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BRIDGEPORT -- Gov. Dannel P. Malloy told about 100 business men and women on Tuesday the contentiouseducation reform bill that he signed later that day was part of anoverall plan to build a better economy. Malloy was the Bridgeport Regional Business Council 's keynote speaker at its annual Capitol Breakfast, held at the Holiday Inn and Conference Center . "It's nice to hear all those things," Malloy said of thecomplimentary introductory remarks by Bridgeport Mayor Bill Finch and People's United Financial Inc. Chief Executive Officer and Chairman Jack Barnes . "Usually those kinds of things are said after you're dead." Malloy provided a recap of the last two regular legislativesessions and the special sessions on job creation as a singleeffort to put the state back on the path to success. Last year, the Legislature and Malloy closed a $3.6 billion budgetgap by cutting spending, raising taxes and gaining concessions fromunionized state workers. Then lawmakers passed the Jobs Act, whichprovided about $620 million in incentives and programs forbusinesses, including subsidies for hiring. And this year, the General Assembly and Malloy crafted an educational reform bill that will cost about$100 million to try to close the achievement gap in the 25worst-performing districts. It includes expansion of pre-schoolprograms and a new evaluation process for teachers. The governor said education reform is an economic issue as much asa social one and justified some private sector funding for jobs onthe problems in education. "One of the reasons that we decide to subsidize the hiring ofpeople was that I recognize we've done a terrible job educating ourwork force," Malloy said of tax benefits based on new hires. The governor noted the job market has showed modest improvement,and he expects the state to finish this year with a gain of atleast 13,000 jobs. Malloy held up education as a symbol of a larger apathy that'sgripped the state and allowed it to under-perform others in jobcreation. Connecticut is routinely ranked last among states in job creation,and Malloy said part of the problem is the failure rate in majormetropolitan districts where 40 to 50 percent of students don'tgraduate from high school. He said business owners have told himthey can't find qualified workers -- those with mathematicalability -- especially for precision manufacturing jobs. But Malloy said it's not all bad. "One of the things about Connecticut, we knew we were messing up.We got down on ourselves," he said. "But if you want to build asubmarine, you build it here. If you want to build the best engine,you build it in East Hartford. If you want to build the world'sbest military helicopter, you build it in Stratford." Malloy received a standing ovation and loud applause from thebusiness crowd, which included many Republicans. Guy Hatfield, owner of Fairfield-based Hatfield Insurance Agency Inc., gave the governor high marks for his speech and effortsgoing into his second year. "I'm a Republican, and I voted for him," he said. But Hatfield said make no mistake, there are difficulties ahead. "All states are in trouble," he said. "Thirty eight are in thered." But he said if there's a leader to get Connecticut out of it, it'sMalloy. Stratford Mayor John Harkins , a veteran Republican in the Legislature, agreed tough times arestill with us, but he credited the governor for working hard,getting the Sunday liquor sales ban lifted and helping to aidbreweries in the state. Stratford has one starting up. "He survived the session," Harkins said. "It's not an easy thing tobe in the public sector right now." Many people echoed Paul Timpanelli , chief executive and president of the BRBC, in describing Malloyas "bold and decisive," after the speech. Timpanelli said: "He's adifferent kind of Democrat." rvarnon@ctpost.com; or get updates at twitter.com/financialmines. We are high quality suppliers, our products such as LED Lights For Bicycles Manufacturer , Led Keychain Lights for oversee buyer. To know more, please visits Mining Cap Lamp.
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