The state's desperation for new revenue is certainly fueling this year's push to legalize marijuana.But for many Democrats in the legislature, a larger goal is addressing racial injustices created by a crackdown on illegal drugs that has inordinately targeted non-whites.

A bill surviving a key vote this week ties legalization to the expungement of criminal records for those convicted of minor cannabis possesion. Now the debate shifts to whether taxes raised by legal sales should be specifically directed to urban communities most impacted by the War on Drugs.

Speaking of new revenue, Connecticut's wealthiest couple is contributing $100 million to help at-risk youth stay in school. But that too is creating a tug of war between cities and towns.

This week, we get into the weeds in these battles, as well as why Ned Lamont is backing off on some of his budget proposals, such as his bid to adjust cost-of-living increases for retired state employees.

And, could Hartford be in the running to host one of next year's presidential debates?

<p>The state's desperation for new revenue is certainly fueling this year's push to legalize marijuana.</p>
<div id="div-gpt-ad-medium_2" class="ad ad-medium" data-google-query-id="CJqK28baxeECFUgghwodHtUMzw">
<div id="google_ads_iframe_/132595048/wnprnews_medium_3_0__container__" style="border: 0pt none;">But for many Democrats in the legislature, a larger goal is <a href="https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Dan-Haar-Racial-justice-push-advances-marijuana-13751213.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">addressing racial injustices</a> created by a crackdown on illegal drugs that has inordinately targeted non-whites.</div>
</div>
<p>A bill <a href="https://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/20190408_judiciary_committee_approves_cannabis_legalization_bills/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">surviving a key vote</a> this week ties legalization to the expungement of criminal records for those convicted of minor cannabis possesion. Now the debate shifts to whether taxes raised by legal sales should be <a href="https://www.ctpost.com/politics/article/Hearst-exclusive-CT-Dems-want-pot-revenue-to-go-13752849.php" target="_blank" rel="noopener">specifically directed to urban communities</a> most impacted by the War on Drugs.</p>
<p>Speaking of new revenue, Connecticut's wealthiest couple is <a href="https://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/20190405_dalio_philanthropies_donates_100m_for_at-risk_youth_in_connecticut/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">contributing $100 million</a> to help at-risk youth stay in school. But that too is creating a <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2019/04/08/after-the-donation-the-100-million-question/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">tug of war between cities and towns</a>.</p>
<p>This week, we get into the weeds in these battles, as well as why Ned Lamont is <a href="https://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/20190410_lamont_holds_firm_on_teacher_pension_costs_backs_away_from/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">backing off on some of his budget proposals</a>, such as his bid to adjust cost-of-living increases for retired state employees.</p>
<p>And, could Hartford be in the running to host one of next year's presidential debates?</p>

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.

<p>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, <em>The Wheelhouse</em> 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.</p>

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

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