This week, the Ryans bring on special guest, Connecticut State Senator James Maroney. They ask Sen. Maroney about his role in shaping artificial intelligence (AI) policy in the state of Connecticut and beyond. They also talk about his path to public service, the importance of collaboration, where things stand in Connecticut's current legislative session, and even how Connecticut has better pizza than New York and New Jersey! Tune in for an excellent discussion.

About Sen. Maroney, Deputy Majority Leader of the CT Senate:

James Maroney was first elected to represent the 14th District (Milford) in 2018.

Before being elected to the Senate, he was a State Representative for the 119th District from 2012-2014, where he served on the Higher Education Committee. Due to his distinguished service on the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, he was asked to serve on the Planning Commission for Higher Education and help develop a strategic plan for higher education in Connecticut.

Prior to politics, Sen. Maroney was a past president and founding member of the Milford Education Foundation and also served on the Milford Board of Education. A proud and active participant in the community, he is a member and past president of the Devon Rotary, where he is the co-chair of the scholarship committee.

Sen. Maroney founded First Choice College Placement in January of 1999 which aims to make young people’s higher education dreams come to fruition. First Choice College Placement also makes community service a priority and offers a number of educational seminars, donates to scholarships, and makes practice SAT and ACT tests available to the community. First Choice is a member of the Milford Chamber of Commerce and the Downtown Milford Business Association.

Prior to a successful career in public service, State Senator Maroney attended Yale (Class of 96), where he was a 3-time varsity letter winner in both track and field and cross-country. In his senior year, he was elected captain of the track and field team and was awarded the Yale Men’s Cross-Country Award for Performance and Dedication. He graduated from Jonathan Law High School of Milford in 1992.

Senator Maroney lives in Milford with his wife Jennifer and his son Jay.

His committee assignments:

• Chair: General Law
• Vice Chair: Veterans’ Affairs
• Ranking Member: Regulation Review
• Member: Finance, Revenue & Bonding; Higher Education & Employment Advancement; Energy and Technology

Learn more: https://www.senatedems.ct.gov/senator/james-maroney/bio