Last fall, after United Technologies Corp. announced it would spin off its Otis Elevator and Carrier divisions, then Governor-elect Ned Lamont vowed he would watch the Farmington-based conglomerate "like a hawk" to retain its workforce in Connecticut.
But this weekend's news that UTC would merge with Raytheon Co., and move its headquarters to Waltham, MA., came with little advanced notice to the Lamont administration.
But should it have been all that surprising? Especially given the draw of major economic hubs like Boston, and what some see as a lack of priority by the General Assembly to adequately address the state's relatively stagnant job growth over the past decade?
Today, with Lucy Nalpathanchil from WNPR's Where We Live in the host seat, we assess the political and economic ramifications of UTC's plans. What lessons can the state learn from this latest hit?
We also grade the governor on his ability to herd the General Assembly during the regular legislative session. And we preview the special session likely to be gaveled in later this summer.
GUESTS:
- Mark Pazniokas - Capitol Bureau Chief at the Connecticut Mirror (@CTMirrorPaz)
- Susan Bigelow - Contributor - CTNewsJunkie.com (@whateversusan)
- Dr. Jonathan Wharton - Associate Professor of Political Science and Urban Affairs at Southern Connecticut State University (@PreppyProf)
