State Senate Minority Leader John McKinney, R-Fairfield, has announced an eight-town “Fiscal Responsibility Tour” to review Gov. Malloy’s budget proposal and collect public comment. “Over the next two months, there will be a vigorous debate about the direction of our state and particularly its fiscal management,” McKinney said in a statement today. “I want public input to be at the center of this debate. That’s why I’m hosting this tour.” McKinney has expressed interest in running for governor next year but will make an official announcement later in the spring. Over the next four weeks he will stop in Enfield, Bristol, Danbury, Greenwich, Manchester, Stratford, Wallingford, and Westbrook, with the possibility for more stops.
At around the same time this afternoon, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced a community forum in Middletown on Wednesday will be the first of several town hall-style events “to discuss the state’s pressing issues face-to-face with state residents.” Seats will be free, on a first come, first served basis.
“We have a number of critically important issues facing the state, and I am eager for the opportunity to hear from residents about their concerns, so that we can move forward together,” Malloy said in a statement. “The last two years, I attended more than thirty events like this at venues across the state. I think being out there, talking with people face-to-face so that we can have an open exchange and I can hear what is on their minds helps all of us in government be more effective at serving the people we represent.”
Wednesday’s forum in Middletown will be held at the City Hall at 245 deKoven Drive and will run from 7-8PM. Those who would like an opportunity to ask a question should arrive a little bit earlier to fill out the sign-up sheet. Additional dates and locations will be announced as they are scheduled.
McKinney’s will include brief summaries of the governor’s budget proposal before accepting questions from the general public. With him will be local GOP lawmakers. McKinney predicted that the budget that is eventually approved by the General Assembly will be different from what Malloy offered. “There are simply too many holes in the governor’s budget for it to gain legislative approval without significant changes. I want Connecticut residents to be heard as those changes are being considered by their elected representatives.”
DATES, TIMES AND LOCATIONS FOR STATEWIDE “FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY” TOUR
All Events Open to the Public
March 11 (Mon), 7-8:30pm
Enfield Town Hall Council Chambers
820 Enfield St., Enfield, CT 06082
March 14 (Thur) 7-8:30pm
Stratford, Wooster Middle School Auditorium
150 Lincoln St., Stratford, CT 06614
March 18 (Mon) 7-8:30pm
Wallingford Public Library Community Room
200 North Main St., Wallingford, CT 06492
March 21 (Thur) 7-8:30pm
Bristol City Hall Council Chambers
111 North Main St., Bristol, CT 06010
March 27 (Wed) 6-7:30pm
Greenwich Senior Center
299 Greenwich Ave., Greenwich, CT 06830
April 1 (Mon) 7-8:30pm
Manchester Town Hall
41 Center St., Manchester, CT 06040
April 8 (Mon) 7-8:30pm
Danbury, Broadview Middle School Auditorium
72 Hospital Ave., Danbury, CT 06810
April 9 (Tue) 7-8:30pm
Westbrook Public Library
61 Goodspeed Dr., Westbrook, CT 06498
For more information about the Fiscal Responsibility Tour, please contact Peggy Deschenes, Connecticut Senate Republicans, (860) 240 8884.