Connecticut’s Sun Dilemma: A Shot Clock on State Pensions?

What a twist in the world of Connecticut sports! Gov. Ned Lamont’s brainwave to use state pension funds to keep the Connecticut Sun from relocating has sparked quite the debate. The Connecticut Sun of the WNBA, a local favorite, is at the center of this storm, and the plot’s thicker than a New England clam chowder.

Earlier this month, Lamont tossed around the idea of dipping into the state’s pension fund to invest in the Sun. Now, this isn’t something you’ve seen in the sports playbooks before—it’s like attempting a full-court heave with your eyes closed. This suggestion, however, didn’t just roll off like a basketball hitting nothing but net.

Council 4 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees is not exactly cheering from the stands. They expressed their concern on Facebook, as reported by the CT Mirror, stating that this move wasn’t in their game plan. Simply put, they want those pension funds dribbling towards securing retirements, not basketball games.

“Their pension contributions are the foundation of a secure retirement,” they emphasized. Using that dough for a sports franchise is akin to gambling with retiree futures. Ouch. But hey, Gov. Lamont remains optimistic, likening the strategy to creative thinking. Creativity is appreciated; risking pension funds? That’s a different play altogether.

Meanwhile, Connecticut Treasurer Erick Russell, who’s got the fiduciary whistle, is open to the idea. But only if it benefits the pensioners. Well, no one’s betting against a wise investment. The pension fund indeed throws money into various portfolios, but professional sports teams? That’s a Hail Mary no state’s attempted.

Connecticut’s pension fund is truly a crucial lifeline. It supports state retirees by investing to earn dividends and profits. But handling it requires a steady hand at the till, not a gamble on buzzer-beaters.

Now, if Gov. Lamont does not move quickly, the Sun’s favorites might change jerseys. There are already three big league bids circling:

1. Steve Pagliuca: A minority owner of the Boston Celtics bids $325 million to bring the Sun to Boston. They’re eyeing a 2027 relocation.

2. Marc Lasry: The former Milwaukee Bucks owner wants to relocate the Sun to Hartford—full-time, for the same $325 million.

3. WNBA: Offering $250 million to hand the Sun to Houston Rockets owner Tilman Fertitta. The aim? Move the team to Houston and revive the Comets.

In the end, the Council 4 folks have a point. Their statement was a cry to refocus energy on overdue wage agreements. They insist retirees deserve a dignified sunset of their own. So, does Connecticut keep the Sun or let the ball bounce elsewhere?

Stay tuned, folks. This game isn’t over until the final whistle blows.

Eric Canha-Imagn Images
Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images

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By Dr. Maria Gnarra Buethe

Contributing Columnist

Ah, the Southern California sun. Kids here practically live outdoors—at the park, pool, or beach. Yet, while we’re busy tossing them swim goggles and life jackets, something crucial slips our minds: sun protection.

The big deal about sunburn

You’d think with all this sun we’d be pros at handling it, right? But here’s the kicker: skin cancer is the most common cancer in the U.S. The American Academy of Dermatology tells us that just one blistering sunburn as a kid can nearly double the lifetime risk of melanoma. Yikes.

Sunscreen: your trusty sidekick

Let’s chat sunscreen. Is it safe for the kiddos? You bet. When used as directed, it’s both safe and effective. If you’ve got babies under six months, go for shade and clothing. For the older crowd, pick a broad-spectrum, water-resistant sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or more. Mineral sunscreens with zinc oxide or titanium dioxide work wonders, especially for sensitive skin.

Apply, reapply, repeat

Sunscreen has its own rhythm. Slather it on generously 15 to 30 minutes before the sun makes its debut. Don’t skip those sneaky spots—the ears, scalp, back of the neck, and feet. Keep reapplying every two hours, or more often if your little one is splashing around.

Dress them right

Sure, sunscreen is key, but sun-protective clothing? That’s your first defense. Look for swim shirts with UPF 50+. Pair them with wide-brimmed hats and sunglasses blocking 100% UV rays. Pro tip: if light peeks through the fabric, UV rays do too.

Schedule smarts: dodge peak UV hours

Timing is everything. Those UV rays are fierce between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. If you’re out during those hours, find cover under a shady tree or umbrella—and don’t forget the stroller canopy.

