New Governor, Malloy Legacy, and the New Chair of the Committee on Education and the Workfor

This weekly segment by Democrats for Education Reform CT looks at the top education stories Democrats are watching, providing bite-sized analysis and links to recent articles. This week: a new Governor and General Assembly is sworn into office, we look back at the Malloy legacy on education, and we congratulate DFER ally Rep. Bobby Scott on his new role.

Extra, Extra! Inauguration Day Edition!

Connecticut Leadership Changes Hands 

Today, Ned Lamont will be sworn is as Connecticut’s 89th Governor and a new General Assembly will take the oath of office in Hartford. While we have high hopes that the next administration and state legislators will lead on education, we are watching to see when the next Commissioner of Education and State Board of Education appointees will be announced, and what issues state leaders will tackle in this new year. Check out our DFER CT Playbook: Inauguration 2019 Primer, from special guest Michael Mandell, on what will happen in the state capitol today and what to look for in the coming weeks as Governor Lamont takes office. We also have some ed-progressive ideas for Democrats heading into the 2019 session.

Additionally, three State Senators and two House Members will join the Lamont Administration– Sens. Tim Larson of East Hartford, Terry Gerratana of New Britain and Beth Bye of West Hartford and Reps. James Albis of East Haven and Chris Soto of New London. Special elections will be held for these seats and reshuffling of Committee Chairs will be announced in the coming days.

A Look Back on Malloy’s Education Legacy 

And with a new occupant in the Governor’s Office, we are taking a moment to look back on Dan Malloy’s two terms of service. The CT Mirror ran a profile of his education priorities, highlighting Governor Malloy’s commitment to civil rights, addressing poverty head on, and pushing tirelessly for high standards- even in the face of significant political resistance. The article recounts, as “the first Democratic governor in 20 years when he took office in 2011, improving education and eliminating the yawning disparities between students of color and their classmates was a moral imperative.” Thank you Governor Malloy for your leadership, courage and compassion!

A New Day in DC 

In other news out of Washington, DC, we also want to congratulate Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) on his promotion as the new Chairperson of the Committee on Education and the Workforce. The ranking member of this committee for the last four years and an integral leader on the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), Rep. Scott, a long-time DFER champion and partner, assumes this role with a proven track record of advocacy on behalf of every American student.