Hartford Much Stronger Today Than Before: Mayor

Press release from the Hartford County Government:

HARTFORD, CT — In his last such speech, Harford Mayor Luke Bronin said, simply, that Hartford is much stronger today than it has been in recent years.

Monday, Bronin, upon invitation from the Hartford Court of Common Council, delivered his State of the City address from City Council chambers.

The address was his final as mayor of Hartford and was centered around the proposed 2023-24 budget, the work underway to support Hartford’s recovery and progress and Bronin’s vision for Hartford in the remainder of his term and beyond.

“Tonight, I want to start where I usually end: the state of our city is strong,” Bronin said. “Its strength doesn’t come from the budget I’m going to talk about, or from this building. It doesn’t come from me as mayor or from any other elected leaders. Hartford is strong because the people of Hartford are strong.”

Bronin outlined his recommended budget, which was delivered to City Council earlier today:

“The budget I submitted today builds on that progress (of the last seven years),” Bronin stated. “It is balanced and responsible. It protects the ground we’ve gained, and it makes important new investments in our community. Every budget involves negotiation, but this budget reflects the priorities and aspirations that I have heard both from our community and from our city council and I urge the Council to support it.”

Bronin also described the city’s completed and ongoing work to support young people, small businesses, public safety, housing opportunity, arts and economic development.

“That’s not everything we’re doing, or even close,” said Bronin. “And the nature of our work is that it’s never done, and it’s never enough. But when you step back and take a look at everything we’re doing, I challenge you to show me a city in Connecticut or anywhere else that’s doing more.”

Bronin closed with a call to unity and an optimistic vision for Hartford’s future.

“Recognize that we can’t afford the old division between neighborhoods and downtown, South End and North End, because we’re tied together. Every single part of this city is full of extraordinary people. Kids as talented as any kids anywhere. Moms and dads as dedicated as any parents anywhere. Neighbors as caring to neighbors as any neighbors anywhere. Artists, musicians, dancers, athletes as gifted as any others anywhere. A city where you can do anything you want to do — including help shape the future of the city, if you love it."

A copy of Bronin’s State of the City Address, as prepared for delivery, is attached(PDF, 262KB). A livestream of the address is available at https://hpatv.org/, and a recording will be published afterwards.

This press release was produced by the Hartford County Government. The views expressed here are the author’s own.