Yes, the evolution of party politics in CT has been profound over the past 20 years and certainly since the presence of Gov Rell.
I mean this to be a factually based post to explain to folks not from CT what has happened over the past 20 years as the party in power changed in CT. This is NOT a political post making judgments!
I think many here on WS have tried to understand why change never seems to happen in CT. I'm sure there are many answers to this but at a very basic level I would posit that one party rule in Hartford has to have had an impact on the direction of CT over the past 20 years. IDK, political scientists have debated the 'CT Dilemma' in terms of the stats for many years and many theories exist as to why the CT slide and population exodus happened. Just wanted to put the issue here as there have been many calls for change and reform here on WS but the history of change in CT is limited.
I do have to say though that the recent possibility of a proposed bill in the Judiciary Committee regarding DV is encouraging. I balance this feeling of optimism on DV legislation with absolute disgust that First Selectman Moynihan and Chief K in New Canaan, CT have done zero to move quickly on the Waveny Park security situation with the installation of cameras.
New Canaan To Install Security Cameras At Waveny Park Watching the football be tossed on the Waveny Camera situation and the comments from some of the Selectman was painful, particularly when you see so many other large scale and very expensive projects happening in Town. Priorities....
Interestingly enough, I believe New Canaan is one of the last towns in the State that consistently votes Republican and has largely Republican town officers. But I think in the last presidential election that the tide turned such that I'm not sure that the Republican dominance will be in evidence in future elections. Here are some NC info:
2019 New Canaan Election Results: Kevin Moynihan Wins Re-Election
Hartford is dominated by party politics and has been for many years and power is presently concentrated firmly in the hands of the Democrats. IMO this concentration of political power and agenda is reflected in the financial situation of CT and the economy which has continued to slide as neighbouring states bounced back. NY State too is going through some rough times both in terms of the real estate markets and economy too, so economic issues aren't just a CT issue, but CT has had zero economic growth for many many years and companies have been leaving in droves to find less hostile business environments too. But the CT slide on the way to possible bankruptcy at some point has been rough on the citizens of the state who are punished by some of the highest taxes in the country and with falling home prices. I do wish I could say that the issues we have seen in the CT Judiciary relate to lack of funding but I'm not sure anyone has presented a compelling argument that this might be the case. My suspicion is that what we have seen and what Fd has been allowed to get away with reflects lack of leadership at every level in the Judiciary and this is painful to say but I don't know how else to explain what we have now seen in Family Court, Civil Court and Criminal Court.
@thekirbyfamily, be glad you got out of the Nutmeg State and enjoy your new environment!
MOO