William O'Neill (Connecticut politician)
Encyclopedia
William Atchison O'Neill (August 11, 1930 November 24, 2007) was a twentieth century U.S.
political figure, most notably as the 84th Governor of Connecticut from 1980 to 1991.
Born in Hartford
, Connecticut
, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1978 on a Democratic ticket along with Governor Ella Grasso. When Grasso resigned for health reasons in December 1980, O'Neill became Governor. O'Neill was elected to a full term in 1982 and re-elected in 1986.
Prior to serving as Lieutenant Governor O'Neill served as the state representative from East Hampton
, Connecticut
, where he owned a restaurant.
O'Neill benefited from the economic boom Connecticut
enjoyed during the 1980s when the state's job growth was at a recent historic peak. The state enjoyed large budget surpluses in this era. His large re-election victory in 1986 over Lowell Weicker ally Julie Belaga
had an effect on the state legislature, which gained large majorities of liberal
Democrats eager to expand state government, such as House Speaker Irving Stolberg. By 1989 the state's finances were in precarious condition, requiring a major tax increase.
The 1990 recession hit Connecticut very hard, with the real estate, banking and defense industries all faltering with resultant job losses and tax revenue losses. Facing plummeting approval ratings and a budget situation continuing to deteriorate despite the 1989 tax hike, O'Neill decided in early 1990 to bow out of a re-election bid. O'Neill was the last Democrat to serve as governor of Connecticut prior to Dannel Patrick Malloy, who took the oath of office at the William A. O'Neill Armory in Hartford on January 5, 2011.
O'Neill died from emphysema
on November 24, 2007 at the age of 77. He was eulogized by his fellow Connecticut politicians as Trumanesque. "I always thought the secret to his success was that he was genuine," said John Droney
, who was chairman of the state Democratic party during O'Neill's last term. "He was honest. And he projected the image of an ordinary man called upon to do extraordinary things. He was, in my view, the Harry Truman of Connecticut." http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-woneill-1124,0,3461017.story?coll=hc_tab01_layout Republican state chairman Chris Healy called O'Neill "a good and decent man who served his state and country with distinction."
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
political figure, most notably as the 84th Governor of Connecticut from 1980 to 1991.
Born in Hartford
Hartford, Connecticut
Hartford is the capital of the U.S. state of Connecticut. The seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960, it is the second most populous city on New England's largest river, the Connecticut River. As of the 2010 Census, Hartford's population was 124,775, making...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of Connecticut in 1978 on a Democratic ticket along with Governor Ella Grasso. When Grasso resigned for health reasons in December 1980, O'Neill became Governor. O'Neill was elected to a full term in 1982 and re-elected in 1986.
Prior to serving as Lieutenant Governor O'Neill served as the state representative from East Hampton
East Hampton, Connecticut
East Hampton is a town in Middlesex County, Connecticut, United States. The population was 13,352 at the 2000 census. The town center village is listed as a census-designated place...
, Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
, where he owned a restaurant.
O'Neill benefited from the economic boom Connecticut
Connecticut
Connecticut is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by Rhode Island to the east, Massachusetts to the north, and the state of New York to the west and the south .Connecticut is named for the Connecticut River, the major U.S. river that approximately...
enjoyed during the 1980s when the state's job growth was at a recent historic peak. The state enjoyed large budget surpluses in this era. His large re-election victory in 1986 over Lowell Weicker ally Julie Belaga
Julie Belaga
Julie D. Belaga is a former Connecticut politician. She served in the Connecticut House of Representatives from 1977 until 1987. She chose not to seek re-election to her seat in 1986 in order to seek the 1986 Republican nomination for governor....
had an effect on the state legislature, which gained large majorities of liberal
Liberalism
Liberalism is the belief in the importance of liberty and equal rights. Liberals espouse a wide array of views depending on their understanding of these principles, but generally, liberals support ideas such as constitutionalism, liberal democracy, free and fair elections, human rights,...
Democrats eager to expand state government, such as House Speaker Irving Stolberg. By 1989 the state's finances were in precarious condition, requiring a major tax increase.
The 1990 recession hit Connecticut very hard, with the real estate, banking and defense industries all faltering with resultant job losses and tax revenue losses. Facing plummeting approval ratings and a budget situation continuing to deteriorate despite the 1989 tax hike, O'Neill decided in early 1990 to bow out of a re-election bid. O'Neill was the last Democrat to serve as governor of Connecticut prior to Dannel Patrick Malloy, who took the oath of office at the William A. O'Neill Armory in Hartford on January 5, 2011.
O'Neill died from emphysema
Emphysema
Emphysema is a long-term, progressive disease of the lungs that primarily causes shortness of breath. In people with emphysema, the tissues necessary to support the physical shape and function of the lungs are destroyed. It is included in a group of diseases called chronic obstructive pulmonary...
on November 24, 2007 at the age of 77. He was eulogized by his fellow Connecticut politicians as Trumanesque. "I always thought the secret to his success was that he was genuine," said John Droney
John Droney
John Droney is a Connecticut politician and lawyer. He is the senior partner of Levy & Droney, a large law firm based in Farmington, Connecticut.-Career:...
, who was chairman of the state Democratic party during O'Neill's last term. "He was honest. And he projected the image of an ordinary man called upon to do extraordinary things. He was, in my view, the Harry Truman of Connecticut." http://www.courant.com/news/custom/topnews/hcu-woneill-1124,0,3461017.story?coll=hc_tab01_layout Republican state chairman Chris Healy called O'Neill "a good and decent man who served his state and country with distinction."