♪♪ >> THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE FROM CT PUBLIC RADIO, I'M CATHERINE SHEN GOVERNOR NED LAMONT'S SECOND TERM IN OFFICE HAS BEGUN WITH PROMISES FOR MEANINGFUL TAX CUTS AND EFFORTS TO SUPPORT CONNECTICUT CHILDREN.
TODAY, WE ARE CATCHING UP WITH GOVERNOR NED LAMONT.
HE JOINS US FOR AN IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ON THE 2023 LEGISLATIVE SESSION - AND WHAT'S HAPPENING AROUND OUR STATE.
WHAT ARE YOUR QUESTIONS FOR GOVERNOR LAMONT?
WE WANT TO GIVE YOU THE OPPORTUNITY TO ASK OUR STATE'S TOP OFFICIAL YOUR QUESTIONS.
WE'RE IN OUR STUDIO--WHICH MEANS OUR CONVERSATION ISN'T LIMITED TO OUR LIVE RADIO STREAM, YOU CAN ALSO WATCH ONLINE ON CT PUBLIC'S WEBSITE, FACEBOOK PAGE OR ON YOUTUBE.
OR CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTION AT 888-720-9677 -- 888-720-WNPR -- OR FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER @WHEREWELIVE.
GOVERNOR LAMONT •WELCOME BACK TO WHERE WE LIVE, AND NICE TO MEET YA!
AND SEE YOU IN PERSON.
>> WELCOME TO "WHERE WE LIVE."
IT'S GOOD TO MEET YOU.
>> RIGHT BACK AT YOU.
WE KIND OF JOKED AROUND EARLIER.
I LURKED AROUND HIS PRESS EVENTS AS A REPORTER SO IT'S NICE TO SPEAK WITH YOU IN CONVERSATION IN THIS DIFFERENT CAPACITY.
BUT KIND OF WANT TO START ON A SOMBER NOTE TODAY, GOVERNOR.
WE ARE SPEAKING TO YOU OFF THE HEELS OF ANOTHER MASS SHOOTING IN NASHVILLE.
THREE CHILDREN, THREE STAFF MEMBERS HAVE DIED.
SO I WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT GUN CONTROL IN OUR STATE.
JUST THIS MONTH THAT YOUR MOST RECENT PROPOSAL ON GUN CONTROL COSTS WERE SEVERAL REFORMS INCLUDING LIMITING THE SALE OF HANDGUN PURCHASES TO ONE A MONTH AND REQUIRING PEOPLE HAVE TO BE 21 YEARS OLD WHEN THEY MAKE THESE PURCHASES.
BASED ON AN NPR REPORTING, WE LEARNED EARLIER THE SHOOTER IN NASHVILLEVILLE WAS 28 YEARS OLD AND OBTAINED TWO OF THE WEAPONS ACTUALLY LEGALLY.
SO FROM THIS LATEST EVENT, DO YOU THINK YOUR PROPOSAL IS GOING FAR ENOUGH TO PREVENT THE NEXT MASS SHOOTING?
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?
>> WHAT THE HECK IS GOING ON?
I DON'T REMEMBER THIS GROWING UP THIS TYPE OF SHOOTINGS GOING ON IN THE SCHOOLS, TARGETING THE MOST VULNERABLE, THE NINE YEAR OLDS, SANDY HOOK.
WE HAVE BEEN FRONT AND CENTER HERE IN CONNECTICUT, WE HAVE SOME OF THE MOST AMBITIOUS REFORMS RNLINGS TRYING TO LIMIT ACCESS TO GUNS, PARTICULARLY ACCESS TO THE ILLEGAL GUNS THAT ARE THE CAUSE OF SUCH MAYHEM.
WE HAVE TO KEEP GOING.
I WANT CONDONE TO BE A LEADER HERE.
WE HAVE SOME GUN SAFETY LAWS ON THE BOOKS.
I HOPE THE LEGISLATURE TAKES IT SERIOUSLY.
IN PARTICULAR, IT'S THESE GHOST GUNS, THESE ILLEGAL PLASTIC GUNS.
YOU CAN TURN THEM INTO A MACHINE GUN.
THEY DELIVER BY MAIL.
IT'S TOUGH TO KEEP OUT.
