Exciting week! The newly elected statewide officers and members of the 2019-2020 General Assembly have been sworn-in, are seated and already taking actions this week.

 

Governor Lamont definitely set a new tone with his swearing in by inviting several former governors to attend. Certainly all expected former Governor Dannel Malloy to attend, but also former Governors Jodi Rell and Lowell Weicker were seated in the front row to welcome the new member of the "Governor's Club". None of them were expected to, nor did they, attend the gala that night, but their presence was a welcome beginning to a session where the message "we all have to get along" was felt throughout the day.

 

While addressing the joint session of the legislature, Governor Lamont came across as sincere, willing to roll up his sleeves to really dig the state out and fix some lingering structural concerns, but no other word was repeated as often as GROWTH. This indicates that even if we fix things that are troubling the state, Connecticut cannot thrive unless this legislature and this Governor are committed to grow the economy, grow the number of students who stay in the state and grow the number of residents who are able to work and hold paying jobs. Most of all, we need to grow the confidence in everyone that CT is serious about regaining its enviable status as the New England state that can offer a high quality standard of living, high quality workforce and high quality of culture and social opportunities that many have experienced and enjoyed over the decades.

 

The next official actions expected by this Governor is the completion of his Cabinet. So far, 18 people have been announced, and there remains about 10 to 15 high level appointments that are still in the works. Some are commissioners, while others are heads of a variety of quasi-state agencies like PURA (Public Utility Regulatory Agency), CRDA (Capitol Region Development Authority) and a new president of the University of Connecticut - to point out just a few - who are waiting to see if the incumbent will remain on or if there will be a new face at the helm of the agency.

 

The Inaugural Gala wrapped up Opening Day and the word the next day was "success." The CT Convention Center shone under the white and blue cocktails lights, the food stations featuring well-known Hartford-area restaurants and the open seating and giant networking atmosphere was different than past years, and once everyone got used to it, the flow was embraced by all.

 

My favorite part of the evening is always the processional, with the traditional introduction of the statewide elected officials, their families and the legislative leaders and their families. The Foot Guard and the CT National Guard band did not disappoint. With CT's history, it's great to see that tradition continue.

 

On Thursday, the work began. Governor Lamont and his inner office were busy at work, and the legislative committees held organizational meetings to kick off the two-year session. Next week, it's rock and roll time.

 

As I was in the Senate watching the "goings on," I have to say the thought of a Senate under one team of leaders makes me - as a lobbyist - hope that some of that working together "forced" behavior from the past two years will continue. There's so much to do, and despite the Democrats having a large majority and a much more progressive membership, CT is still CT. If growth is what the government is looking for, and I know the business community feels the same, then working together to develop a workable vision - and then to manage expectations for a march towards growth and prosperity - will be essential.

 

In the House, the numbers of Democrats and Republicans really won't be what to watch for. It's the numbers in the Progressive Caucus, the Moderate Caucus, the Rural Caucus, the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus, the Animal Welfare Caucus, the Environmental Caucus and the urban delegations that all eyes should be on. That might not even be all of them, but you get the picture. For Speaker Aresimowicz and Majority Leader Ritter, their leadership skills will be tested as they attempt to work around all the pitfalls within the large and vocal Democratic caucus and deliver on the Governor's priorities, while staying focused on actions of the mostly progressive Senate. Not sure anyone envies those two fellas, at least not in this current session.

 

All eyes are on CT and all hopes and promises are looking to see a turnaround year. Here we go 2019! It's the end of a decade and the kickoff for a new decade ahead.