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Finch, who is heading into the contentious Sept. 16 Democratic mayoral primary, said his plan will increase access to pre-K, promote a higher minimum wage and increase access to broadband Internet, according to his campaign.
“As chief executive of our city, I’m focused on making smart investments for the future,” Finch said in a letter released by his campaign. “That’s why I’m committed to taking action that will create opportunities for Bridgeport residents to thrive in the 21st century.”
In an effort to help grow the city's middle class, Finch said he has “strongly supported” Gov. Dannel Malloy’s efforts to pass a $10.10 minimum wage. He has also pledged to pay all city employees $10.10 an hour before that law takes effect, according to his campaign.
Walsh also touched upon the income gap in the United States.
“It’s going to be up to the mayors of the cities of America to close that gap,” Walsh said to the small contingent of dignitaries and owners of B:Hive who gathered in a bright room decorated with antique furniture and Bridgeport memorabilia.
Finch also expressed his support for giving all Bridgeport residents access to pre-K programs. More than 90 percent of 3- to 4-year-olds now have access those programs, according to his campaign.
Finch has widely touted his school building program that he says will create 3,000 construction jobs. He stopped by the former site of a General Electric manufacturing plant last week, where the city just broke ground on a replacement for Harding High School.
Walsh also used the opportunity to express his support for Finch’s re-election campaign. The stop was, after all, billed as a campaign event.
“Mayor Finch is my friend, and I’m here to support him for re-election,” Walsh said.
In the primary, Finch is facing off against former Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim and Mary-Jane Foster, whose campaign headquarters happens to be across the street from B:Hive.
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