Malloy's First Session Made Big Impression

At the close of the 2011 legislative session it appeared to be nuanced abandon in the Nutmeg State.

Connecticut had either just passed the most far-reaching, anti-business, left-leaning laws in its history. Or, it had enacted a rather progressive agenda that preserved programs while spreading the fiscal pain. Gov. Dannel P. Malloy was either a business-killing bully or the state’s savior. In short, it seemed to come down to party perspective. 

“This was a really unique and remarkable session,” said Sen. Edward Meyer, a Democrat representing Madison in the 12th Senate District. 

Each party’s respective websites reflected the divisive tone. “Malloy Gets What He Wants at Expense of Taxpayers and Their Employers,” according to the House Republicans website. “Historic,” according to the House Democrats. 

“This was a session of promises made and promises broken,” said House Republican Minority Leader Larry Cafero, who represents Norwalk in the 142nd House District. 

Yet the session can’t be so starkly summarized, said some legislators. 

“Outside [Hartford] the bills that attract big headlines, the legislature works very well together,” said state Sen. Bob Duff a Democrat representing Norwalk and Darien in the 25th Senate District. “It was a tough year. We’re there to do what we have to do, and we did.” 

Many of those marquee-worthy headlines revolved around the budget bill and a few pieces of social legislation. 

To close the $3.65 billion deficit, the Democrat majority passed a budget that includes $1.5 billion in new taxes. The General Assembly also voted to decriminalize small amounts of marijuana, approve mandatory paid sick days for private employers, and permit early release for prisoners. 

“We took office knowing a few things,” Cafero said. “The state was in bad shape–really bad shape. An enormous task faced us. The other thing we knew is we had a new governor, a Democrat for the first time in 24 years. That being said…I say we all sincerely wished this man the best. He’s a bright energetic man. We all had high hopes for a new day.”

Those hopes were dashed after the governor released his proposed budget in February and refused to consider the Republican alternative, Cafero said. 

But not everyone agrees the budget is bad. CTVoices, a Hartford-based child advocacy group lauded the budget and process. 

“And overall, the Governor’s commitment to a balanced approach to this revenue problem that included new revenues meant that most critical services for children and families were preserved,” said Mike Sullivan communications director for CTVoices. “In many ways, preserving what we have and avoiding damage were incredibly important accomplishments of the session.” 

In fact, the General Assembly passed several pieces of legislation with widespread support. 

Most lawmakers supported the $864 million UConn Health Center, the new airport authority, and the state’s first energy bill in decades.  Both parties also gave the Jobs Roundtable and the program high marks.

“We had the most productive jobs and economy session that I’ve ever had,” said Meyer who has served in the Connecticut General Assembly for seven years. 

Still some legislators wondered whether the land of steady habits had gone of its rocker. 

“Most of Fairfield County tends to be fiscally conservative. But the Hartford delegation tends to be more liberal,” said state Rep. Terrie Wood a Republican representing Norwalk in the 141st House District. “They are socialists – they want to cover everything for everybody - and that too me is not democracy. Most people want common sense and that is lacking.” 

State Rep. Larry Miller a Republican representing Shelton and Stratford in the 122nd House District also took issue with the some legislation. 

“I was a little disappointed with some of the liberal bills we passed such as the transgender bill,” Miller said. “Only a week later a transgender person molested a kid in a bathroom in Stamford. The only thing we [Republicans] wanted was to keep transgenders out of bathrooms, shower rooms, and lockers.” 

For the Connecticut Business and Industry Association common sense decamped when the paid sick leave bill was passed. To CBIA the mandate screams at businesses to stay away. 

Although Duff voted against the paid sick leave bill, he said he isn’t sure what would have brought CBIA to the table as they appeared to oppose everything and see the glass as half empty. 

Moreover, many large corporations supported the budget including Aetna, ATT and Hartford, Duff said. 

“They understand we had to stabilize the state for the long term, not just the short term,” Duff said. 

As legislators report back to their districts for the meet and greet season, a question mark hangs over the union concession deal. The Administration said it would save $700 million in FY 2012 and $900 million in FY 2013. 

The Office of Fiscal Analysis hasn’t yet confirmed the savings. Because the budget hinges on those savings the GOP, and some Democrats, wanted the deal certified before signing off on the bill. 

State Rep. Paul Davis a Democrat representing Milford, Orange, and West Haven in the 117th House District voted against the budget and the budget implementer.

“I’m just not 100 percent certain that all the concessions will result in the desired savings,” Davis said. 

To get the savings, Malloy reached a deal with the unions that a four-year no-layoff guarantee regardless of the economy, no less than a 9.3 percent pay raise during the next five years, and continued longevity payments.

“It seems that with 9.1% unemployment and 119,000 Connecticut job losses – it is much better to be a government worker than to live in the risky world of private enterprise and free markets where you indeed have to “share the pain,” said state Sen. Toni Boucher a Republican representing Bethel, Redding, Ridgefield, New Canaan, Weston, Westport, and Wilton in the 26th Senate District. 

Legislators are expected back this autumn to discuss jobs in part because the state’s unemployment rate remains at 9.1 percent unemployment. 

And so the session closed with a Quinnipiac University poll showing Malloy’s approval rate at 37 percent among voters statewide. Of those polled, 44 percent said they disapproved of Malloy’s performance. 

Sen. Andrew Maynard, a Democrat representing Groton and Stonington in the 18th Senate District, said previous administrations had “kicked the can down the road,” and that Malloy willingness to tackle some of the lingering problems made him unpopular. 

“He’s paying some price for it at the polls,” Maynard said. “He’s not dodging anything, that’s for sure.” 

Much of this is because of the new taxes, and leads one party warning of a widespread voter grudge toward Malloy while the other party says voters will learn to admire the governor’s leadership style. 

“Those taxes didn’t just come from thin air,” said Maynard who supported some of the governor’s proposals but not all. “Our economy was in a free-fall.” 

“The last thing Malloy is is a bully,” Duff said. “He’s a guy who shows up every day. He has a vision for the state and he knows where he wants to go. He’s an activist, unlike his predecessor who was passive.” 

Miller couldn’t disagree more. 

“He’s a charming guy, witty and smart,” Miller said, “but it’s his way or the highway.” 

Maynard, who has served in the Connecticut General Assembly for five years, said the change in energy level from the previous governor to Malloy was palpable. 

“He’s a man who knows what he wants to achieve and keeps the momentum going,” he said.