Workplace: Paid sick leave mandate will push benefit costs higher SB-601 could be voted on soon in Senate; would hurt many businesses.

Energy: Final legislative approach still to be resolved Lawmakers working out differences between Senate, House proposals.

Health care: 'Pooling' bill dies; still time for real reform Efforts persist to put health care in hands of state government.

Courts: Superior Court considers needed rule change Would improve Connecticut's business climate.

Development: Committee confirms DECD nominee Gov. Rell's nominee to be the next commissioner of the state Department of Economic and Community Development, Joan McDonald, was confirmed by the legislature's Executive and Legislative Nominations Committee this week. The nomination will now move to the state Senate for a vote, the final step in the confirmation process.

Program notes: An Evening with Esty (Daniel Esty, director of the Yale Center for Environmental Law & Policy and co-author of "Green to Gold: How Smart Companies Use Environmental Strategy to Innovate, Create Value and Build Competitive Advantage," May 30, Hartford Selling Your Family Business, May 31, Hartford Connecticut XPO for Business.

Luncheon: Financing Opportunities for Small and Midsize Businesses, Thursday, June 7, The Connecticut Convention Center, Hartford