Hartford Business Journal

HARTFORDBUSINESS.COM | JANUARY 26, 2026 9 On The Record | Q&A Gov. Ned Lamont sits in his state Capitol office during an interview with the HBJ. HBJ Photo | Greg Bordonaro Legislative Agenda With election looming, Gov. Lamont targets health care, energy costs in 2026 session drugs — as a rapidly growing share of total spending. Separately, Lamont said he's working with state Comptroller Sean Scanlon and Department of Social Services Commissioner Andrea Barton Reeves on ways to curb health care spending in the state employee health plan, including exploring incentives that would steer members toward a preferred provider network aimed at delivering better value. Energy costs Lamont said the legislature best serves the business community by providing certainty — some- thing he argued is sorely lacking in Washington, D.C. "There's something to be said for a little bit of consistency," he said. "We've cut taxes, not dramatically, but we've balanced the budget and business knows, year to year, pretty much what they can expect." The leader of the state's largest business organization said there's still work to do. Chris DiPentima, president and CEO of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, said the legislature made some progress last year on regulatory policy that improved predictability for employers, but businesses are still looking for additional reforms. DiPentima said he's not surprised Lamont has prioritized health insurance and energy costs, because state resi- dents and business owners are intently focused on affordability. He noted that Lamont and the legisla- ture "chipped away" at child care costs last year by funding a $300 million endowment program to expand access to no-cost preschool spaces, and used the special session to approve a bill intended to promote affordable housing statewide. "The next two biggest things on the burner, if you will, are the cost of health care … and energy costs," DiPentima said. On energy, Lamont said Connecticut needs a long-term strategy focused on both supply and demand. He described himself as an "all-of-the-above" supporter of expanding power supply — including nuclear and natural gas — while also seeking to reduce demand through expanded energy efficiency. Lamont criticized the Trump adminis- tration's attempts to halt the Revolution Wind offshore wind project, arguing the move undercuts Connecticut's efforts to bring new power supply online. Lamont raised skepticism about calls from Republicans and others to eliminate the public benefits charge, a fee on electric bills that helps fund energy-efficiency programs, renewable energy initiatives and assistance for low-income customers. He argued removing it would likely just shift costs from ratepayers to taxpayers through the state budget. Lawmakers tried to address energy costs during last year's session by approving a bipartisan agreement to bond $155 million to offset electric bills. The money was intended to pay By David Krechevsky davidk@hartfordbusiness.com T wo of Connecticut's biggest cost pressures on employers — health care and energy — will be at the center of Gov. Ned Lamont's agenda heading into the 2026 legisla- tive session, as the state also braces for potential federal funding cuts tied to the Trump administration. In an exclusive interview with Hartford Business Journal earlier this month, Lamont said lawmakers should prioritize measures aimed at reducing the cost of doing business and living in Connecticut, with a particular focus on health care and energy policy. Federal funding uncertainty, however, is likely to shape the session's scope. While lawmakers set aside up to $500 million during a special session in November to help offset potential federal cuts, Lamont said new chal- lenges keep emerging. Lamont also pointed to other longer- term challenges, including the state's 70,000-plus workforce shortage and the need for transportation infrastructure improvements. Still, he emphasized that the short legislative session — which opens Feb. 4 and closes May 6 — limits how much can realistically be accomplished. The session also comes during an election year, as Lamont seeks a third term, a dynamic that could intensify debates over affordability and business costs. Among the initiatives Lamont said he'd support are association health plans, which would allow small compa- nies and associations to form groups and leverage their purchasing power to obtain more affordable health insur- ance. He's also open to other options aimed at lowering costs for individuals and small businesses, including Indi- vidual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements, or ICHRAs. ICHRAs allow employers to provide pre-tax contributions employees can use to purchase health insurance on the individual market instead of enrolling in a traditional small-group plan. Access Health CT, the state's health insurance exchange, launched a platform for ICHRAs last year as Connecticut's small-group market continues to contract following the exit of several carriers. Lamont is also pushing for a "Connecticut option," a still-developing plan aimed at giving residents and small businesses access to more affordable coverage. The Democratic governor said the model would keep private insurers responsible for taking on financial risk, distinguishing it from prior "public option" concepts that would have required the state to run an insurance plan. Lamont said health care costs are rising at a double-digit pace across the country, and Connecticut is no excep- tion. Higher demand for procedures remains a factor even years after the pandemic, but he also pointed to phar- maceuticals — particularly specialty NED LAMONT Governor of Connecticut Party: Democrat Years in office: Elected in 2018; took office Jan. 9, 2019 (now in his second term) Next up: 2026 legislative session (Feb. 4-May 6); Lamont is seeking a third term in November 2026 Background: Businessman; founder of Campus Televideo (cable/telecom) Education: Harvard University (BA); Yale University (MBA) Age: 72 Continued on next page

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