Malloy, DeStefano Discuss the Issues
During the debate, the largest differences between the candidates were campaign finance reform, reforming management of the Bradley International Airport, reducing crime, and appropriate use for eminent domain.
Malloy said DeStefano refused to promise to return money he raised as a candidate if public financing for political campaigns became effective for the 2006 race.
“I truly believe as I stand before this audience today, that if you had agreed, we could have had campaign finance reform in this cycle,” Malloy said, adding he lobbied the legislature to get the bill passed.
“We didn’t think it was a real possibility,” DeStefano replied.
Malloy retorted “when we were asked Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz said yes and I said yes, we both thought it was a possibility.”
DeStefano argued back stating “I appreciate Dan’s dramatics here and his effort to display passion. And it’s a phony issue, Dan.”
Campaign finance reforms will apply in the 2008 legislative and 2010 gubernatorial elections.
The creation of a new oversight authority over the airport was another issue the two disagreed on.
DeStefano is advocating the creation of a bi-state Connecticut-Massachusetts Airport and Development Authority which would be jointly funded by both states.
This authority take Bradley International Airport in Windsor Locks out of the jurisdiction of the DOT, which both agreed was not doing a satisfactory job providing oversight to the airport which has international destinations to Canada only.
Malloy questioned whether the creation of such an authority would benefit Connecticut but said he advocates a “Connecticut authority to oversee operations and used in a way to grow jobs in Connecticut.”
Malloy and DeStefano said they support the proposed I-95 widening, improving rail and port services, and reviewing road projects including Route 7 and Route 11.
Both candidates want to take measures to reduce crime but each had different ideas on how to do this.
Malloy promised to put “1,000 additional officers and troopers on the streets of Connecticut” and believes the state should “make sure people who make mistakes early avoid those in the future” by providing job training, outreach, and addiction services for drug and alcohol treatment.
DeStefano said his goal to reduce crime includes creating a partnership between governments and schools to reach out to an increasing number of kids who carry guns.
Close the achievement gap, focus on early learning, and focus on improving the math and science curriculums at public schools are also ways to reduce crime later in life, DeStefano said.
The debate took place in New London, a city where residents were forced to leave their homes in an eminent domain case aiming to spur economic development in the city.
“There are 169 towns and cities and I say limit it to those 25 deemed by the state to be economically depressed,” DeStefano, questioning the rationale of towns which are not of those 25 who want to use eminent domain.
The three “distressed municipalities” in 2005 closest to our area include New Haven, New London, and Norwich.
Malloy said he believes eminent domain is “an important tool to grow the economy but a tool that can be abused” and agrees with DeStefano regarding protections.
Eminent domain does provide “opportunities for real jobs” but that further protections need to be provided.
“I am the only candidate that proposed legal fees are met with upfront initial guidance and counseling appraisal,” Malloy said.
Reshaping cities by building hospitals, airports, schools, and jobs, are all appropriate uses of eminent domain, according to Malloy.
DeStefano and Malloy agreed the assessment of a property should not be based on fair market value but on the property’s future use.
The Dan Malloy website states he has an “Eastern Connecticut initiative” which includes economic development and diversification along with affordable housing.
Specifically, Malloy said he has listened to concerns from residents regarding increased traffic and creation of an education policy.
When John DeStefano visited Eastern Connecticut, he showed his support for dairy farm aid to support farmers, unions representing city workers, and the Mashantucket Pequot fund.
DeStefano has said he also understands problems regarding housing and transportation issues.
