When John McKinney files the papers to run for Governor there are a lot of questions he needs to answer

(Hartford, Connecticut) —  Today, the Connecticut Democratic Party released the following statement from Executive Director Jonathan Harris.

“John McKinney is a nice guy.  And over the years he’s dedicated a lot of time to public service.  But more often than not, as demonstrated by his legislative record, he has voted against the interests of Connecticut’s middle class.  And for the most part he cheered on the two Republican governors who drove Connecticut into the ditch Gov. Malloy has been working so hard to pull us out of.”

“Sen. McKinney says he is ‘uniquely qualified’ to be Governor.  Really?  If that’s the case, then he’s got a lot of questions to answer first:

Why did Sen. McKinney vote against a historic economic development proposal — Bioscience Connecticut — that will create thousands of jobs and eventually make Connecticut a world leader in a cutting edge, growth industry?  Voting against smart investments in our economy hardly makes you ‘uniquely qualified’ to be governor.

Why did Sen. McKinney propose cutting $7 million from the HUSKY program in 2011, and why did he vote against the creation of the Health Exchange?  Cutting funding for children’s healthcare and voting against a program that will provide quality, affordable healthcare for tens of thousands of people hardly makes you ‘uniquely qualified’ to be governor.

Why did Sen. McKinney vote to cut funding for education in 2009 by $577 million dollars?  Voting against better public schools for our children hardly makes you ‘uniquely qualified’ to be governor.

Why has Sen. McKinney consistently voted against modest increases in the minimum wage?  Voting against the interests of people who are working two and three jobs to support their families hardly makes you ‘uniquely qualified’ to be governor.

Why did Sen. McKinney vote against the bill that gives people the ability to stay home when they’re sick instead of losing their jobs?  Forcing people to choose between their jobs and their health hardly makes you ‘uniquely qualified’ to be governor.

These are just a few examples of Sen. McKinney voting against the interests of the middle class.  There are many more.

Finally, one more question: will Sen. McKinney accept public financing?  When he had a chance to lead on this issue in 2005 he called the system ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘offensive’.

Here’s the bottom line: on Gov. Malloy’s watch the private sector has created more than 37,000 jobs – the best track record since the late 1990s.  The private sector has grown, the government sector has shrunk, and historic investments have been made in job creation, education, health care, and affordable housing.  For the first time the state has an energy policy, and as a result the cost of energy is coming down – finally.  Investments are being made in small businesses, and in industries that are poised to grow for years to come.   And each time Connecticut has been hit with a crisis, Gov. Malloy has led us through it.  Gov. Malloy isn’t satisfied with where Connecticut is, and he knows we have a long way to go.  But on Gov. Malloy’s watch, there is no doubt Connecticut is making progress.  Sen. McKinney?  His voting record is out of touch with the middle class, and when he had the chance to lead he supported people and policies that got Connecticut into the mess in the first place.   Gov. Malloy is focused on Connecticut’s promising future; Sen. McKinney would like to revisit and relive the failed policies of the past.”

###