Governor-Elect Ned Lamont Wins Tough Job
“I recognize the significant burden unfunded mandates and property tax exemptions impose on municipalities,” Lamont says
F
or the first time in eight years, the state of Connecticut will have a new administration. Ned Lamont won in a hard fought battle over Bob Stefanowski, the Republican, and Oz Griebel, who ran as an Independent. Before the election, CCM had asked all of the gubernatorial candidates their views on a number of issues and held the final gubernatorial debate at the 2018 CCM annual convention. Based on the governor-elect’s answers in these forums, we can take a look at Lamont’s priorities and the challenges facing the state and new governor. One of Lamont’s campaign pledges, in addition to avoiding raising income taxes, was to help municipalities curb over-reliance of the property tax and the underfunded Payments-in-Lieu-of-Taxes (PILOT). In the questionnaire, he states that he will prioritize “shared services and regional cooperation,” and “champion an effort to properly fund state formula aid to municipali4 | CONNECTICUT TOWN & CITY | NOVEMBER 2018
ties.” While the Governor-Elect doesn’t get to the finer details, much of his efforts seem directed at the fact that making sure what is promised to municipalities is given to municipalities. This is most evident in his response to a question on PILOT payments, when he says that he will negotiate the budget transparently to prevent “last-minute raids” on these funds. In these areas, Lamont can be a powerful ally to Connecticut towns and cities. By ensuring the stability of initiatives like PILOT and Education Cost Sharing (ECS), municipalities can be more assured of their budgets without having to worry that the State will pull the rug from under them, allowing them to preserve what Lamont calls the “quality of life and the distinct character of our towns.” This can include service relationships with not-for-profits, an idea that he floated during the final gubernatorial debate that CCM held during our 2018 convention.
