Keith M. Phaneuf // CTMirror.org

Governor says state agencies are well-positioned to deliver services. Unions disagree.

Gubernatorial contender Bob Stefanowski and other Republicans insist Gov. Ned Lamont increased taxes by $900 million per year in his first budget — not a record-setter, but one of the largest in recent history.

Gov. Ned Lamont directed state agencies Friday to waive credit and debit card transaction fees for the fiscal year that begins July 1, a move that would save residents and businesses $6 million over the coming 12 months.

More than 4,400 state employees either have retired this calendar year or filed their written intention to step down before July 1.

Manchester Democrat, Sen. Steve Cassano, won’t force primary in 4th Senate District.

State Sen. Stephen T. Cassano of Manchester announced this weekend he will wrap a four-decade career in politics when his term ends next January, opting not to force a Democratic primary in the 4th Senate District this summer.

A new report from the legislature’s nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis found General Fund overtime spending of most state agencies went up $20.4 million, or about 11%, during the first three-quarters of this fiscal year, which began last July 1. Total overtime spending approached $207 million.

Connecticut’s diesel tax will increase by 9 cents per gallon on July 1 after a scheduled rate adjustment released Wednesday by the state’s tax office.

More than 90,000 Connecticut households filed for the state’s new child tax rebate in the program’s first week, Rep. Sean Scanlon, the Guilford Democrat who spearheaded the program in the legislature, announced Wednesday.