On Jan. 5, the Jodi Rell era ends and Dan Malloy will receive the oath of office as Connecticut’s first elected Democratic governor since 1986. Malloy has announced several impressive appointments the past few weeks. He will govern with a Democratic majority in the legislature trying to close what state bean counters say is a $3 billion budget deficit. Look for a combination of tax hikes, budget cuts and state employee concessions. What’s Rell’s legacy? I suffer from an extreme case of guber myopia when it comes to Rell. She looks good, sounds good, but when you scratch the surface what’s there? Of course, had she been a friend to the state’s largest city I’d be calling her the greatest thing since Blue Point oysters.
For Bridgeport, its residents and OIB friends, 2011 will be an intriguing year. We have a new governor whose Bridgeport support was key to his election, an incumbent Mayor Bill Finch who supported Malloy’s primary opponent Ned Lamont before backing Malloy in the general election, Finch’s potential chief reelection adversary State Rep. Chris Caruso who supported Malloy in the primary over Lamont. If the Big Wave runs for mayor in 2011 it will be a fun contest for political junkies like me. Meanwhile, Malloy is gearing up for his inaugural. Check out the tentative Jan. 5 inaugural plans, courtesy of Bridgeport native Colleen Flanagan, Malloy’s press flack.
10:00 a.m.: Lieutenant-Governor Nancy Wyman takes the oath of office inside the Senate Chamber. Governor-Elect Malloy will administer the oath of office to Lieutenant Governor-Elect Wyman.
1:00 p.m.: Inaugural Parade begins at the Arch, goes down Trinity Street, Capitol Avenue and ends in front of the Armory.
2:00 p.m.: Governor-Elect Dan Malloy takes the oath of office inside the Armory. Gerald Fox, Jr., Probate Judge of Stamford, will administer the oath of office to Governor-Elect Malloy.
3:00 p.m.: Governor Malloy, Lieutenant Governor Wyman, family, Constitutional Officers walk outside to receive the traditional Ruffles & Flourishes, 19-gun salute, and fly-over.
3:30 p.m.: Governor Malloy addresses a joint session of the Connecticut General Assembly.
7:30 p.m.: Governor Malloy and Lieutenant Governor Wyman attend the Inaugural Ball at the Connecticut Convention Center.
WHAT??? No Lennie Bias for MJ Foster??? (Full disclosure—Len Bias was a great basketball player who snorted himself to the big playground in the sky. He has nothing to do with our Lennie’s Bias or mancrush on the Monstrous Wave.)
Malloy has made some very good appointments but at what cost to the state in pension dollars? Work 10, 15 or 20 years at a part-time job with a 2% per annum pension for a $30k or $40k job. Get a cabinet position at $150k for the three or four years as a Golden Handshake. Meanwhile the taxpayers get a Golden Shower.
So long Betty Crocker who buttered us up with a bunch of lard.