Governor Ned Lamont (D-Conn.), the state’s 89th governor, delivered his annual State of the State address last week at the Hall of the House of Representatives in Hartford. During his address, he discussed topics such as schooling, budgeting and population growth, reflecting on the policies he has implemented during his time in this role.
Eight months ago, Lamont announced a two-year budget proposal which promised a larger budget to childcare, K-12 education, universities, workforce training and nonprofits while also cutting a small percent of taxes for middle class residents. This is an attempt by Lamont to improve Connecticut’s educational system after the pandemic, as many were only left with the option of not attending school with an all-time high of 117,513, as reported by CT Insider.
Recently, there has been an uptick in people moving to Connecticut. In 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, the state saw an increase of approximately 57,000 migrants from other states. This increase has exacerbated an already-existing housing shortage.
To combat the issue, the state has developed a model with the Capital Region Development Authority to create low-cost housing with increased speed. So far, the state has started in Hartford with more than 5,000 homes built or currently under construction.
On the matter, Lamont said “Today, multi-family housing is being built on empty parking lots and in half empty office buildings, and old brownfields are being remediated into a new community where your child or grandparent can afford to live.”
Lamont is also pushing for more transit-oriented communities, and explaining why, said “Each new rail bridge can save two to three minutes per ride, as trains will no longer have to slow down to travel over 100-year-old bridges. Count how many bridges you cross on your commute and figure out how much time you saved.”
Mental health services were given $350 million to increase attention on services catered toward addiction and mental health, as well as to provide students’ support.
Lamont asked residents where they feel the annual budget needs to be delegated, seeking to ensure that the funds make a difference in the lives of those living in the state without allotting more money toward causes that may require less than others.
Lamont, who has previously acknowledged the amount of Connecticut residents living paycheck-to-paycheck, also announced a ten percent tax cut for middle class families, as well as a larger tax credit for essential workers and working families. According to Lisa Tepper Bates, CEO of United Way of Connecticut, “Even before the pandemic, 38% of CT residents were living paycheck to paycheck or falling behind.”
