[seymourct]

Hartford Courant paper says with Christie out as of Jan., Malloy is now least popular governor in office. I’m not surprised.

Morning Consult: Malloy Is Least Popular Governor Still In Office - Hartford Courant

[BPt111]

Originally Posted by seymourct

Hartford Courant paper says with Christie out as of Jan., Malloy is now least popular governor in office. I’m not surprised.

Morning Consult: Malloy Is Least Popular Governor Still In Office - Hartford Courant

10 more months Connecticut can be breathe bit better we don’t need Malloy 2.0, Andrew Como, Christie. Mass government doing better than CT

[BobNJ1960]

Originally Posted by seymourct

Hartford Courant paper says with Christie out as of Jan., Malloy is now least popular governor in office. I’m not surprised.

Morning Consult: Malloy Is Least Popular Governor Still In Office - Hartford Courant

A goal reached..finally.

[wetnewspaper]

I think Malloy has been a good governor, and will be remembered as a forward-looking leader who looked to solve the complex issues facing the state.

CT is indeed facing a major fiscal crisis, basically, because the legislature decided not to fund the state pension fund every year (for a looonnnggg time). This future payment scheme was shortsighted, irresponsible, and unforgivable. The legislature and the governors continuously said: "we'll pay for it later". Now Governor Malloy is trying to coax the state unions out of some benefits to save the state from the fiscal cliff.

I think you have to give kudos to Malloy for dealing with the unions and squaring with the states residents about the fiscal challenges state government faces. Malloy is unpopular, not only because he is blamed for a fiscal crisis that was brewing for over 50 years, but because he faces hard truths, very publicly. He's had to raise taxes. He's had to cut spending. Not many may know, but Malloy has actually reduced the number of CT government agencies from 81 to 57.

Despite the current fiscal crisis, most economists suggest that electing to not invest public money in infrastructure and other important state programs could make a bad situation worse. Economic growth needs to happen-progress must be propelled forward with a helping hand from the state. Accordingly, Malloy has rightly focused on improving CT's cities and it's transportation infrastructure, something I think the state will thank him later for.

Malloy has recognized that Connecticut has to invest in its cities, as the current suburban model just doesn't work anymore.

For context: In the 70s and 80s, deindustrialization transformed Connecticut's cities into rust belt blights, as the middle class moved to the monied burbs and commuted to work on overwhelmed roadways. There was no healthy development of urban cores, and transportation was via car, not rail or bus centered. Suburban office parks popped up. The 90s were booming. But this boom came to an end. This suburban model began a slow downward spiral in the mid to late 2000s. The moderate, country club Republicanism is no longer appropriate for this fading version of CT.

Malloy will be praised by historians for adjusting to this shift, from suburban to urban, from cars to public transport.

Cities and urban areas all around the U.S are thriving as folks are moving away from the suburbs in favor of walkable neighborhoods with access to cultural amenities. CT was SLOW in recognizing this trend. New Haven, with its recent construction boom and emerging bio-tech industry, serves as both the front-runner in the race for quality urban communities in CT.

Continued investment in cities will be worth it in the long run, and Malloy has been on board.

Malloy has not only looked into CT's future through an urban lens, but has invested smartly in public transportation. For example, he championed a busway connecting New Britain to Hartford- the so-called CT fastrak. Soon, the New Haven/Hartford/Springfield commuter rail will be up and running. This is progress-this is "Transit Oriented Development", a highly effective mode of economic development that has data to back it up.

Lastly, Malloy's "second chance society", a series of criminal justice reforms, has set CT on a healthy path forward in the arena of law and order. Malloy has reformed the juvenile justice system, de-penalized minor drug offenses, pushed for stricter gun control laws while still respecting the 2nd amendment, fixed the unfair bail system, and legalized medical marijuana. Crime is at a 48 year low. The system runs on fairness, mercy, and individual responsibility.

I'd suggest that we all avoid bumper-sticker slogans, morning radio sound bites, and partisan attack lines when critiquing Malloy. There can be a substantial case made against Malloy- but not because he stutters or he's a Democrat.

Overall, I think Malloy will be remembered fondly. He's had to raise taxes and cut spending (not popular, but necessary), all while making important reforms and investing smartly in the future.

[BobNJ1960]

Amazing thing is Malloy's positive rating is just 2/3rd that of Trumps, in Ct.

Going away like Jimmy Carter, reeking of failure.