Newsletter Volume 3 • Number 34
“God, the economy, and President Trump willing,” Lamont says
Under the shadow of chaotic pronouncements from Washington D.C., Governor Ned Lamont unveiled budgetary priorities last week that focus on improving the lives of working class people, as the CT general assembly began setting its two-year budget. Recalling his January State of the State address, “I pledged that opportunity and affordability would be our north star,” Lamont told statehouse members.
Making childcare more affordable
Lamont’s signature proposal is aimed at creating a new preschool endowment to make “pre-K and early childhood education affordable and accessible for all of our kids,” he said. A lack of affordable preschool options can make it hard for families to get ahead, especially if one parent sacrifices salary and career to provide childcare.
The funds would come from depositing a portion of the state’s anticipated surpluses over the next several years, driven by thestate’s recent strong economic growth.
A plan to eliminate application licensing fees will save money to help the 180,000 teachers, nurses, paramedics, physical and occupational therapists, dental hygienists, plumbers, and electricians.
Reducing prescription drug costs
Healthcare costs in CT are rising faster than household incomes. To meet this challenge, Lamont introduced legislation to lower prescription drug prices. His bill includes components to:
- Allow patients to claim low-cost drug purchases toward their deductibles
- Limit annual generic drug price increases to inflation
- Establish a pathway for safe Canadian prescription drug imports, unless Trump tariffs kill this option.
“Skyrocketing drug prices are forcing too many people into impossible choices, like skipping doses or cutting pills in half. That’s just wrong and it must end,” said Comptroller Sean Scanlon.
For homeowners, Lamont proposed a small tax break that would most benefit people earning $100,000 or less. To offset the effect of that on towns, he proposed increasing municipal aid by $230 million.
And to help towns with the rising cost of special education, something Greenwich has seen skyrocket, Lamont proposes capping out of district costs to private providers and making $14 million in grants available to districts to help shoulder the costs.
The ‘elephant’ in the room
All these plans to help working people in need might be for naught if the White House slashes and burns. “We have no idea how the feds will impact Medicaid costs,” Lamont said, as an example. If D.C. stops funding critical state programs, he noted, “It could cost our state hundreds of millions of dollars.”
Read or watch the governor’s budget address here.
In win-win-win, Board of Ed will fix geothermal at Hamilton Avenue school
After years of debate and number crunching, the Board of Education (BOE) has voted decisively to fix the broken geothermal heating and cooling system at Hamilton Avenue School. The 6-0-1 vote marks a significant shift from previous discussions which favored scrapping it for a natural gas system. The change came after consultations with energy and construction experts, a thorough financial review, and a commitment by dedicated volunteer citizens to making the best decision for taxpayers.
Long term cost savings for taxpayers
At its core, this decision is about fiscal responsibility.
- The town stands to save significantly over the next quarter century. The upfront costs of geo penciled out at $4.56 million, only slightly higher than gas fired HVAC, at $4.44 million. But long term, geo’s projected annual energy cost savings are 24% per year
- Geo shields the town from unpredictable energy costs. Natural gas prices have risen 57% in the last two years and are expected to continue increasing
- Geo eliminates the need for the temporary air conditioningunit currently in use, which rents for $20,000 per month and has generated noise complaints from neighbors.
Supporting environmental goals
This investment aligns with the town’s longstanding commitment to reduce energy use. The goal is to cut energy usage 20-40% by 2030, and the Board of Education’s own policies emphasize the importance of energy conservation. Yet energy costs across town facilities have increased by 23% in the past two years, largely due to the volatility of fossil fuel prices. This decision is a step toward reversing that trend, while reducing our reliance on polluting technologies.
The power of bipartisan problem solving
The outcome is also testament to what can be achieved when residents work together. The town legislature twice passed measures signaling their concern that renewable energy be seriously considered by the BOE. Now, under the leadership of Democrat Karen Hirsh, the BOE has made informed, responsible choices benefitting taxpayers today and for decades to come.
Next steps: Your voice matters
This funding request still needs approval from the BET and RTM. So, if you think, like we do, that geothermal is the right choice for this project, please make your voice heard.
What we’re reading
Greenwich Time columnist David Rafferty decries Senator Fazio’s proposed bill to revoke the CT TRUST Act. That act prevents local police agencies from assisting ICE in conducting raids unless they involve a prior felony conviction or genuine terror threats.
Moreover, Rafferty writes, “No school has yet been raided, mostly thanks to decades-old federal sanctuary policies protecting schools and churches, (but) the current administration recently overturned that policy, making the first school roundups inevitable. And to help clear a runway for that to happen in Greenwich, look no further than Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio.” Read it here.
Action Calendar
February 19. Get inspired.
Greenwich Democrats monthly meeting. You won’t want to miss this one. Special guest speaker, Patti Russo, Executive Director of The Campaign School at Yale, will get us fired up about the upcoming municipal elections. When Patti speaks, winning doesn’t just feel possible, it feels inevitable. 7:30-9:00 p.m., Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room.
| Volume 3, Number 34 • February 13, 2025 |
| Paid for by the Greenwich Democratic Town Committee. |
| Greenwich Democratic Town Committee P.O. Box 126 Greenwich, CT 06836 |