Dannel Malloy

Dannel Malloy
88th Governor of Connecticut
Incumbent
Assumed office January 5, 2011
Lieutenant	Nancy Wyman
Preceded by	Jodi Rell
29th Mayor of Stamford
In office December 1, 1995 – December 1, 2009
Preceded by	Stanley Esposito
Succeeded by	Michael Pavia
Personal details
Born	Dannel Patrick Malloy July 21, 1955 Stamford, Connecticut, U.S.
Political party	Democratic
Spouse(s)	Cathy Malloy
Alma mater	Boston College
Religion	Roman Catholicism[1]
Signature
Website	Gubernatorial website

Dannel Patrick "Dan" Malloy (born July 21, 1955) is an American politician who is the 88th and current Governor of Connecticut. A member of the Democratic Party, Malloy has served as Governor since 2011. He is currently the chair of the Democratic Governors Association.

Born in Stamford, Connecticut, Malloy is a graduate of Boston College Law School. Malloy began his career as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn, New York in 1980 before moving back to Stamford and entering private practice. He served on the Stamford board of finance from 1984 to 1994 before being elected Mayor of Stamford. He served four terms as mayor from December 1995 to December 2009.

Malloy ran unsuccessfully for Governor in 2006, losing the Democratic primary to John DeStefano, Jr., the Mayor of New Haven, who was defeated in the general election by incumbent Republican Governor Jodi Rell. He ran again in 2010 and comfortably won the primary, defeating Ned Lamont, the 2006 U.S. Senate nominee, by 57% to 43%.^[2][3] Rell did not run for re-election and Malloy faced former United States Ambassador to Ireland Thomas C. Foley in the general election, defeating him by fewer than 6,500 votes. Malloy was sworn in on January 5, 2011.

Malloy has gained prominent attention for controversial calls such as a boycott over Indiana's decision to deny LGBT persons equal rights against discrimination and the closure of state highways during hurricanes, as well as his progressive tax reform, stance on gun control, and Connecticut's acceptance of Syrian refugees.

Early life, education, and early career

Dannel Patrick Malloy was born and raised in Stamford, Connecticut, the seventh of seven sons and youngest of the eight children of Agnes Veronica (née Egan), a nurse, and William Francis Malloy.^[4][5] He is of Irish descent and was raised in the Catholic faith.^[6][7]

As a child, Malloy suffered from learning disabilities and difficulties with motor coordination. He did not learn to tie his shoes until the fifth grade. Malloy eventually was diagnosed with dyslexia^[8][9] and learned the skills necessary to succeed academically. He does not write or type, and rarely reads from notes in public, but developed an extraordinarily useful memory.^[10] He graduated magna cum laude from Boston College, where he met his wife Cathy, and later earned his law degree from Boston College Law School.^[11][12]

After passing the bar exam, Malloy served as an Assistant District Attorney in Brooklyn, New York from 1980 to 1984. During his tenure as a prosecutor, Malloy tried 23 felony cases, four of them homicides, and won 22 convictions. He was subsequently a partner in the Stamford law firm of Abate and Fox from 1984-95. He served on the Stamford Board of Finance from 1983 to 1994.^[13]

Mayor of Stamford

In 1995, he ran successfully for Mayor of Stamford, defeating two-term Republican incumbent Stanley Esposito. At the same time, voters approved a measure to extend the Mayor's term of office from two years to four, effective at the next election. He was re-elected in 1997, 2001 and 2005.^[14]

Malloy made crime reduction a priority during his tenure as mayor; Stamford saw a dramatic decrease in homicides under his administration. Stamford is currently ranked as the 9th safest city in the United States and 3rd safest in the Northeast region^[15] and for the past six years has ranked in the top 11 safest cities with populations of 100,000 or more, according to the FBI.^[16] Malloy wrote a blog known as "The Blog That Works", since deleted, until mid-January 2010.

