John DeStefano Jr. for governor of Connecticut

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John DeStefano Jr. for governor of Connecticut

October 27, 2006

New Haven Register Editorial

New Haven's mayor would bring energy, ideas to state government.

When he's asked why he decided to run for governor, New Haven Mayor John DeStefano Jr. simply says that, shortly after his re-election in 2003, he found himself feeling frustrated about the direction, or rather lack of direction, he saw at the highest levels of state government.

The state was immersed in an ugly scandal brought on by the loose style of government run by then-Gov. John G. Rowland. DeStefano, who universally is credited with having the vision to get the city of New Haven on the right path, felt he could bring that vision to Hartford. From our perspective, it is clear which of the bigger cities in Connecticut has the most going for it - New Haven - and DeStefano is the biggest reason the Elm City has become the cultural and entertainment capital of the state.

What we've seen in DeStefano's nearly three-year odyssey to be governor makes us believers - we believe he is the right person to tackle the myriad of state issues. From skyrocketing utility rates to the cost of health insurance to the need for an escalated transportation plan, DeStefano has the ideas and enthusiasm to find better answers for state residents.

We aren't claiming that DeStefano's perfect. For instance, the battle over city approval of the cancer center at Yale-New Haven Hospital dragged on far too long. His heavy reliance on union support and the populist theme of his campaign have undoubtedly given pause to many in the state's business community. As governor, DeStefano will have to foster a good state business climate if he wants to grow jobs here. We are confident he understands this.

DeStefano has a worthy opponent in Gov. M. Jodi Rell. She should be applauded for her work in bringing the state back from the lows of the Rowland administration's corruption. She deserves full credit for persuading the Democrats who control the legislature to finally pass meaningful campaign finance reform. Rell's brief tenure has been notable for her willingness to negotiate to reach her legislative objectives. It has been an effective governing style that has left few bruised egos. Rell should be commended for her determined effort to control borrowing that has left Connecticut with the highest per capita debt in the country.

A blot on her record, however, was her failure to respond strongly enough to the campaign finance scandal within her office orchestrated by her chief of staff, which entangled 16 commissioners and their deputies.

Additionally, Rell's performance on the campaign trail has hardly been inspiring. She is the candidate of the status quo. In comparison, DeStefano has been electric in his ideas for transforming how government conducts business and his sure grasp of the state's problems.

DeStefano's main pitch is that Rell has been disengaged from daily management of government and that she has not done enough to confront the major problems of the state. He has a raft of proposals on everything from property tax reform to health care costs to holding utility companies more accountable for rate increases that are choking Connecticut residents and businesses.

The last time Democrats controlled both the legislature and the governor's office, they went on a spending spree that ran up a $1 billion deficit. In 1991, the state had to enact the income tax to get out of its fiscal hole.

DeStefano has been fiscally responsible in his management of New Haven's finances, making tough cuts when required.

He will have to bring that same sense of fiscal accountability to Hartford as he pushes programs that will require hundreds of millions more in spending. If he doesn't, his tenure as governor will be brief.

State government can't afford to make the cost of doing business here even more expensive. There has to be a healthy business climate to grow jobs. We expect DeStefano to live up to his campaign promise to make Connecticut a more affordable place to live and do business.

Connecticut could use a change in direction and we believe DeStefano can lead the state on a better course. For that reason, we urge voters to support him when Election Day arrives Nov. 7.