Welcome and thank you for being here. I also want to thank the management of the Old State House for making this magnificent chamber available.
This building has witnessed almost 210 years of Connecticut history, and it is especially fitting that this historic legislation is signed into law in this historic chamber.
The 17 months I have spent as Governor have been focused on making Connecticut citizens proud of their government once again … and they are.
They have seen us work together – the executive and the legislative branches, the House and Senate, Republicans and Democrats – to move us in the right direction and to make the right decisions.
That is the bipartisan spirit people want, and we have given it to them.
The bill I will sign today will go a long way toward restoring faith in state government.
I have said before that this bill is not perfect … There are some troubling components and I will ask the General Assembly next year to address those concerns.
But overall, this bill accomplishes much … by taking special interest money out of elections and putting the elections where they should be – in the hands of our citizens.
Today we have moved far, far beyond ‘politics as usual.’
What we do in Connecticut today – I hope – will be done in states across the nation.
Today, we are no longer simply talking about cleaning up our system … we are doing it … we are making it reality.
I am standing before Gilbert Stuart’s great portrait of George Washington, who led the country in the American Revolution.
By signing this bill into law today, perhaps we can ignite another revolution – perhaps we can revolutionize our system of elections and how they are financed.
Once again, America should look to Connecticut as a bellwether … and follow our lead.
Before I sign this bill, I would like to once again thank Senator Williams and Speaker Amann for helping us get to this historic moment … and I would like them each to share their thoughts on this momentous occasion.
[Senator Williams followed by Speaker Amann]
Thank you Senator and thank you Mr. Speaker.
And now, let’s make history once again … let me sign this landmark legislation.
[Bill is signed]
Ladies and gentlemen, we can all be proud of what we have accomplished. Thank you again for helping make this dream a reality.
