Ned Lamont is an American business owner and politician serving as the 89th governor of Connecticut. He has served in this position since January 9, 2019. Lamont and his wife Annie live in Hartford, and the couple has three children. He ran for the United States Senate in 2006, winning the Democratic primary, but losing the general election. Lamont ran for governor in 2010 but lost the Democratic primary. He ran again in 2018, winning the nomination and defeating Republican Bob Stefanowski in the general election.

His running mate, Susan Bysiewicz, is an American politician and attorney, the 109th lieutenant governor of Connecticut, serving since January 9, 2019. She previously served as the 72nd secretary of the state, from 1999 to 2011. Bysiewicz and her husband, David Donaldson, reside in Middletown, and the couple has three children.

Tribuna submitted the following questions to both candidates. Their responses have not been edited.

TRIBUNA: How should the State of Connecticut address new immigrants coming to Connecticut with regard to the services offered and information provided to them?

Lamont: I am proud that Connecticut is the most welcoming state in the country - and I’ve worked tirelessly to ensure that every family has the opportunity to succeed. Our historic investments in workforce development, small business support, and education ensure every resident has the chance to build a life here. We expanded HUSKY for children and new mothers while delivering pandemic assistance regardless of immigration status. And we provided help with rising costs when families needed it most, including $660 million in tax cuts, a child tax rebate, and free bus service. 

I’m eager to continue working with community leaders to make these services available and widely known, sharing information with people who will benefit from them through sources they trust.

TRIBUNA: Connecticut has recently seen a budget surplus due to federal pandemic funding and specific budgetary measures in place in the last several fiscal years. What is the best use of revenue above the projected budget estimates in a fiscal year?

Lamont: When I first took office, Connecticut was standing at the edge of a fiscal cliff – looking at a $3 billion deficit – and trapped in a chronic fiscal crisis. We held the line on reckless spending, and because of that, we’ve been able to do some incredible things. We made historic investments in workforce development, providing pandemic and inflation relief, supported our schools, and passed the largest tax cut in Connecticut history – all while paying down our debt, saving billions for our children and grandchildren.

TRIBUNA: Danbury has been historically underfunded in its Educational Cost Sharing from the State of Connecticut. What needs to happen at the state level to ensure proper funding?

Lamont: Historically underfunded communities are at the forefront of my administration and all of our policies. The budgets we built serve a dual purpose – getting our fiscal house in order and closing achievement gaps that have persisted for far too long. Holding the line on reckless spending allowed us to provide more fiscal support to cities and towns, with $525 million for increased Payment-in-Lieu-of-Taxes and Education Cost Sharing grants. In Danbury, we’ve allocated $131.2 million to help build the city’s new career academy. There’s still work to do, and if we are committed to closing the achievement gap, we’ve got to continue being fiscally responsible so that we can make targeted investments in what matters most– an opportunity for all.

TRIBUNA: There have been significant legal proceedings at the federal level concerning Roe vs. Wade, yet Connecticut has odified the right to an abortion in state law. What is your stance on changing Connecticut's position, and if so, how?

Lamont: We are always striving to be the most family-friendly state in the country; that means you decide when it’s time to start your family– no politician should have a say in that. We expanded protections for a woman's right to choose, established paid family leave so you can take care of your new baby, and through HUSKY, established pre and postnatal care for mothers, regardless of immigration status. While my record shows I will stand up for women, my opponent is being supported by people who want to put politics between a woman and her doctor and dictate what she has to do with her body. That will never happen while I’m here – not on my watch.

TRIBUNA: A message for our readers?

Lamont: Nearly four years ago, we were standing at the edges of a fiscal cliff; today our state is in the midst of a renaissance. There’s a world of opportunity out there, and I want to make sure it doesn’t pass anybody by– regardless of zip code or background or gender or age– there’s a job out there for you right now. As we continue to get our fiscal house in order, we’ll keep making targeted investments in communities that were passed by for too long and creating opportunities for everyone to sit at the table.