Budgeting and districting of the various fire departments throughout the city has been unstable since 2007, due to an extended legal conflict between the volunteer departments and the Malloy administration, which sought to consolidate the fire departments against the advice and wishes of the volunteer fire departments.^[17]

Governor of Connecticut

Elections

2006

In 2004, Malloy was the first candidate to announce his bid for the Democratic Party nomination for Governor of Connecticut. In a major upset in Malloy’s favor, he received the convention endorsement of the Democratic Party on May 20, 2006 by one vote. Malloy lost in the primary election however against New Haven Mayor John DeStefano, Jr. on August 8, 2006.

2010

On February 3, 2009, Malloy officially filed paperwork with Connecticut's State Elections Enforcement Commission to form a gubernatorial exploratory committee,^[18] and subsequently announced that he did not intend to seek re-election as Mayor of Stamford.^[19] On March 9, 2010, Malloy filed the required paperwork to officially run for governor.^[20]

Malloy received the Democratic Party's endorsement for Governor on May 22, 2010 in a 68-32 vote over 2006 Democratic senatorial candidate Ned Lamont.^[21] Connecticut's Democratic Party rules allow any candidate who received more than 15% of the vote at its nominating convention to challenge the endorsed candidate for the nomination in a primary, and Lamont announced that he would challenge Malloy in the gubernatorial primary. The primary was held on August 10, 2010. Malloy won with 58% of the vote, according to AP-reported unofficial results.^[22][23][24] According to preliminary numbers, he beat Lamont 101,354 to 73,875.^[22][23]

As a Democratic candidate for Governor prior to the Democratic state convention and subsequent primary, Malloy chose Nancy Wyman to be his running mate. Wyman is the only woman elected State Comptroller since the office was created in 1786. Malloy's choice was confirmed by the Democratic nominating convention on May 22, and Wyman became the official 2010 Democratic candidate for Lieutenant Governor when she defeated primary opponent Mary Glassman on August 10. After the primaries, candidates for Governor and Lieutenant Governor run together as a team on a single ticket. Thus, Malloy and Wyman were both elected on November 2, 2010.

Malloy faced Republican Thomas C. Foley, the former United States Ambassador to Ireland under President George W. Bush, in the race for governor. Tom Foley had never been elected to public office. In the last Quinnipiac University Polling Institute poll released on the morning before Election Day, Malloy trailed Foley 48% to 45%.^[25]

According to The New York Times on November 3, Malloy was elected governor; they later placed Foley in the lead with no declared winner.^[26] The Associated Press had at one point also placed Foley ahead by 8,424 votes because they hadn't added the votes from New Haven or Bridgeport at that time.^[27] In the days following the election, there was controversy over several polling locations in Bridgeport remaining open until 10 p.m. on Election Day due to ballot shortages.^[27] Foley's team looked into the events that took place in Bridgeport and determined there was insufficient evidence of enough fraud to overcome the vote deficit.^[28]

2014

On March 28, 2014 Malloy announced his intention to seek a second term.^[29] With full support, he was unopposed in the Democratic primary. On August 12, Tom Foley, Malloy's Republican opponent in 2010, won his party's nomination,^[30] making the 2014 election a rematch of the bitter 2010 contest. As expected, the race was very close. On November 4, Malloy won reelection with 51.1 percent of the vote.^[31][32][33] Foley conceded the election on November 5 without direct communication with Malloy.^[34]

Tenure

Malloy was sworn in as the 88th Governor of Connecticut on January 5, 2011, succeeding Republican Governor Jodi Rell.

In the state's legislative elections of November 2012, Republicans tried to tie Democratic legislators to Malloy, who had consistently faced negative job approval ratings.^[35] The strategy did not work and the Democrats recorded no losses in either house. Malloy called the results a "vindication" and said that "Tough times require tough decisions that are not immediately popular... you should not be afraid to make tough decisions, particularly if you are transparent about those decisions, if you explain why those decisions were necessary. In our case, the tough decisions we had to make were in fact caused by Republican governors."^[36]

