Welcome and welcome back, all, to a new year!

Once the Class of 2014 came through the gates of Yale, settled into their Old Campus suites, and made new friends, they began to explore everything this campus has to offer them, many of them turning up en masse to the Dems’ first major events of the year: bluebooking, our annual kickoff, and hosting Dan Malloy and Blue State.

The year looks to be off to a great start with the Dems, old and new. A packed Dwight Hall Common Room played host to our kickoff, where Dems President Ben Stango, Committee Coordinators, and other Board members spoke to the new class, outlining the plans for the coming semester, focusing especially on electing the first Democrat to the Governor’s mansion in over two decades.

The very next day following the kickoff, that next Governor, Dan Malloy visited Blue State Coffee with his running mate, Nancy Wyman, and other prominent Connecticut supporters, including State Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield. All three spoke about the importance of this fall in determining the direction of Connecticut’s future. Malloy spoke of his experience in revitalizing the town of Stamford and the importance of building ties with businesses, especially entrepreneurs, in bringing jobs to Connecticut. He fielded questions ranging from carbon emissions commitments to bringing Hartford’s budget back in line.

News coverage, pictures, and video of the Malloy/Wyman event:

Can Malloy Break The Curse?

Malloy discusses hopes for future with Yale crowd

Malloy at Blue State

On Monday, the Dems hosted a candidate forum for two candidates competing for the 96th District General Assembly seat, a seat being vacated by Cam Staples as he runs for attorney general. The candidates, 9th Ward Alderman Roland Lemar and Debra Hauser, outlined their reasons for running and then were asked questions by the students in attendance. The topics, ranged from statewide issues such as utility cost control and taxes to more local problems such as New Haven’s murder rate and homelessness.

Press coverage below.

Hauser, Lemar Square Off On Homelessness

Dems host state rep. candidates in debate

This past Friday, the Yale Dems, joined by students from the University of Hartford and Trinity College, traveled to Hartford to lobby Connecticut state legislators to support various education reform bills currently before the General Assembly. To kick off the day, the Dems hosted a kickoff event where State Representatives Toni Walker (D-New Haven), Jason Bartlett (D-Danbury), and State Democratic Party Chairwoman Nancy DiNardo spoke about the importance of education reform and student involvement in the political process.

The bills (HB05491, SB0440, HB05421, SB0438, and HB05066) focus on reducing the achievement gap, alternative routes to certification for school educators and administrators, the establishment of data gathering on effective teaching methods, teacher evaluation, lifting the cap on charter school funding, and providing educational stability for foster children. Besides being efforts that will improve the state’s educational system, the plans should better Connecticut’s application for federal Race to the Top funding.

The Dems delivered petitions gathered from Yale students and New Haven residents in support of education reform to House Speaker Chris Donovan (D-Meriden) and met with legislators and their aides to speak about the importance of the bills’ passage. After doing so and leaving literature for the representatives, the Dems called it a day and headed back home. A major thanks to all who planned the event and to all who attended!

Hartford

This past Tuesday, Congressman Jim Himes, the first Democrat to be elected to the 4th district’s seat since 1966, journeyed to New Haven to speak to the Dems. The Representative spoke for about half an hour about his experience in Congress, the passage of health care reform, and the prospects of the Senate passing an energy reform bill to further the House’s efforts. He then fielded questions from the audience and engaged in a discussion on a wide range of issues. Pictures below.

Himes

Branford’s common room was invaded this past Monday by politicians from all over Connecticut. The Dems hosted Attorney General Richard Blumenthal, introduced by Dems’ President Ben Stango as “our next Senator,” who spoke about the his plans and vision for Connecticut and the country. Beginning with his ardent support for a federal consumer protection agency, Blumenthal continued, mentioning his support for further financial reform, military tribunals, federal education reform, and reforming the rules of the filibuster in the Senate.

Following the Yale Law alum, Yale College alum Susan Bysiewicz, the current Secretary of State of Connecticut running to become the state’s next Attorney General, spoke on the state of the campaign, and the issues she would pursue most as Attorney General, such as controlling the state’s energy costs, the highest in the continental United States.

