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|governor=M. Jodi RellDannel Malloy|gparty=RepublicanDemocrat|senator2=Richard Blumenthal|s2party=Democrat |s2phone=(202) 224-2823|s2email=https://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/one_item_and_teasers/Blumenthal_Richard.htm Contact|senator1=Joe LiebermanChris Murphy|s1party=IndependentDemocrat|senator2s1phone=Christopher Dodd(202) 224-4041|s2partys1email=Democrathttp://www.murphy.senate.gov/contact/ Contact

Located in the northeastern region of the [[United States]], '''Connecticut''' borders [[New York]], [[Massachusetts]], and [[Rhode Island]]. It was the fifth state to enter into the union. Its capital is [[Hartford]].It is the richest state in the country,<ref>[http://www.statemaster.com/state/CT-connecticut Statemaster.com]</ref> and its populace is the third smartest.<ref>[http://www.morganquitno.com/edrank06.htm Morgan Quinto]</ref>

Towns Like all New England states, towns rather than counties are the basic unit of local government in Connecticut. The state abolished almost all forms of county government by 1960, unlike most statesretaining only the county sheriff system, and this was eliminated in 2000 with the introduction of the state marshal system.

==Notable The state Constitution of Connecticut, like all of the other 50 states, acknowledges God or our Creator or the ''Sovereign Ruler of the Universe''. It says::''The People from of Connecticut==acknowledging with gratitude, the good providence of God, in having permitted them to enjoy a free government; do, in order more effectually to define, secure, and perpetuate the liberties, rights and privileges which they have derived from their ancestors; hereby, after a careful consideration and revision, ordain and establish the following constitution and form of civil government.''

==History==Connecticut is known as ''The Constitution State'' since here is where the first written constitution was born. Connecticut's first constitution was called the [[Fundamental Orders of Connecticut]]. The ''Fundamental Orders'' are based on Christian principles. The state was founded by [[Thomas Hooker]] ==Notable residents== *Traitor [[Benedict Arnold]] , a traitor to the Continental Army in the Revolutionary War, was born in Norwich.

*Liberal activist [[Ralph Nader]] was born in NewstedWinsted, a section of the town of Winchester.

==Elected officials== ===Statewide officials===*Governor Blind and deaf activist and socialist [[Jodi Rell|M. Jodi RellHelen Keller]] (R)*Ltlived the last several decades of her life in Easton. Governor [[Michael Fedele]] (R)

===Congressional Elected officials=====Federal===*Senator Sen. [[Chris DoddMurphy]] (D) *Senator Sen. [[Joe LiebermanRichard Blumenthal]] (I/D)*Representative Rep. [[John Larson]] ([D), CT-1] *Representative Rep. [[Joseph Courtney|Joe Courtney]] ([D), CT-2] *Representative Rep. [[Rosa DeLauro]] ([D), CT-3] *Representative Rep. [[Christopher ShaysJim Himes|James Himes]] (R)[D, CT-4] *Representative Rep. [[Chris MurphyJahana Hayes]] ([D), CT-5]

==Legal Issues=State===*Governor [[Dannel Malloy]] (D)*Lt. Governor [[Nancy Wyman]] (D)*Secretary of State [[Denise Merrill]] (D)*State Comptroller [[Kevin Lembo]] (D)*Attorney General [[George Jepsen]] (D)*State Treasurer [[Denise Nappier]] (D)

Since ==Civil Unions and Gay Marriage== Starting in 2005, Connecticut offered [[civil union]]s, similar to with the same rights as [[same sex marriage]].<ref>[http://www.answers.com/topic/domestic-partnership-in-the-united-states Answers.com]</ref> In October of 2008, the Connecticut high court , by a 4-3 vote, ruled that even if civil unions were not enough to proctect have all of the same rights of gay couplesas traditional marriage, and legalized that the state was constitutionally obligated to allow [[same sex gay marriage|gay couples to marry]]. Connecticut is now was the third U.S. state to do so.<ref>[http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081010/ap_on_re_us/connecticut_same_sex_marriage Connecticut high court rules gay couples can marry]</ref> The people of Connecticut rejected an amendment to their constitution to remove gay marriage. For the three years that civil unions were in place for gay couples, on average 700 unions were requested per year.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,450648,00.html</ref>