Connolly Wants To Establish State Economic Center

By Scott Benjamin

GLASTONBURY -- Democrat Sean Connolly says if he becomes Connecticut’s 89^th governor, he’ll boost a long dormant state economy by establishing an Economic Operations Center that will foster “start-ups” and “scale-ups.”

“Just as we have a State Emergency Operations Center when there is a weather-related emergency, we need to have the same laser focus on the economy,” said the former state Commissioner of Veterans Affairs.

Connolly, whose seven years of Army active duty included at stint during Operation Iraqi Freedom, says the Economic Operations Center would bring together leaders from business, industry, labor and the state Department of Economic and Community Development.

He said their mission would be to provide valuable expertise and services.

Connolly - an attorney who formerly served as a compliance officer at Francis Pratt and Amos Whitney, the aero-space defense manufacturer in East Hartford - said too many start-ups fail the first year when they lack an “incubator.” However, he added that 70 percent of those that have that assistance are successful.

The Hebron resident said Connecticut boasts 6,000 technology-related companies and if, on average, they could each add 10 employees, the state would gain 60,000 jobs.

Over the last decade, the Nutmeg State’s economic news has been brutal.

Governor Dannel Malloy’s (D-Stamford) 2010 campaign stump speech noted that Connecticut and Michigan were the only states with fewer jobs than in 1989. CT

Farmington Bank economist Donald Klepper-Smith has stated that Connecticut is the only New England state that hasn’t recaptured all of the jobs lost from the 2008 recession.

In fact, Connecticut has lost jobs in four of the last five months.

“We’re still in a crisis mode, Connolly said during an interview in Glastonbury.

“We need not just a short-term plan, but a long-term plan,” said the candidate, who grew up in East Hartford and took an active interest in state government when now-U.S. Rep. John Larson (D-1) of East Hartford sought the Democratic nomination for governor in 1994.

Connolly said part of that long-term plan would be to address a transportation infrastructure that has too often been neglected since former Gov. William O’Neill’s (D-East Haddam) program following the 1983 collapse of the Mianus River Bridge in Greenwich.

The 30-year, $100 billion program developed by an ad-hoc committee chaired by former state Rep. Cameron Staples (D-New Haven) in 2015 has not been acted on by the General Assembly and recently Malloy, who will not be seeking a third term this November, said the special transportation fund is headed toward deficit in about two years.

Connolly opposes raising transportation funds by increasing the 25-cent a gallon gasoline tax, which was lowered by 14 cents in two 7-cent steps nearly 20 years ago.

“Truckers say that they’re told not to buy gas in Connecticut because it is more expensive than other states,” the candidate said.

However, Connolly said that he’s willing to consider toll plazas with a technology system in which “the further you travel in Connecticut the more you pay.” He noted that he pays tolls in New York state and New Jersey whenever he travels to Fort Dix.

Due to traffic safety concerns, Connecticut removed its last toll plazas about 30 years ago.

Municipal officials near the Danbury Fair Mall and the Enfield Mall have said border tolls would deter business. The Greater Danbury Chamber of Commerce estimated in 2015 that 40 percent of the customers there are from out of state.

“I think there are some ways to address those concerns,” Connolly said regarding how the tolls are positioned and collected.

CT Mirror has reported that it would take about six years to install tolls. However, Connolly said even though the state would have to clear some hurdles, it could be a partial long-term solution that should be considered.

He said improvement in high-speed rail and inner-city transit could help attract more millennials to the state.

State Rep. Bob Godfrey (D-110) of Danbury, who has served since 1989, has said many younger workers want to be in cities near innovation hubs, where there are higher-paying jobs and public transportation.

The Boston Globe reported in 2016 that Connecticut’s suburban character has been to its detriment as the Route 128 corridor in Boston has become a massive innovation hub with multiple entertainment and transit options.

On another topic, Connolly applauded Malloy, who appointed him as the state commissioner of Veterans Affairs, for putting more money into the state’s beleaguered pension fund than any governor in the last generation. He indicated that, if elected, he would continue that policy.

However, despite Malloy’s efforts, CT News Junkie reported last year that the pension system was only 35.5 percent funded. Brookfield Democratic First Selectman Steve Dunn has said that will be one of the biggest challenges for the state over the coming years.

Connolly also said as governor he would hold regular outreach forums, as Malloy did early in his administration to get feedback on his shared sacrifice budget. The governor had sessions in 17 municipalities.

Connolly said he frequently met with groups around the state while he was a state commissioner.

He established an exploratory committee in October and says he believes that by the state Democratic convention in May he can raise the $250,000 in small contributions needed to qualify for the state Citizen Elections Program.

That would provide $1.4 million through a possible August primary.

The other Democrats who have announced, have exploratory committees or who are at least gauging possible support for a bid are: former financial services manager Dita Bhargava of Greenwich, Middletown Mayor Dan Drew, former West Hartford Mayor Jonathan Harris, Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz of Middletown, former U.S. Senate nominee Ned Lamont of Greenwich and Branford business leader Jacey Wyatt.

Connolly, who has been speaking to voters and Democratic town committees over the recent weeks, said “people are hurting and their frustrated” with Connecticut’s stagnant economy at a time when the national unemployment rate is the lowest it’s been in nearly 20 years and the stock market is booming.

He added, “I think I can address their concerns because I put service ahead of politics.”