Also present at the meeting were Aldermen Mike Jones and Roland Lemar, New Haven’s state Rep. Gary Holder-Winfield, and former Alderman Gerry Garcia. Lemar is seeking election as a state representative, while Garcia is running to follow Bysiewicz as the next Secretary of State.

Press roundup and pictures below.

Obama becomes issue in CT Senate race

Blumenthal not sure if Obama will campaign

Blumenthal unsure if he wants Obama to campaign for him

Blumenthal noncommittal on Obama help in campaign

Yale politicians talk elections

Blumenthal speaks to Yale Dems

Blumenthal Runs Away from Obama

Blumenthal and Bysiewicz

This past Monday, the Dems co-hosted an immigration panel with MEChA (Movimiento Estudiantil Chicano de Aztlán) de Yale. The panelists, Prof. Michael Wishnie of the Yale Law School, Kica Matos, formerly of the New Haven Mayor’s Office, Dartmouth Professor Lourdes Gutierrez Najera, and Henry Fernandez of the Center for American Progress, who spoke about the current state of immigration reform in the United States, the effects of the Obama administration has had on it, and the experiences of immigrants in New Haven and around the country. After an hour of discussion, the panelists joined students for small group discussion, question-and-answer sessions.

This past Monday, Rudy Marconi, First Selectman of Ridgefield and current exploratory candidate for governor, visited the Dems and spoke about his plans to reform education, transportation, and the Connecticut economy, as well as his avid support for public financing of campaigns. The New Haven Independent was on-hand at the event (see their coverage below).

Mr. Clean Money Comes to Town

Marconi

On Monday, the Dems hosted Ned Lamont, formerly the Democratic nominee for Senate and currently exploring a run for governor of Connecticut. The Yale SOM graduate spoke at length about the state of Connecticut’s economy, his plans to remedy what he called Connecticut’s “brain drain,” and how his business experience makes him uniquely qualified to create more jobs in the state. Press coverage below, as well as our own photos of the event.

Lamont SOM ‘80 talks to Dems

Lamont: “I Won’t Fight With One Arm”

Lamont

The Dems have been up to a lot this semester, shown here in two albums, one from our event with Howard Dean, and the other with pictures from a number of Dems events.

Howard Dean

Fall Semester 2009

Hey Yale Dems!

Welcome to March! I hope you’re enjoying our fine New England weather.

1. Healthcare Panel - Monday,
   March 2 - 8:00 pm, Branford Common Room
   
2. YPEP - Tuesday, March 2 - 7:00 pm, Pierson Common Room
3. Lobbying Committee - Wednesday, March 4 - 7:00 pm, JE K22
4. Elections Committee - Thursday, March 5 - 8:30, Trumbull Seminar Room
   
5. Election Day Registration Forum - Thursday, March 5, Law School Room 128
   
6. Happy Hour - Thursday, March 5 -9:30-11, VA-51
   

1. Health Care Panel
   Monday, March 2 - 8:00 pm, Branford Common Room

   As I’m sure you’re heard already, Monday is our panel on health care. Come learn about this pressing issue and what we can (and are going) to do about it.

2. YPEP
   
   Tuesday, March 3 – 7:00 pm, Pierson Common Room

   As usual, we’ll be planning out our week of school visits.

3. Lobbying Committee
   
   Wednesday, March 4 – 7:00 pm, JE K22

   Following our second panel we’ll debrief and gear up for a more active lobbying season.

4. Elections Committee
   Thursday, March 5 - 8:30, Trumbull Seminar Room
   

   If you came last week, or if you didn’t, come learn about

5. Election Day Registration Forum
   Thursday, March 5 - Law School Room 128
   

   A Forum on Election Day Registration in Connecticut. There is a bill currently pending before the state legislature that would allow students and other citizens to register to vote at their polling place. Here to discuss this important election issue will be legislators from the Government Administration and Elections Committee as well as representatives from Common Cause. Dinner will be served. Co-sponsored by the Yale College Democrats, Yale College Republicans, YLS Democrats and YLS Republicans.

6. Happy Hour
   
   Thursday, March 5 - VA-51
   

   Come relax with the Dems as we celebrate spring break, President Obama, or life in general.