Last fall, after United Technologies Corp. announced it would spin off its Otis Elevator and Carrier divisions, then Governor-elect Ned Lamont vowed he would watch the Farmington-based conglomerate "like a hawk" to retain its workforce in Connecticut.

But this weekend's news that UTC would merge with Raytheon Co., and move its headquarters to Waltham, MA., came with little advanced notice to the Lamont administration.

But should it have been all that surprising? Especially given the draw of major economic hubs like Boston, and what some see as a lack of priority by the General Assembly to adequately address the state's relatively stagnant job growth over the past decade?

Today, with Lucy Nalpathanchil from WNPR's Where We Live in the host seat, we assess the political and economic ramifications of UTC's plans. What lessons can the state learn from this latest hit?

We also grade the governor on his ability to herd the General Assembly during the regular legislative session. And we preview the special session likely to be gaveled in later this summer.

Last fall, after United Technologies Corp. announced it would <a href="https://www.wnpr.org/post/united-technologies-break-itself-three-standalone-businesses">spin off its Otis Elevator and Carrier divisions</a>, then Governor-elect Ned Lamont vowed he would watch the Farmington-based conglomerate "like a hawk" to retain its workforce in Connecticut.
But this weekend's news that <a href="https://www.courant.com/business/hc-biz-utc-raytheon-hayes-20190610-oyoqh3hkeva3fpqv3v2l5rosru-story.html">UTC would merge with Raytheon Co.</a>, and move its headquarters to Waltham, MA., came with little advanced notice to the Lamont administration.
But should it have been all that surprising? Especially given the <a href="https://www.ctinsider.com/business/danhaar/ctpost/article/Dan-Haar-UTC-loss-is-alarming-but-not-a-13966873.php">draw of major economic hubs like Boston</a>, and <a href="https://ctmirror.org/2019/06/12/utcs-exit-relief-recriminations-but-little-introspection/">what some see as a lack of priority by the General Assembly</a> to adequately address the state's relatively stagnant job growth over the past decade?
Today, with Lucy Nalpathanchil from <a href="https://www.wnpr.org/programs/where-we-live">WNPR's Where We Live</a> in the host seat, we assess the political and economic ramifications of UTC's plans. What lessons can the state learn from this latest hit?
We also <a href="https://www.ctnewsjunkie.com/archives/entry/20190611_op-ed_the_gentleman_governor_gets_the_gentlemans_c/">grade the governor</a> on his ability to herd the General Assembly during the regular legislative session. And we preview the special session likely to be gaveled in later this summer.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

If you’re a news junkie — or maybe just news curious, we’ve got your weekly dose of Connecticut politics, tackling everything from tax cuts to human composting. Amplifying important local and national voices, The Wheelhouse walks listeners through the most important political stories of the week.  You’ll hear from well-known political reporters, academics, and local journalists across Connecticut’s 169 cities and towns.

Connecticut's best journalists come out of the political trenches every Wednesday to join us on WNPR's weekly news roundtable The Wheelhouse.