By Mark Pazniokas

www.ctmirror.org

New Britain – On a day when the state posted disappointing jobs numbers, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy said today he intends to ask the General Assembly next month to fund a successful private-sector program for the long-term unemployed and to ban help-wanted ads that discriminate against the jobless.

Malloy said the two measures, combined with expanding a program that offers economic incentives for employers to hire the jobless, are elements of a jobs package to be included in the budget he will deliver Feb. 5 as legislators open their 2014 session.

The first-term Democratic governor announced his initiatives at a state Department of Labor career center, the latest in a series of events by Malloy to preview election-year initiatives. He rebuffed efforts by reporters to press him on whether he will propose a tax cut.

“I think in the coming days I will be answering your questions on that point and others,” Malloy said.

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By Keith M. Phaneuf

www.ctmirror.org

Connecticut’s unemployment rate continues to drop – but so does the number of residents still looking for work.

The December jobless rate fell from 7.6 percent to 7.4 percent, the state Labor Department reported today. But Connecticut also lost 3,900 jobs during that month.

The unemployment rate reflects the number of unemployed people compared with the entire workforce – which includes those employed and those seeking work. So if the total seeking work declines, the unemployment rate can drop even though the state loses jobs.

“Connecticut’s payroll job counts appear to have been affected by bad winter weather around the time of the survey reference week,” said Andy Condon, director of the Labor Department’s Office of Research.

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The newest Westport coffee house, Java Coffee and Café, had its final “soft opening” day today before officially opening Tuesday at 44 Church Lane, just up the street from Spotted Horse, Guests were welcomed by founder and co-owner Todd Rippo. In addition to a variety of food and beverage offerings (beer and wine also will be available), the pop decor provides visual treats. Rippo describes the new café as “a coffee house boutique alternative to the big box coffee.” He opened his first Java restaurant in Sun Valley, Idaho in 1991 and now has five in that state. This is his first East Coast outing. Helen Klisser During for WestportNow.com

Despite temperatures in the 20s, Westport’s downtown stores were doing brisk business today.  (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Bob Eckman for WestportNow.com

The Connecticut Department of Labor said today it has determined that approximately 27,000 of the 250,000 tax forms mailed out to individuals who collected unemployment compensation payments in 2013 contain a printing error.

The Labor Department is required to report unemployment compensation payments of $10 or more on form UC-1099G. “Due to an error in the printing process, the forms contain the correct information on the top portion of the form, while the bottom half of the document contains information pertinent to another individual,” a news release said

Because the forms are printed in order of zip code, the agency is in the process of determining which towns are associated with the printing error so staff will be able to better identify those claimants potentially affected by the error, the department said.

Because the forms contain social security numbers, the agency will also contact claimants that received incorrect forms to offer credit protection, it said.

The 117-room Westport Inn has a new general manager -– Nora Gomez. Officials of Shelton-based New Castle Hotels & Resorts announced her appointment today.

Nora Gomez: previously managed Hampton Inn in Shelton. Contributed photo

Gomez previously was the assistant general manager of the Hampton Inn in Shelton, where she was part of the team that earned the brand’s prestigious Lighthouse Award in its first year and recently claimed Trip Advisor’s number one ranking in the market, an announcement said.

A 10-year veteran of the New Castle team, Gomez began her hospitality career as a front desk agent at the Hilton Garden Inn in Norwalk. She holds a degree in business administration from Norwalk Community College.

The announcement also said that on Feb. 1, the hotel will unveil the second location of Bistro B, a bistro and wine bar which will serve breakfast and dinner daily.

The new Java Coffee and Café opening next week at 44 Church Lane boasts a signature drink. Says founder and co-owner Todd Rippo: “It’s Java-Bowl-of-Soul—a mix of espresso, organic coffee, mixed with chocolate, whipped cream and ground cinnamon.”  He adds: “It’s so popular in our Idaho locations that our customers often have their photo taken while holding the drink.” (CLICK TO ENLARGE) Dave Matlow for WestportNow.com