Our successful campaign supporting the transportation lockbox amendment is another powerful affirmation of the Roundtable’s efforts to build alliances among a broad range of allies – especially those who don’t always agree. When building trades, public employee and transit unions all stand together alongside religious and environmental groups, and even bipartisan public officials and business leaders, then people take notice. And visibility was the key ingredient needed to educate voters about the importance of the lockbox.
In a political climate that highlights divisions, creating opportunities for disparate voices to speak in unison on critical issues like climate change and fiscal policy is noteworthy, indeed.
That experience was repeated last week when Ned Lamont and Susan Bysiewicz gathered elected officials and regional leaders in New London to discuss economic development opportunities and policy priorities. Labor organizers, bipartisan legislators, city officials, and even local fishermen all urged the incoming administration to embrace and support the emergence of the offshore wind industry. We highlighted the need for the state to move faster and make stronger long-term commitments in order to maximize the potential for in-state investment and local job creation.