Malloy fields queries in town hall event

Governor Dannel P. Malloy speaks during the community forum at West Rocks Middle School in Norwalk, Tuesday night, April 30, 2013. Governor Dannel P. Malloy speaks during the community forum at West Rocks Middle School in Norwalk, Tuesday night, April 30, 2013. Photo: Bob Luckey Photo: Bob Luckey Image 1 of / 11 Caption Close Malloy fields queries in town hall event 1 / 11 Back to Gallery

NORWALK -- A dozen people stepped to the microphone at West Rocks Middle School on Tuesday, peppering Gov. Dannel P. Malloy with questions on topics ranging from education to genetically modified food labeling.

The governor drew on personal experience and his 14-year tenure as mayor of Stamford during the hourlong question-and-answer session.

Norwalk Mayor Richard Moccia introduced the governor by praising his handling of the storms that pummeled the state in recent years, as well as his response the Dec. 14 shooting in Newtown.

"Whatever your political persuasion is, it doesn't mean much when you have a leader who is there representing the state and who is there doing the best he can in an emergency situation," the Republican Moccia said. "And that's what the governor has done."

Malloy, a Democrat, opened the event by saying the state can avoid a tax hike when the budget is finalized June 5.

"The two committees of cognizance have forwarded that budget largely in a framework that we can work with," Malloy said. "I want more education spending in the budget, so we'll continue to work on that issue."

Most speakers, however, asked detailed questions on subjects such physician-assisted suicide, incarceration and racial disparities in nursing and firefighting. Many speakers came from out of town, and there wasn't time for all of them to make it to the microphone.

The governor took his first question from Fairfield resident Dawn Llewellyn, who asked whether the common-core curriculum is stacked against mathematically gifted students who may not perform as strongly in language arts or who suffer from dyslexia.

"How is Connecticut evaluating and assessing whether the common core is good for the students here?" she asked.

The governor, who has dyslexia, said he is committed to supporting students with learning disabilities, but the common core curriculum has value.

"Accommodating children with disabilities has got to be a part of what we do and who we are and what we promote in this state," Malloy said. "Having said that, we need to move all of our children in the direction of communicating to the best of their ability in some fashion."

Another Fairfield resident, Tara Cook-Littman, asked the governor to support genetically modified food labeling. Cook-Littman chairs Fairfield's Fuel for Learning Partnership.

"Without GMO labeling, I can't make the choices for myself or for my children," she said. "Ideally, it would be something our federal government could do, but unfortunately that's not going to be something that's going to happen any time soon."

"I am concerned about a disproportionate impact on a small state with a lot of small farms employing 28,000 people in our state," he responded. "But I'm not against it."

Norwalk resident Carol Vogt asked the governor about his plans to address homelessness. Malloy responded by pointing to Stamford.

"We developed literally hundreds of affordable units in Stamford over time because we required a percentage of all new multi-residence housing units to be set aside," the governor said.

Another speaker asked the governor if he supported physician-assisted suicide, which has not gained traction in the General Assembly. Malloy answered by talking about his mother, who died in hospice care after battling ovarian cancer.

"She never made the decision that she wanted to end her life, but I did say if that had been her decision I would have supported it," he said. "I'm not talking about whatever law should or shouldn't say at any time -- I'm not leading that discussion. If we ever moved in that direction you have to be very careful."

Several dozen people attended the town hall. Speakers were overwhelmingly cordial, thanking the governor for his support on several initiatives.

"I believe that your presence in the governor's chair is providing generally positive guidance for our state," said Anthony Maisano III. "Your tree-trimming policy was spot on and your disaster leadership will form your legacy."

Kate.King@scni.com; 203-964-2263; http://twitter.com/kcarliniking