Senate Minority Leader John McKinney (’14 run for governor?) and Gov. Malloy announce road shows about budget and stuff

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.