Economy

The first task facing Malloy upon taking office was addressing a multibillion-dollar deficit as a result of the prior state budget enacted by the Democratic super-majority-controlled legislature which Rell chose to accept without signing.^[37] Malloy adopted what he called an agenda of "shared sacrifice" which was dependent on increases in various taxes, including the income tax, the gas tax, the sales tax, and the estate tax, as well as $1 billion each year in union concessions.^[38] Malloy chose not to reduce aid to municipalities as part of his budget agenda,^[39] although such aid would have been jeopardized if labor concessions were not reached.^[40] After two months of negotiations, in May 2011, Malloy won $1.6 billion in union givebacks. The budget deal meant that, in contrast to many other states, there were no layoffs.^[41] Many of Malloy's proposed tax increases were unpopular,^[42] despite a statewide "listening tour" to promote the budget.^[43]

Marijuana

In June 2011, Malloy signed a bill that decriminalized possession of small amounts of marijuana. Offenders pay a $150 fine for a first offense and a fine ranging from $200 to $500 for subsequent offenses. Those younger than 21 face a 60-day driver's license suspension. Paraphernalia has also been decriminalized as long as the person possesses under 1/2 an ounce of marijuana. Offenders may still be arrested for under 1/2 an ounce or a pipe if they are in a school zone and there is a mandatory minimum sentence (MMS) of 3 years. There is also an MMS of 3 years for sale to a minor.^[44]

Connecticut became the 17th state to legalize medical marijuana on June 1, 2012 after Malloy signed a bill into law. Some portions of the law were effective immediately while the remaining portions became effective on October 1, 2012.^[45][46]

LGBT equality

Malloy supports progressive social measures, including protections for transgender identity. Malloy praised the Transgender Rights Bill HB 6599^[47] and promised he would sign it into law. It passed the legislature and he signed it on July 5, 2011.^[48] The bill protects the rights of transgender residents, including the right to use public facilities of the gender a person identifies with.^[49][50][51]

Labor laws

On September 21, 2011, Malloy issued Executive Orders 9 and 10, which would allow the Service Employees International Union to unionize day care workers subsidized through Care 4 Kids and personal care attendants under Medicaid waivers by redefining these employees as state employees for collective bargaining purposes.^[52] The executive orders generated intense opposition from child care providers, personal care attendants, their employers with disabilities, the National Federation of Independent Business, and We the People of Connecticut, a constitutionalist organization.^[53] Disability advocates objected to being excluded from the decision-making process, to union interference in the intimate relationship between employers and PCAs, and to the likely loss of PCA hours under a capped program; NFIB feared a "terrible precedent" in allowing other union organizing drives of small businesses by executive order through card check; and legislators viewed Malloy's actions as a violation of the state Constitution's separation of powers. Malloy responded that these workers, whom he described as being among the hardest working and lowest paid, deserved the opportunity to collectively bargain if they wished to do so.

Criminal justice

Malloy, who has long campaigned against capital punishment,^[54] signed a bill to repeal the state's death penalty on April 25, 2012. The bill was not retroactive and did not affect those on death row in Connecticut at the time.^[55][56] On August 13, 2015, however, the Connecticut Supreme Court ruled in 2015 in State v. Santiago that the legislature's decision to prospectively abolish capital punishment rendered it an offense to "evolving standards of decency," thus commuting the sentences of the 11 men remaining on death row to life in prison without parole.^[57] Malloy is in the process of having Connecticut be the first state in the nation to raise the age of being within the juvenile system from 18 to 21 via the Second Chance initiative.^[58] This is based on a similar model used by several European countries with excellent success rates.

Education

Malloy's "centerpiece" education reform bill was unanimously passed by the Connecticut House of Representatives and signed into law in early May 2012. The bill increases funding for early childhood education and poorer school districts, creates 1,000 more preschool places, creates a kindergarten to third grade literacy pilot programme and reformed teacher tenure, tying it to performance.^[59]

Voting

Also in May 2012, Malloy signed a bill that expanded voting rights in Connecticut, allowing for same-day voter registration. Other provisions to allow early voting and "no-excuse" absentee ballots will be subject to a referendum, to be held in 2014.^[60] It also allows for online voter registration, beginning in 2014.^[61]

