Westport

Connecticut is often ranked low in terms of its business environment, but according to a new study from Yankee Institute, some towns manage to stand out from the rest.

Faced with mounting retiree healthcare costs, Connecticut towns are making changes to get out of the healthcare business altogether. Matt Gallagan, town manager of South Windsor, said they no longer provide health benefits for retirees. Instead retirees can purchase a health plan through the town. South Windsor is one of several towns and cities that have moved away from providing long-term health benefits for their retirees.

Connecticut was already on the hook to offer $115 million of taxpayer money to Bridgewater Associates — the Westport hedge fund with $150 billion under management — if it would move from Westport to Stamford. The move may have fallen through, but Connecticut’s taxpayers are going to take it on the chin, nonetheless.  In ...