Godfrey expects it will take time to get state back to normal

By Scott Benjamin

Bob Godfrey, the deputy speaker pro tempore of the state House of Representatives, says the "fallout is unprecedented" from the pandemic and "I don't think that we will know that we are back to normal until every grocery store is fully stocked with hand sanitizer and toilet paper."

Godfrey (D-110) of Danbury added that, "I don't think that we will see at least for a while after this is over, the kind of lifestyle that we have experienced in the 21st Century."

"And unfortunately I don't think I will immediately be shaking hands with people right after this is over," remarked the state representative.

People are out of work and hunkered down at home.

"There were more unemployment claims in five weeks than you typically would have in three years," said Godfrey, who was initially elected in 1988 in a district that largely encompasses downtown Danbury.

"It is not just that there is a large volume, but the Department of Labor doesn't have enough trained staff members to address it and some of its computers go back to the 1970s and are outdated," he declared.

Godfrey said he's heard that some of the area food banks are almost depleted.

He said since the start of the pandemic he and his staff aide, who also is assigned to other state representatives, have "had a larger volume of requests than you would see in any month of the year."

"Many of them need help with a state agency and through electronic communication, we've been able to help them," Godfrey said in a phone interview.

Since the start of the pandemic he has provided a daily e-mail report to constituents with pertinent information on the crisis.

Godfrey praised Gov. Ned Lamont (D-Greenwich) "for stepping up to the plate" and "consulting health care experts" as he has made decisions.

"He has worked well in a regional approach with other northeast governors," the state representative added. "You can't have one stated be open and then have people flocking across the border to dine at their restaurants."

Additionally, Godfrey said Lamont took the right course in putting money into the rainy day fund since taking office last year . The nearly $2.5 billion - which represents about 13 percent of operating expenses - can help offset the loss of tax revenue from the pandemic.

The state representative added, "He has kept the legislative leaders informed about what is happening."

Ken (The Hawk) Harrelson, the former Major League Baseball player who will be inducted into the broadcasters section of the Hall of Fame in July ( It has not been confirmed if he will wear a beautiful blazer and a cowboy hat during his induction speech of if he will also perform the Hawk Walk) said during one of the sport's labor disputes that whenever your business is dark you run the risk that the customers won't return.

Godfrey said that he shares that concern. However, he said the more immediate issue is "keeping small businesses from going out of business before the pandemic ceases."

He is critical of the allocation of funds from the $2.2 trillion federal stimulus plan that Republican President Donald Trump signed on March 27 and included allocations to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

Said Godfrey, "It was so badly managed. The big retail chains were getting a huge amount of money."

Additional funds were approved for the PPP by the U.S. Senate on April 21 and the U.S. House appeared poised to consider the package on April 23.

Godfrey said he expects that the General Assembly will in a special session in the late summer or early autumn to address the aftermath from the pandemic and consider bond appropriations.

He said the current limits on daily activity are disconcerting.

"I'm a politician," he said. "I like schmoozing with people. I'm usually out bringing people together. I miss that part of it."