Gun laws

In the wake of the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown in December 2012, Malloy pushed for strict new gun control laws. In April 2013, he signed into law a bill that passed the legislature with bipartisan support and required universal background checks, banned magazines with a capacity of more than 10 rounds, created the country's first registry for dangerous-weapon offenders and added over 100 types of gun to the state's assault weapons ban.^[62]

In December 2015, Malloy announced he would issue an executive order to prohibit anyone on federal terrorist watchlists (such as the No Fly List) from obtaining the permits required to acquire firearms in Connecticut.^[63] The executive order would also revoke existing permits for people on such lists.^[64]

Immigration laws

On June 7, 2013, Malloy signed a bill that allows all residents of Connecticut, including illegal immigrants, to apply for a driver's license. He called it a public safety issue that "needs to be addressed". The licenses cannot be used to vote or board a plane and the bill will take effect in July 2015.^[65]

Other issues

At the end of May 2012, Malloy signed a bill that repealed Connecticut's ban on the sale of alcohol on Sundays. Connecticut, Georgia and Indiana had previously been the only states that still had broad restrictions on the sale of alcohol on Sundays.^[66]

In response to Hurricane Sandy, Malloy partially activated the state's Emergency Operations Center on October 26, 2012^[67] and signed a Declaration of Emergency the next day.^[68] On October 28, President Barack Obama approved Connecticut's request for an emergency declaration, and hundreds of National Guard personnel were deployed.^[69] On October 29, Malloy ordered road closures for all state highways.^[70] Numerous mandatory and partial evacuations were issued in cities across Connecticut.^[71] Malloy's strong initial response is credited with helping the state to avoid much of the damage that affected neighbouring New York and nearby New Jersey. Five people were killed and over 30,000 houses were destroyed. The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave the state over $283 million in the 6 months following the hurricane and in August 2013, Malloy announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development was giving another $71.8 million.^[72]

Memberships

• Chairman of the Democratic Governors Association, 2015–^[73]
• Trustee and Vice Chair for Education of the Jobs, Education & Workforce Committee, United States Conference of Mayors
• Co-Chair of Small Business/Partner America Task Force, United States Conference of Mayors
• Former Member, Executive Committee of the Democratic National Committee
• Former President, Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
• Adjunct Professor, the University of Connecticut
• Member, Board of Trustees, Mitchell College, New London, Connecticut
• Member, Mayors Against Illegal Guns Coalition

Personal life

Malloy and his wife have been married since 1982. Cathy Malloy is the Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Hartford Arts Council. She formerly served as Executive Director of the Center for Sexual Assault Crisis Counseling and Education serving lower Fairfield County. The couple has three sons: Ben, Dannel, and Sam. The Malloys have a home in the Shippan Point neighborhood of Stamford.

See also

• Connecticut gubernatorial election, 2006
• Connecticut gubernatorial election, 2010