Set the example

Kids mimic what they see. Make sun safety a family affair. Apply sunscreen together, sport those hats, and chat about the “why” behind skin protection. These habits are like little investments paying off big in the long run.

It’s a challenge, sure, but believe me, as a pediatric dermatologist and mom of three, I get it. Every sun hat, shirt, and dab of sunscreen is a step toward a healthier future.

For more insights on keeping those precious skins safe, check out Children’s Hospital of Orange County Dermatology for tips and resources.

Dr. Maria Gnarra Buethe—the name’s a mouthful, I know—is your friendly neighborhood double-board-certified dermatologist. She’s the big cheese over at the new dermatology division at Children’s Hospital of Orange County and heads pediatric dermatology at UC Irvine.

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The political drama swirling around State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis has taken another twist. Colorado elections big shots are digging into a campaign finance complaint against her, sparked by The Colorado Sun’s juicy exposé.

Apparently, the spotlight turned on the Longmont Democrat after one Cory Gaines—a conservative player in this political chessboard—dropped a dime on her, suggesting she might’ve bent the campaign finance rules. The Colorado Secretary of State’s Office agrees there’s enough smoke to see if there’s fire. They reckon the allegations might hold water if proven true.

Now, Jaquez Lewis stands on the hot seat. She’s got until Monday to either dust off the alleged infractions or push back against them. The clock’s ticking.

State Sen. Sonya Jaquez Lewis gestures as she speaks before Colorado Gov. Jared Polis signed four gun control bills. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)

The Complaint

Gaines is blowing the whistle over what he calls Jaquez Lewis’ misuse of campaign cash. According to him, she splashed campaign dough on personal whimsies, sent forbidden contributions to a rival candidate, and, oh boy, missed jotting down some financial dealings. He claims his intel came straight outta a Colorado Sun story about Jaquez Lewis’ Capitol antics—allegedly putting her aides through the grind like domestic workers.

Allegations and Reports

Come December, The Sun started airing the dirty laundry. They reported how Jaquez Lewis’ former aides cried foul over some work shenanigans. Back in November, that’s when they said she had them doing odd jobs, like backyard pruners and party bartenders. The dollar bills supposedly came from her campaign coffers, which, FYI, ain’t cool by Colorado law. Here’s a deeper dive on campaign finance rules.

But wait, it gets spicier. The grapevine says she might’ve finanaced door-knocking missions for an Adams County commissioner candidate. The wrench in the works? This commissioner was butting heads against a rival’s spouse within the Dem camp. Nonetheless, the buzz at the time was quiet, as those transactions didn’t pop up on the state’s TRACER system.

After the cat was out of the bag, Jaquez Lewis quickly took to fixing her finance sheets, checking the “Sonya For Colorado” account for discrepancies. Yet, she claims it was all just a mix-up with her campaign numbers.

The Fallout

Despite her attempts to correct the record, Jaquez Lewis isn’t out of the woods yet. Colorado rules are tight: no using campaign cash for personal kicks or doling it out to other politicos’ campaigns, be it direct or in-kind.

In a statement released Thursday, the senator denied any hanky-panky. She brushed off the allegations, saying the bartending gig was for a campaign shindig. She’s sticking to her story about mixing up checkbooks—claiming she planned the aide’s payment from her leadership committee. It’s an honest-to-God mistake, according to her narrative.

Jaquez Lewis also said her Morrison Avenue fundraiser’s scoop, snagging two Benjamins from some Jamestown local, was all by the book. Meanwhile, folks at her leadership committee, “Sonya for Dems,” counted 11 donations that day. Her defense? “I have substantially complied with Colorado campaign law.” According to her, there was never any attempt to game the system.

Still, trouble shadows her steps. Legislative aides? Nah, she ain’t got any state-paid helpers now; she’s in the doghouse after multiple complaints. Stripped of committee gigs and facing an ethics probe, she might even get the boot from the legislature altogether. And it’s an awkward situation with her colleagues, especially since she’s been all about worker rights in her legislative pursuits.

Even so, Jaquez Lewis is no newbie to the political scene. She made her way into the legislature back in 2018. By 2020, she scored a spot in the Senate, and recently rolled into another term, winning Senate District 17 by a comfortable margin.

Read the full source article here.

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