WE CAN STOP IT IF WE SEE YOU PACKING ONE OF THESE THINGS IN A PUBLIC PLACE.
>> SO UNFORTUNATELY, WE JUSTED WITNESSED ANOTHER ONE, RIGHT?
JUST YESTERDAY AND WE ARE HAVING THIS CONVERSATION TODAY.
DOES THAT CHANGE ANYTHING?
DO YOU HAVE MORE SPECIFIC PROPOSALS THAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE FORWARD, PERHAPS ONES THAT ARE ALREADY IN YOUR POLICY?
>> PASS THE BILLS WE HAVE IN PLACE.
HELP US OUT.
WE ARE PUTTING IN PLACE MORE RESOURCES FOR SAFETY, SECURITY IN OUR SCHOOLS.
YOU KNOW, IT'S UP TO EACH SCHOOL HOW MUCH THEY WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS.
BUT YOU KNOW, PROBABLY WANT TO LIMIT THE ENTRANCE AND EGRESS TO ONE OR TWO SPOTS IN THE VOLS TO HAVE A LITTLE MORE CONTROL OVER WHO IS IN THERE.
>> AND THIS IS YOUR SECOND TERM AS GOVERNOR.
DO YOU HAVE ANY TOP PRIORITIES FOR THIS LEGISLATIVE SESSION?
>> WE HAVE SOME PRETTY GOOD MOMENTUM GOING ON.
REMEMBER FOUR YEARS AGO WE HAD A $2 BILLION DEFICIT AS FAR AS THE EYE COULD SEE AND PEOPLE WERE LEAVING THE STATE, LAST ONE OUT TURN OUT THE LIGHTS.
WE ARE IN A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE FROM FOUR YEARS AGO AND I WANT TO KEEP UP THIS POSITIVE MOMENTUM.
THAT MEANS A: KEEP BALANCING OUR BUDGET IN AN HON HONEST WAY.
B: A REAL TAX CUT FOR MIDDLE-CLASS FOLKS, MAKE LIFE A LITTLE MORE AFFORDABLE.
KEEP INVESTING IN OUR FUTURE AND THAT'S OUR KIDS.
>> SPEAKING OF INVESTMENT, GOVERNOR, WERE YOU HERE ABOUT SIX MONTHS AGO TALKING ABOUT AFFORDABLE HOUSING, WHICH IS THE HOT TOPIC AND IT SEEMS LIKE IT IS CONTINUING TO BE HOTTER.
AND WE HAVE SEEN A MASSIVE DROP IN NEW HOUSING BEING BUILT HERE IN CONNECTICUT AND I THINK THE LATEST NUMBERS WE'VE SEEN, WE HAVE A SHORTAGE OF ABOUT 85,000 AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS AS WELL AS BEING THE LOWEST RENTAL VACANCY RATES IN THE COUNTRY.
ARE THERE OTHER INCENTIVES THAT YOU CAN GIVE TOWNS TO BUILD MORE AFORDABLE HOUSING?
>> WELL, LOOK, OVER THE LAST 30 YEARS, WE DIDN'T HAVE MUCH POPULATION GROWTH AND WE WERE VERY SLOW IN GETTING NEW HOUSING.
I WOULD SAY IN THE LAST YEAR OR SO THAT'S PICKED UP.
A LOT OF PEOPLE WANT TO MOVE TO THIS STATE.
WE HAD 50,000 NEW RESIDENTS OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS.
WE DID HAVE MORE NEW HOUSING START-UPS.
NOT JUST MARKET RATE HOUSING BUT ALSO AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I WANT TO BUILD ON THAT.
WE'VE GOT AN ADDITIONAL $200 MILLION FOR WORKFORCE HOUSING.
I WANT PLACES WHERE YOUNG PEOPLE CAN LIVE, HOPEFULLY NEXT TO PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION, BRING OUR TOWNS AND CITIES TO LIFE.
AND LET EMPLOYERS KNOW, I CAN EXPAND.
I WANT TO HIRE MORE PEOPLE AND THERE IS A PLACE FOR THEM TO LIVE.
>> AND YOU MENTIONED IT'S A BIT OF A SLOW PROCESS.