References

1. NPR Online Profile
2. Hartford Courant report on endorsements for Malloy
3. "The New York Times" Lamont Loses Connecticut Primary for Governor
4. Siedzik, Jason. "Dan Malloy stands behind the striking employees of Laurel Hill Health Care". The Register Citizen. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
5. http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/m/a/l/William-F-Malloy/FILE/0001text.txt
6. "Irish eyes were smiling at Governor-elect Malloy in Stamford reception". Stamfordplus.com. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
7. Lisa Miller (2012-04-19). "Catholic activists pushing politicians to turn tide against the death penalty". The Washington Post. Retrieved 2012-12-16.
8. Haigh, Susan (30 May 2006). "AP Interview: Malloy overcame dyslexia, physical struggles". The Connecticut Post. Associated Press. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
9. Hernandez, Raymond (11 August 2010). "Odds Defied? Malloy Knows the Territory". The New York Times. Retrieved 14 November 2010.
10. Halbfinger, David M. (February 15, 2011). "Connecticut Governor, Tackling Budget, Criticizes Christie's Approach". The New York Times. Retrieved February 16, 2011.
11. Haigh, Susan (May 30, 2006). "AP Interview: Malloy overcame dyslexia, physical struggles". The Connecticut Post. Associated Press. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
12. Hernandez, Raymond (August 11, 2010). "Odds Defied? Malloy Knows the Territory". The New York Times. Retrieved November 14, 2010.
13. http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?a=4011&q=471134
14. Bill Squier (June 1, 2009). "And they’re off!". Stamford Plus. Retrieved October 28, 2013.
15. Stamford safety record
16. Lowe, Zach. "Stamford named ninth safest city in U.S." The Advocate (Stamford), 2007-06-20. Retrieved on 2009-02-19
17. Morganteen, Jeff (December 2, 2009). "Stamford fire service consolidation part of Malloy's legacy". stamfordadvocate.com. Retrieved August 29, 2011.
18. Pazniokas, Mark. "Stamford Mayor Explores Run For Governor" The Hartford Courant, 2009-02-03. Retrieved on 2009-02-19
19. Wright, Chase. "Malloy focuses on governor's seat", The Stamford Times, 2009-02-04.
20. "Malloy makes it official: he's running for governor". StamfordAdvocate. 2010-03-10. Retrieved 2010-08-29.
21. Lamont challenges Malloy
22. AP, "Connecticut - Summary Vote Results" Daily Coruant, August 11, 2010. Found at AP website; retrieved August 11, 2010.
23. DemFromCT, "CT primary: Malloy beats Lamont, GOP Gov. leans Foley, McMahon wins but under 50%", DailyKos, August 10, 2010; see DailyKos website; retrieved August 11, 2010.
24. Ken Dixon, "Foley joins Malloy as primary winner," August 10, 2010. Found at Connecticut Post website; retrieved August 11, 2010
25. Q Poll: Blumenthal Up 9 Points; Governor Too Close To Call."Q Poll: Blumenthal Up 9 Points; Governor Too Close To Call" "The Hartford Courant", 2010-11-01. Retrieved on 2010-11-01.
26. New York Times coverage of 2010 Connecticut gubernatorial election
27. Ken Dixon and Bill Cummings (November 3, 2010). "Malloy declared winner, but Foley fights on". Stamford Advocate. Retrieved November 4, 2010.
28. Foley Concedes to Malloy
29. http://articles.courant.com/2014-03-28/news/hc-malloy-seeking-reelection-20140328_1_re-election-plans-press-conference-capitol-complex
30. "Unofficial primary results" (PDF). Connecticut Secretary of State. August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 28, 2014.
31. http://www.statementofvote-sots.ct.gov/StatementOfVote/WebModules/ReportsLink/OfficeTitle.aspx
32. Chappatta, Brian (November 5, 2014). "Connecticut's Malloy Wins Re-Election as Foley Concedes". Bloomberg.
33. Mueller, Benjamin (November 5, 2014). "Dannel Malloy, in Repeat, Wins a Close Election for Connecticut Governor". The New York Times.
34. http://www.nbcconnecticut.com/news/local/governors-race-election-decision-2014-results-malloy-foley-281536171.html
35. Alan Greenblatt (August 25, 2013). "A Guide To The Nation's Most Vulnerable Governors". NPR. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
36. Mark Pazniokas (November 8, 2012). "Malloy sees vindication in 2012 election results". The CT Mirror. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
37. "Hartford Rell looks to fix 2011's budget deficit | WTNH.com Connecticut". Wtnh.com. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
38. "Malloy's Budget Pitch: 'Shared Sacrifice' - Hartford Courant". Articles.courant.com. 2011-02-17. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
39. "City And Town Aid Escape Malloy's Budget-Cutting - Hartford Courant". Articles.courant.com. 2011-02-16. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
