Gov. Dannel Malloy Sworn In for Second Term

Gov. Dannel Malloy has been sworn in for a second term as governor.

The day of celebration began with the inaugural parade, which stepped off in downtown Hartford at 11:30 a.m.

Malloy and several others braved the cold during the traditional inaugural parade, which stepped off near the intersection of Jewell Street and Trinity Street. The parade proceeded under the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, turning right onto Capitol Avenue and past the State Capitol.

The governor marched hand in hand with First Lady Catherine Malloy, bundled in a winter jacket ad gloves, and waved to the brave souls to ventured outside to watch the half-hour procession from the arch to the armory.

It was a much different experience than the last time Malloy made his way down the inaugural parade route in 2011, when temperatures climbed to nearly 40 degrees.

But the cold didn't stop several high school bands, the Color Guard, the Air National Guard and the Governor's Horse Guard from taking part in the parade, nor did it deter Connecticut residents who congregated along the route.

Following the parade, the Democrat and his running-mate, Lt. Gov. Nancy Wyman, took the oath of office during an inauguration ceremony that started at 1:30 p.m. at the William A. O'Neill State Armory.

Wyman spoke after a song from the Trinitones a cappella group at Trinity College, proclaiming "we have united" as a state from major weather events like the October snowstorm in 2011 to tragedies.

She swore in State Comptroller Kevin Lembo and introduced Attorney Gen. George Jepsen, State Treasurer Denise Nappier, and Secretary of the State Denise Merrill to take their respective oaths of office.

Then the governor and his wife took the stage, and Malloy launched into his inauguration speech, touting job growth, reduced crime rates and higher high school graduation numbers. The full text of Malloy's inauguration address is available here.

Less than two hours later, Malloy delivered his State of the State address to the full General Assembly, focusing heavily on transporation.

In the transcript of his speech released by his office on Wednesday afternoon, Malloy said that economic growth in Connecticut is dependent on the state's transportation infrastructure.

"We can have an open and honest discussion of what needs to happen to transform our infrastructure to meet the challenges and demands of the 21st century. We can do it this year. In this session," Malloy said in his State of the State address. "To make us more business friendly, to attract new companies and more jobs, to improve our quality of life, and make our state an even better place to raise a family."

He added that the budget he will propose next month reflects steps for a "long-term transportation vision." The governor encouraged officials to have an "honest conversation" about funding for transportation, adding that "while traffic congestion is getting worse, more efficient cars mean that our gas taxes will soon fail to cover current investments, let alone the new ones we need to make."

"Today, I am proposing that Connecticut create a secure transportation lock box that will ensure every single dollar raised for transportation is spent on transportation, now and into the future. No gimmicks. No diversions," Malloy said in the address. "And we should include a covenant with bond holders and all people of Connecticut to ensure that money set aside for transportation projects is only used for that purpose. Send me a bill that accomplishes these goals and I will sign it immediately. Until that legislation is passed and signed, I will veto any attempt to levy additional sources of new revenue for transportation."

The day of festivities will conclude with an inaugural ball tonight at the Connecticut Convention Center. Guests have paid $200 per person to attend.

Traffic in and around Hartford will be congested throughout the day. If you are not attending, police ask drivers to avoid the area if you can.

Check back for updates and to watch live coverage of the ceremonial events.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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