GOV. LAMONT OUTLINES AGENDA IN STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS AS ADVOCATES CALL FOR BOLD LEGISLATIVE ACTION IN 2025

 

Gov. Lamont during his 2025 State of State address. Photo, CTN

LEE ESTE REPORTAJE EN ESPAÑOL DANDO CLICK AQUÍ

Hartford, CT.-  In his 2025 State of the State address on Wednesday, Governor Ned Lamont urged lawmakers to keep Connecticut’s economic momentum going, focusing on job growth, infrastructure, and educational opportunities. At the same time, activists and union leaders expressed hope that the session will bring transformative changes to the state’s fiscal priorities, healthcare system, and workers' rights, underscoring the need for bold action on issues that affect communities across Connecticut. 

Standing before a packed Chamber, Lamont highlighted Connecticut’s economic progress, citing a significant increase in federal infrastructure investments and the state’s performance in job creation. He pointed to initiatives like the student debt reimbursement program, designed to attract talent, and advancements in the housing sector, where more homes have been built than in recent years.



“We have significantly increased the minimum wage – and no that was not a job killer; we have more private sector jobs than ever before. We made it easier to start a family with one of the nation’s most robust paid family and medical leave programs, and yes, it is solvent.” 



Yet, as Lamont outlined his vision for the state’s future, activists and union leaders watching from the sidelines saw the opportunity to push for even more ambitious policy changes in areas they believe are vital to Connecticut’s long-term well-being. Among the loudest voices are those of labor unions and advocacy groups who are calling for systemic changes to address deep-rooted inequality, healthcare gaps, and economic instability. 

A Focus on Education and Equity Governor 

Lamont emphasized education as a critical pillar for future success, announcing plans to build on last year’s efforts by expanding access to early childhood care and increasing investments in K-12 education. 



“We must make it less expensive to become a teacher and get young teacher aids in the classroom. We also have more counselors at our schools, and I am told that getting smartphones out of the classroom has been incredible for learning and good for the soul. Let’s keep that progress going,” Lamont said. “We’re doing outreach to get more men into teaching. Statistically, boys are most likely to be the disconnected youth. A few more male mentors in the classroom – and coaching – just might help. What say you, Education Committee?”. 



The governor also addressed the state's growing higher education challenges. 
“Our debt-free community college program makes access easier, but innovation is overdue. We must develop a balance between traditional classroom experience and more dual enrollment, stackable credentials, and flexible, online classes”. 



Advocates like Norma Martinez, director of CTFA, who represents thousands of workers across the state, emphasized that labor and community organizations are advocating for a more equitable approach to education that spans the entire pipeline from childcare to higher education. 



“Trump talked about dismantling the education department. You know that's the education department… nationally supports Title 10,” Martinez said. "They have a lot of oversight around funding for programs in schools of high needs, and so, you know, that is a threat." 
Martinez also underscored the importance of addressing the inequities within Connecticut’s educational system. With many communities struggling under rising costs, she stressed that it’s time for the state to prioritize equitable funding that reaches underserved areas. 
“Right now, low-income and middle-income people are paying a higher percentage of their income in taxes than most of our wealthy, and we think that this needs to be fixed as well, so we will be addressing that in our in our work also”, Martinez added. 

Expanding Healthcare Access 

Governor Lamont acknowledged the rising healthcare costs consuming both family budgets and the state's finances, stressing the need for bold action to address the growing affordability crisis. 

“The Trump administration is rumored to be cutting back on healthcare subsidies for Medicaid and Obamacare, which will hit working families and small businesses hard”, Lamont said. “Access Health CT is working to extend the individual benefits of being on the exchange to small businesses, and the Comptroller is working with the private sector to encourage our workers to seek hospitalization where they get the best quality at the best value”. 

Then he continued, “Simultaneously, pharma costs have significantly increased as a share of our healthcare spend, and costs of hospital services have continued to rise. We have a kitchen cabinet working on healthcare affordability – that’s Deidre, Claudio, Andrea, Sean, and John Driscoll. We have an open door, big table, come join us."

Martinez’s group and other advocates have been pushing for Connecticut to expand its Husky Healthcare program to cover all residents, regardless of immigration status. 
“We're also looking at the expansion of Husky for immigrants, and then also something of addressing the housing crisis. And so those are the kinds of investments that we think that need to be better those are the kinds of programs that need to be better funded, funded so that we could have a more equitable Connecticut”. 




Economic Justice: Fair Wages and New Revenue Sources 

According to Lamont, Connecticut’s economy is growing, with new investments driving infrastructure projects, job creation, attracting companies and skilled workers, and highlighting initiatives like the student debt reimbursement program to encourage young professionals to stay. 

However, advocates contend that the benefits of this growth haven’t reached all communities of the state. For labor groups, the call for fair wages and a living wage is urgent. Martinez said that many workers are still struggling to make ends meet despite the increase in the minimum wage. Inflation continues to erode the purchasing power of working families, and many workers in essential sectors, including healthcare and public service, remain underpaid. 




“Families are paying more and more, and these are families that are already living paycheck to paycheck,” Martinez said. “We just think that as we're making budget decisions, that should be the primary concern and focus of the governor and the legislators to really think about the kinds of investments and support for communities in need”. 



Lamont did not specifically address wage increases in his address, but he did speak about the importance of maintaining Connecticut’s fiscal health, emphasizing the need to balance investments in growth with responsible budgeting. 




Martinez and other advocates are also calling for new revenue sources to fund essential services. They argue that Connecticut’s tax system should be adjusted to ensure that the wealthiest residents contribute their fair share, helping close the funding gap for critical social programs. 




Navigating Federal Shifts: Protecting Workers’ Rights 

Looking ahead, advocates are also bracing for the incoming Trump administration and the speculations of federal rollbacks of labor rights and funding for social services. Martinez expressed concern that the new federal leadership could threaten organized labor and undermine progress on workers' rights. 

“The federal government has some control, you know, like the National Protection of Workers, through the NLRB. There are concerns around how the incoming administration may change laws and policies that would make it harder for workers to be unionized.” 

Governor Lamont, while acknowledging the changing political landscape, expressed his willingness to work with the new Trump administration, and protect Connecticut's values. 

“In two weeks we say hello to President Donald Trump 2.0. This is a time of hope, sadness, and uncertainty”, Lamont sasid. “Over the next month or two, we should have more insights into how the changing relationship with the new administration will affect our budget and our people, but for today let’s focus on what we can do to build on the progress we’ve made over the last six years.” 

The Road Ahead: Unity in Action 

As the state begins its 2025 legislative session, both Governor Lamont and advocates share a common understanding of the challenges ahead. 
Advocates like Martinez are hoping for transformative steps that will put Connecticut on a path toward a more equitable future. “Now is the time for bold action,” Martinez said. “We’ll be holding lawmakers accountable, and we’ll be here, every step of the way, fighting for our communities.”