Lamont backs embattled PURA chief reappointment
FAIRFIELD – Whether it’s DEI-related programs, housing, or education, Gov. Ned Lamont likes to refer to related federal funding cuts and changes as the Trump administration’s “incoming” – as in mortar shells.
“I like where we are as a state right now,” Lamont told a crowd of more than 300 at the Leo D. Mahoney Arena on Fairfield University campus during a meeting of southern Connecticut chambers of commerce. “We got a lot incoming, a lot we can control and an awful lot we don’t control. But that’s what we got to deal with.”
Then, he showed his frustration with the President’s war on diversity, equity and inclusion that could cost public schools, colleges, universities in Connecticut millions in already awarded federal grants.
“Frankly, I don’t know what the incoming is from Washington, D.C.,” the governor told the gathering of small business owners, chambers of commerce, and executives of major corporations. “You’re yanking all of our grants. Whatever you think of Joe Biden, he had DEI in an awful number of his federal grants. Now President Trump said he doesn’t like DEI, and he wants to take that out of all of the grants and cut the funding. You see that happening at some of the universities. (See related story, Sacred Heart University loses $3.38M grant.)
He explained how such widespread cuts in federal funding could affect Medicaid expense reimbursements.
“Let’s say we have $8 (billion)-$9 billion in Medicaid expenses,” he said. “Half of that is related to the federal government. We get a 50-50 match. If all of sudden they say we’re going to change that, we’re going to cap that, we’re going to cut that to 60-40(%), 70-30(%), that’s hundreds of millions of dollars we got to deal with.”
He mentioned that the state has a robust rainy day fund that is in place to help the state make its way through a possible recession, but not for anything long term that Trump is already starting to put in place via executive order.
“I like where we are,” Lamont said. “We have a $4-plus billion rainy day fund. That can’t solve for world peace. But it can solve for recession, if it might come, even a short-term government shutdown. It allows us to manage some of the unpredictability out there.”
What to do about housing
While the volatility of Washington, D.C., is certainly something he cannot control, Lamont did pontificate about something the state can control. It’s providing more housing for the workforce.
“The only thing holding this state back from real economic growth is the fact there’s not enough places for people to live,” Lamont said. “And it’s not like they always wanted to move to Connecticut. We were losing people for a generation of so. Right now, our population is picking up.
“The only thing slowing us down is housing. I hear this from every employer I talk to: ‘I need workforce housing. I need a place for folks to live. I need a place for single people to live.’ It’s not two acres and six bedrooms, but how about a single bedroom in a downtown area. I want more of that growth put forth.”
He mentioned that the state is building about 70% more housing today than it did about six years ago, with most of the progress in major cities.
As for helping suburbs catch up to cities, Lamont pointed out Fairfield First Selectman Bill Gerber and Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim.
“We’re working very closely with Bill (Gerber) of Fairfield and doing everything we can to make sure you decide where you want housing to go,” Lamont said. “I want this to be led by local control. I have a bill in the legislature that says, look, you tell us where you want housing to go. I assume it would be near a bus stop or train station. But you decide where you want that to be.
“You zone that accordingly, and I give you relief from things like (affordable housing statute) 8-30(g), which are out there to put pressure on our communities to build a little more housing.”
Gerber is appreciative of what Lamont has done for his town.
“Gov. Lamont has led Connecticut through some difficult times confronting some of our most complex fiscal issues head on, laying the foundation for an increasingly brighter economic future for Connecticut and doing so with reason and composure.”
In Fairfield, we try to follow the governor’s lead confronting issues head on and supporting economic growth with a focus on creating opportunities for those to choose to live, learn, and work in our amazing town.”
Also, Lamont told Ganim he was impressed with all the progress being made at the Steelpointe Harbor project, which will include a new apartment building, mixed-use retail, and a hotel in the next couple of years.
The annual breakfast meeting with the governor was co-hosted by several business organizations. The include: the Bridgeport Regional Business Council, the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, the Monroe Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Greater Bridgeport, and the Southern Connecticut Black Chamber of Commerce.
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