Martin M. Looney

Senate President Pro Tempore

Martin M. Looney

An Advocate for Us

November 15, 2024

Senators Looney and Duff Call for Action to Protect Connecticut’s Economy from Trump Policies

HARTFORD – Today, Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven) and Senate Majority Leader Duff (D-Norwalk) sent a letter to Governor Ned Lamont urging anticipatory measures to safeguard Connecticut’s strong economy ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump’s taking office on January 20, 2025.

“We are prepared to partner with you, and with the governors and legislatures of other New England states, to establish a unified, regional response to protect our citizens and their families,” the senators said. “Partnering with our surrounding New England states will strengthen our reaction to any Trump administration attacks on our economy while amplifying our commitment to the values of our citizens.”

The Senate leaders cited several concerns about how a second Trump administration could negatively impact Connecticut’s economy, including harmful tariffs, unchecked corporate power, home heating oil support, and tax changes meant to specifically harm Democratic states.

The full letter is below


The Honorable Ned Lamont
Governor, State of Connecticut
State Capitol
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 0610

Dear Governor Lamont,

We write this letter urging you to continue to work with us and to take anticipatory measures to ensure that Connecticut is well-prepared to safeguard our strong economy, common values, and safety ahead of President-Elect Donald Trump’s taking office on January 20, 2025. Mr. Trump has already pledged to enact a variety of significant public policy and economic changes that will likely adversely impact the health and well-being of millions of Americans, including our constituents here in Connecticut.

Together, Connecticut passed the largest income tax cut in state history, which specifically provided relief to low- and moderate-income families and enhanced the progressivity of our state income tax.

However, we know there is more to do in addressing post-pandemic price increases, and we are concerned about the potential negative economic impacts of policies envisioned by the incoming Trump administration. Mr. Trump’s pledge to implement far-ranging tariffs and give large corporations free rein will severely harm Connecticut residents. We must leverage the buying power of states in the region to mitigate the forthcoming cost increases that will result from arbitrary and harmful tariffs. We need to band together in order to hold corporations to account that have consolidated power in so many areas, especially the food industry.

New England is also vulnerable with our cold winters and our reliance on home heating oil to keep families warm and safe. Republican control in the U.S. House of Representatives has already resulted in a cut to federal home heating assistance programs. Those cuts will deepen with a Republican in the White House. We need to work with surrounding states to prepare for this new reality as the cold weather approaches.

We are acutely aware that a second Trump administration may propose tax and other economic policies intended to ‘punish’ Blue States like Connecticut, as he did with the cap on state and local tax (SALT) deductions on the federal income tax. We are prepared to partner with you, and with the governors and legislatures of other New England states, to establish a unified, regional response to protect our citizens and their families. Partnering with our surrounding New England states will strengthen our reaction to any Trump administration attacks on our economy while amplifying our commitment to the values of our citizens.

Signed,

Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney & Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Kevin Coughlin | 203-710-0193 | kevin.coughlin@cga.ct.gov

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