YOU KNOW, WE ARE SEEING CITIES LIKE BRIDGEPORT AND STANFORD PICKING UP THE PACE, OBVIOUSLY NOT FAST ENOUGH FOR THE HIGH DEMAND AND WE DO HAVE A STATE HOUSING LAW THAT ALLOWS LAND DEVELOPERS TO TAKE MUNICIPALITIES TO COURT IF THEY REJECT PROPOSALS WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING UNITS IF THE AREAS HAVE LESS THAN 10%.
SO DO YOU THINK THAT IS ENOUGH TO INCENTIVIZE WHILE RECOGNIZING THAT IT IS A SLOW PROCESS, BUT THERE IS MORE YOU CAN DO AS GOVERNOR TO SORT OF PUSH THAT OR IN-- >> INCENTIVES.
I'VE GOT SIGNIFICANT NEW RESOURCES OUT THERE.
I WANT TOWNS TO COME FORWARD.
IF YOU WANT TO TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THIS, WE'LL GIVE PREFERENCE TO DENSER HOUSING.
YOU KNOW, NEXT TO THE RAIL STATION OR THE BUS DEPOT.
I THINK THIS IS A TIME THAT PEOPLE WANT TO MOVE INTO YOUR TOWN, GIVE THEM THAT OPPORTUNITY.
I TELL SOME OF THOLES SUBURBAN TOWNS, NOT HERE OR NOT NOW.
IF YOU WANT A PLACE FOR YOUR KIDS TO LIVE AND A PLACE FOR YOUR PARENTS TO BE ABLE TO STAY IN TOWN.
>> WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A QUICK CALL FROM NATE WHO HAS A QUESTION ON HOUSING.
NATE.
ARE YOU THERE THERE?
>> YEAH, I AM HERE.
>> GO FOR IT, NATE.
>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.
I HAVE THREE QUESTIONS WHICH IS BASICALLY ONE BIG QUESTION.
1: GOVERNOR, DO YOU BELIEVE THAT HOUSING IS A BASIC HUMAN RIGHT?
2: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT CITIZENS OF CONNECTICUT HAVE A RIGHT TO LIVE IN CONNECTICUT?
AND 3: DO YOU BELIEVE THAT EVERY PERSON HAS THE RIGHT TO LIVE IN ANY TOWN IN CONNECTICUT NO MATTER THEIR INCOME LEVEL?
THANK YOU.
>> FIRST OF ALL, YOU GOT TO HAVE A ROOF OVER YOUR HEAD.
I THINK THAT IS A HUMAN RIGHT.
AND I TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY AS A GOVERNOR AND I KNOW WE TAKE THAT SERIOUSLY AS A COUNTRY.
WE CAN ALWAYS DO BETTER.
YOU CAN PUSH BACK AND SAY, YOU KNOW, WHO SHOULD SUBSIDIZE IT.
WHAT IS THE BEST WAY TO GET MORE HOUSING.
I DO BELIEVE, NATE, THAT MORE SUPPLY IS PART OF THE ANSWER.
PEOPLE JUST HAVE MORE OPTIONS.
IF THERE IS MORE HOUSING OUT THERE, BE IT WORKFORCE HOUSING, AFFORDABLE HOUSING, MARKET RATE HOUSING, THAT ADDITIONAL SUPPLY WILL MAKE THE COST MORE AFFORDABLE FOR EVERYONE.
AND YES, I WANT THEM HERE IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT.
I WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO MOVE HERE AND I WANT PEOPLE TO BE ABLE TO STAY HERE.
AND THERE ARE TOO MANY PEOPLE WHO ARE PRICED OUT OF THE MARKET.
TOO MANY SENIORS WHO CAN'T AFFORD THEIR BIGGER HOUSE, THEY'RE DOWNSIZING.
THERE IS NO PLACE TO GO.
TOO MANY YOUNG PEOPLE THAT SAY LOOK, I DON'T NEED AN ACRE OF LAND LAND AND THREE BEDROOMS.
I JUST WANT A STUDIO IN DOWNTOWN HARTFORD SO CAN I GET STARTED.
WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THERE IS HOUSING FOR THEM.
