Malloy Will Review Rell’s Late Judicial Appointments.

Democratic gubernatorial candidate Dan Malloy tells Daily Ructions he’ll review any interim judicial appointments lame duck incumbent M. Lisa Moody Jodi Rell makes in the waning weeks of her administration.  In order to get nine (9) white lawyers with political connections appointed last spring, Rell agreed to nominate some minority lawyers to the bench before she exits her office in January. Those nominations are expected soon, but may include another round of political favorites.

Those “Friends of Lisa” may not, however, be appointed for a full 8-year term in January if front running Malloy wins in November.  Mr. Malloy said Thursday afternoon that Mrs. Rell has the right to nominate judges until January 5th.  Any Rell appointments would require approval by the legislature’s Judiciary Committee.  Unless the legislature took them up in a special session this fall–and Democrats would have no incentive to do that–the appointments would have to be re-submitted by the new governor.

Mr. Malloy will apply his own standard of review if he’s elected, and it’s different than Mrs. Rell’s.  That would include budget considerations, but he “can’t guarantee where it fits in.  It would be a factor.”  He believes a fast-acting and vibrant judiciary is important.  In a major change in policy from the Rell administration, Malloy “would weigh what the judicial branch says it needs.”  That would be bad news indeed for any last-minute cronies elevated to the bench.

The former Stamford mayor, fresh off a landslide victory over Ned Lamont and with $6 million of taxpayer money funding his campaign, sounded vigorous and realistic about the challenges ahead.  ”Winning a primary is liberating,” he said, giving him “more room to be specific.”  He chastised Republican opponent To Foley for his gossamer proposals and what Republicans used to call “fuzzy math.”  Mr. Malloy points out that Mr. Foley’s proposed spending cuts would not come close to closing the projected budget deficits the new governor will confront.

Mr. Malloy sounded dubious that current budget projections will prove accurate when January arrives, which suggests he understands the storm ahead.