The Senate voted 35-1 on Tuesday to appoint Michael Bzdyra to become the state’s next Department of Motor Vehicles commissioner, despite his admission that he doesn’t hold a master’s degree.
Bzdyra admitted last week that he doesn’t hold a master’s degree in public affairs even though his resume says he does. He is currently two courses shy of earning the degree he claimed he had received at the University of Connecticut in 1994. He said he is trying to determine whether the credits were properly counted and will go back and earn the credits if it turns out it’s necessary.
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano, R-North Haven, said Bzdyra “took it on the chin” when the news broke that he didn’t have a master’s degree from the University of Connecticut. “But I talked to Mike over the weekend and he told he he’s going to go back and get that degree.’’
“He’s a good man,” Fasano said.
Sen. Steve Cassano, D-Manchester, said that Bzdyra is “obsessed” with doing a good job.
Both Fasano and Cassano applauded Bzdyra’s work ethic.
Bzdyra, of Wallingford, has been with the DMV since 2011. Malloy nominated him for the post on March 16.
Bzdyra most recent job was deputy commissioner under Andres Ayala, who resigned in January following criticism over the implementation of a new computer system that led to the erroneous suspension of vehicle registrations and widespread service delays.
Prior to that, Bzdyra worked as a government liaison for the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority.
The Senate vote on Bzdyra’s appointment is final. The resolution does not need approval in the House.