Governor Ned Lamont praised Connecticut lawmakers for passing a two-year state budget on time. Lamont spoke to the General Assembly after the state legislative session ended at midnight on Wednesday.
Lamont told lawmakers that it’s very important to the state’s cities and towns that they were able to pass a budget on time.
“And we did that with a budget that we held the line on spending. We showed that we could live within our means. We told the mayors, ‘look we can’t give you much more,’ but we held the line on municipal aid. We gave a little more money for education. Not just to invest in our kids but to hold the line on property taxes as well.”
Republicans disagree. Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano said Democrats used gimmicks to balance the $43 billion two-year state budget.
“So for him to say he got the budget on time before session ends is not exactly the message you want when it's not a complete budget.”
Lawmakers have unfinished business. Lamont wants them back for a special session to discuss highway tolls. Republicans want to borrow money to fund transportation infrastructure.
Nevertheless, the governor does have his first regular legislative session behind him.
House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said he gives Lamont a B+ for legislative achievement.
“For a first term governor coming into a legislative process, I’m telling you average is a C. And they’ve excelled in a number of areas. I cannot give the governor’s office enough credit to lock down on the hospital deal. That was something that eluded previous administrations and the legislature for eight years.”
The hospital deal resolved hundreds of millions of dollars of legal claims against Connecticut by hospitals.
Republicans criticized Lamont’s legislative inexperience.
