The value of embracing Connecticut’s strengths

Twelve months ago we concluded an editorial about Gov. Ned Lamont’s rookie budget address by imploring him to “seize the honeymoon period that only comes once for an elected official.”

Well, that didn’t happen.

Lamont’s malleable stance on tolls defined him as indecisive. He is back to where he was before he even took office, trying to pitch a toll plan limited to big rigs.

During Wednesday’s State of the State address to kick off a short session, Lamont seemed to ask for a do-over.

He pointed simply to the Democrats’ proposal to toll trucks and the Republicans’ preference to fund infrastructure enhancements by diverting money from the Rainy Day Fund.

Then he strayed from his scripted remarks to playfully ask for a show of hands to settle the matter.

It’s not that simple, but we’re encouraged that Lamont recognizes the need to stop tolls from jamming traffic for just about every other issue the General Assembly will consider over the next 13 weeks.

He was also true to his spirit of congeniality commonly cited by lawmakers, along with the goofier side of his personality (“we’ve got our mojo back”). Just hours after President Donald Trump apparently snubbed House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and she responded by shredding his State of the Union, there was a welcome demonstration of political civility in Connecticut.

Lamont didn’t take sides on the funding issue, and resisted snarky remarks about his Republican colleagues. He referred to everyone on a firstname basis, regardless of political party.

He also promoted Connecticut instead of wallowing in its setbacks. Yes, there was plenty of hyperbole (“Connecticut has always had the best-trained, best educated, most productive workforce in the world, and that starts with the best teachers in the world”), but we’ve long opined that our state suffers from an Eeyore Complex, bemoaning its ills rather than celebrating its strengths.

“No more badmouthing the great state of Connecticut,” Lamont said. “The rest of the country is looking at our state in a new light, and so should its leaders. Optimism can be contagious.”

We want to be optimistic that this short session will be efficient and productive, but the top issues are warmed-over leftovers. Right after tolls are matters such as reducing the cost of prescription medication and health care, legalizing recreational marijuana, creating a public health insurance option for small business and individuals and gambling expansion. Meanwhile, there are some vital challenges that can’t be postponed, such as assisting state homeowners with crumbling foundations.

Lamont did not pitch bold progressive policies a la his predecessor, Dannel Malloy, whose legacy was defined by directives regarding gun safety, criminal justice reform, pay equality and immigration, but he did offer a sound bite that made it clear he stands behind similar moral principles.

“Those are Connecticut values and we’re a Connecticut family,” he said.

Hopefully, Connecticut Republicans and Democrats will remember they are in the same family over the next 13 weeks.

We’re encouraged that Lamont recognizes the need to stop tolls from jamming traffic for just about every other issue the General Assembly will consider over the next 13 weeks.