Governor Lamont explanation on the joint address of President Trump on the congress

(Hartford, CT) – Governor Ned Lamont published the following declaration on the joint speech by President Donald Trump to the Congress:

“Tonight President Trump gave the congress a common speech, and although I appreciate the opportunity to learn directly about the priorities of his government, I ask him to concentrate on guidelines that raise everyday American families and offer states the predictability that we need to efficiently deliver our budgets.

“The increasing cost of living is one of the biggest challenges for Americans. The new tariffs of the administration for our closest trading partners will further increase the costs, including energy costs in Neugland, at a time when we are working to find paths to lower the tariffs. These abrupt changes in trade policy create further uncertainties for companies, whereby the investments and the cessation of companies are increasingly discouraging an unstable economic environment.

“The most disturbing are perhaps the proposed cuts in medicaid and food aid programs that are currently being discussed in the congress. These programs offer a lifeline for our most endangered population groups, and the reduction of these devastating consequences for families, children and seniors in our state. I urgently ask the congress and the administration to rethink these harmful guidelines and instead to work with states on responsible solutions that do not undermine our economic security.

“Nevertheless, I am still obliged to work on areas in which we find similarities, in particular when combating the high energy costs, the reconstruction of our infrastructure and the reduction in health care costs. These are challenges that require non -partisan solutions, and I will continue to work to ensure guidelines that strengthen Connecticut’s economy and protect our communities. “