40. "Malloy may cut municipal aid if unions don't concede - The Hour Publishing Company: Norwalk". Thehour.com. 2011-04-13. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
41. Peter Applebome (May 13, 2011). "Connecticut Unions Agree to $1.6 Billion in Givebacks". The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
42. LeAnne Gendreau (2011-03-09). "Most Disapprove of Malloy: Poll". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
43. Colin McEnroe (2011-04-24). "Looking For Sequel To Malloy's Budget Show - Hartford Courant". Courant.com. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
44. "Marijuana Decriminalization Bill Passes". NBC Connecticut. Retrieved 2013-07-06.
45. "Medical marijuana legalized in Connecticut". Reuters. 2012-06-01.
46. "OLR Bill Analysis - AN ACT CONCERNING THE PALLIATIVE USE OF MARIJUANA.". State of Connecticut. 2012-10-20.
47. "Bill Status". Cga.ct.gov. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
48. "Connecticut Gender Identity Anti-Discrimination Bill Signed By Governor Dan Malloy". The Huffington Post. July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
49. "Conn. passes transgender rights bill". The Boston Globe. June 5, 2011.
50. Advocate.com Editors (2011-06-07). "Conn Trans Rights Bill a Sure Thing". Advocate.com. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
51. "Connecticut House Passes Transgender Rights Bill; Moves On To Senate « CBS New York". Newyork.cbslocal.com. 2011-05-20. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
52. Office of Governor Malloy (2011-09-21). "Governor Malloy: Gov. Malloy Advances Workers' Rights for Personal Care Attendants, Family Child Care Providers". Governor.ct.gov. Retrieved 2012-08-17.
53. Levin Becker, Arielle (10 November 2011). "GOP hearing challenges Malloy order on home care attendants". CT Mirror. Retrieved 24 November 2011.
54. Christopher Keating (May 20, 2012). "Tom Foley, Dan Malloy Clash On Death Penalty, Jobs, Records In Gubernatorial Debate". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
55. Brett Logiurato (April 12, 2012). "Connecticut Abolishes The Death Penalty, Not That It Actually Ever Had One". Business Insider. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
56. "Connecticut governor signs bill to repeal death penalty". FOXNews.com (FOX News Network, LLC.). April 25, 2012. Retrieved April 25, 2012.
57. "Connecticut Supreme Court Rules Death Penalty Unconstitutional". CT News Junkie. August 13, 2015. Retrieved August 13, 2015.
58. "Connecticut’s Second-Chance". nytimes.com (New York Times). January 4, 2016. Retrieved May 2, 2016.
59. Kathleen Megan; Daniela Altimari (May 9, 2012). "House Unanimously Passes Education Reform Bill". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
60. Daniela Altimari (May 9, 2012). "Connecticut Senate Gives Final Approval To Constitutional Amendment On Early Voting". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
61. Keith M. Phaneuf (May 5, 2012). "Senate gives final approval to Election Day registration". The CT Mirror. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
62. "Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy signs bill with gun-control laws among the toughest in nation". Daily News. April 4, 2013. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
63. http://www.nytimes.com/2015/12/11/nyregion/connecticut-to-ban-gun-sales-to-those-on-federal-terrorism-lists.html
64. http://www.reuters.com/article/us-connecticut-guns-idUSKBN0TT2EM20151210
65. Jenny Wilson (June 7, 2013). "Malloy Signs Undocumented Immigrants Driver’s License Bill, Which Takes Effect In 2015". Hartford Courant. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
66. Elizabeth Maker (May 20, 2012). "Buy Alcohol on Sunday? Connecticut Now Allows It". The New York Times. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
67. "Governor Malloy to Partially Activate the State Emergency Operations Center at 8am Saturday". Hurricane Sandy News and Information. CT.gov. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
68. "Gov. Malloy Signs Declaration of Emergency". Hurricane Sandy News and Information. CT.gov. Retrieved 2012-10-27.
69. "Obama approves pre-landfall emergency declaration for Connecticut". The Hour. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
70. "All Connecticut highways closed as Sandy approaches". WABC TV. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
71. "Town-By-Town Evacuations". October 28, 2012. Retrieved 2012-10-29.
72. Dylan Stableford (October 25, 2013). "Connecticut: Sandy's (sometimes) forgotten victim". Yahoo! News. Retrieved October 27, 2013.
73. "Malloy Elected New DGA Chair". National Journal. 7 December 2015.

External links

• Governor Dannel P. Malloy official government website
• Dan Malloy for Governor
• Dannel P. Malloy at DMOZ