, Connecticut Public
Mark Zaretsky, Reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media
Jory Heckman, Reporter, Federal News Network

Thousands of U.S. Government employees could be out of a job, according to a &ldquo;best guess&rdquo; from a&nbsp;<a href="https://www.usnews.com/news/economy/articles/2025-03-05/federal-worker-firings-could-imperil-the-economy-but-the-damage-is-yet-to-be-seen-in-the-data">Wells Fargo economist</a>.
This has big-time ramifications for Connecticut&hellip;and the roughly 19,000 federal workers living here.
Many recently laid off people are speaking out,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/news/2025-03-04/trump-speech-address-federal-workers-ct">including a Marine Corps veteran from Vernon</a>&nbsp;named Gabriel D&rsquo;Alatri.
This hour, how federal workers who&rsquo;ve been let go are processing massive job cuts as government agencies are dismantled.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/lisa-hagen-1">Lisa Hagen</a>, Federal policy reporter,&nbsp;CT Mirror and CT Public</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/people/eddy-martinez">Eddy Martinez</a>, General assignment reporter,&nbsp;Connecticut Public</li>
<li><a href="https://www.nhregister.com/author/mark-zaretsky/">Mark Zaretsky</a>, Reporter,&nbsp;Hearst Connecticut Media</li>
<li><a href="https://federalnewsnetwork.com/author/jory-heckman/">Jory Heckman</a>, Reporter,&nbsp;Federal News Network</li>
</ul>

What the Trump administration’s mass layoffs mean for federal workers in Connecticut

Even as state officials work to reform criminal justice in Connecticut, complaints roll in regarding the treatment of incarcerated individuals. Also, many people are still awaiting automatic erasure of their criminal convictions. What’s the hold up? Finally, data that could shed light on racial disparities in prosecution rates, isn’t being collected, according to Hearst Connecticut Media.

This hour, what’s Connecticut’s level of commitment to reforming its criminal justice system? What could lawmakers do in 2025 to fix these issues?

Plus, an update on the state’s budget in the midst of this year’s legislative session.

GUESTS:
Jacqueline Rabe Thomas, Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media 
Mark Pazniokas, Capitol bureau chief, CT Mirror
Mercy Quaye, Founder and President at The Narrative Project; Columnist for CT Mirror and Editor of CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board
Susan Raff, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3

Even as state officials work to reform criminal justice in Connecticut, complaints roll in regarding the<a href="https://ctmirror.org/2025/02/14/ct-inmate-death-hearing/"> treatment of incarcerated individuals</a>. Also, many people are still awaiting automatic erasure of their criminal convictions. What&rsquo;s the hold up? Finally, data that could shed light on racial disparities in prosecution rates,<a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/news/article/lamont-ct-criminal-justice-transparency-law-20136218.php"> isn&rsquo;t being collected</a>, according to Hearst Connecticut Media.
This hour, what&rsquo;s Connecticut&rsquo;s level of commitment to reforming its criminal justice system? What could lawmakers do in 2025 to fix these issues?
Plus, an update on the state&rsquo;s budget in the midst of this year&rsquo;s legislative session.
GUESTS:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/author/jacqueline-rabe-thomas/">Jacqueline Rabe Thomas</a>, Investigative reporter, Hearst Connecticut Media&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/mpazniokas/">Mark Pazniokas</a>, Capitol bureau chief, CT Mirror</li>
<li><a href="https://ctmirror.org/author/mquaye/">Mercy Quaye</a>, Founder and President at The Narrative Project; Columnist for CT Mirror and Editor of CT Mirror's Community Editorial Board</li>
<li><a href="https://www.wfsb.com/authors/Susan-Raff/">Susan Raff</a>, Chief political reporter, WFSB Eyewitness News Ch. 3</li>
</ul>

Connecticut’s housing crisis stretches into 2025. Plus, Congressman John Larson on his viral speech calling out Elon Musk

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