>> SPEAKING OF AFFORDABILITY, YOU KNOW, CONNECTICUT WILL NOT VOTE ON A RENT CAP THIS SESSION, BUT IS THAT SOMETHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE IN OUR STATE AND IF SO, WHAT WOULD THAT LOOK LIKE DO YOU THINK?
>> LOOK, WE GOT THE RENT COMMISSIONS OUT THERE.
SO I CAN'T HAVE PEOPLE BEING EVICTED WHEN THEY'RE MAKING A GOOD FAITH EFFORT TO BE ABLE TO STAY WHERE THEY ARE.
YOU KNOW, RENT CAP CUTS BOTH WAYS.
I'M TRYING TO GET MORE DEVELOPERS TO BUILD MORE REPRESENTAL HOUSING HERE IN THE-- RENTAL HOUSING IN THE STATE.
IF THEY SAY BUT YOU CAN'T HAVE MORE THAN THIS AMOUNT OF RENT, IT WILL DISCOURAGE THEM AND THEY'LL GO TO OTHER PLACES.
I HAVE TO GET THE RIGHT BALANCE, ALLOW YOU TO STATE IN YOUR RENTAL APARTMENT, NOT GETY GET EVICTED AND BUILD MORE HOUSING.
>> NOW TO TRANSPORTATION WHICH IS A HOT TOPIC.
YOU SPOKE ABOUT THIS SIX MONTHS AGO WHEN YOU WERE HERE BUT WE DID WITNESS THE UNFORTUNATE DEATH OF STATE REPRESENTATIVE QUINTON WILLIAMS AND MANY HAVE BEEN ASKING AND ARE CONTINUING TO ASK WHAT CAN WE DO TO CONTINUE TO PROVIDE OR START PROVIDING SAFER ROADS.
WHAT WOULD YOUR ADMINISTRATION DO TO ADDRESS THESE VERY ONGOING PROBLEMS?
>> QUINTON WAS A FRIEND TO A LOT OF US.
I STILL SEE HIS SMILE EVERY DAY.
AND HE GOT HIT BY A WRONG WAY DRIVER.
AND THERE HAS BEEN MORE EXTREME DRIVING DURING AND POST COVID THAN WE HAVE EVER SEEN IN THIS STATE EVER.
AND I CAN'T MANDATE COMMON SENSE.
I CAN PASS LAWS THAT TELL YOU DON'T DRINK AND DRIVE.
BUT I NEED YOU TO TALK TO YOUR FRIENDS.
MAKE SURE THEY DO THE RIGHT THING.
I GOT TO MAKE SURE YOU EXERCISE THE VERY BEST SELF CONTROL YOU CAN.
I CAN TELL YOU, YOU KNOW, WE ARE PUTTING UP FLASHERS AND SAYING THIS IS DRIVING THE WRONG WAY AND THAT'S PART OF THE SOLUTION.
BUT THE BEST OF THE SOLUTIONS ARE COMING FROM YOU.
>> WE CAN HAVE THESE CONVERSATIONS WITH OUR FRIENDS AND FAMILIES AND, YOU KNOW, MAYBE TO STRANGERS ON THE STREET.
BUT YOU KNOW, AS GOVERNOR, IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN DO TO ADDRESS THE STRUCTURAL ISSUES, INFRASTRUCTURE ISSUES, FOR PEDESTRIAN SAFETY BECAUSE THAT'S ANOTHER ISSUE THAT WE ARE SEEING WITH RISING NUMBERS.
AND I THINK JUST LAST YEAR WE GOT 75 PEDESTRIANS WHO DIED BEING STRUCK BY VEHICLES, WHICH IS A 50% INCREASE IN FIVE YEARS.
I'M NOT A MATHEMATICIAN BUT THAT'S A PRETTY HIGH NUMBER.
THERE IS SOMETHING YOU CAN DO, GOVERNOR, WITH THAT?
>> YES, STOP STARING AT GOOGLE MAPS AND YOUR PHONE WHEN YOU ARE DRIVING.
WE ARE DOING EVERYTHING WE CAN, CAT, TO MAKE OUR CITIES AND TOWNS MORE WALKABLE.
THAT MEANS BICYCLE PATHS, AS WELL AS TALKABILITY.
TO MAKE THAT EASIER AS YELL.
BACK TO THE HIGHWAY.
WE ARE AN OLD STATE.
WE HAVE A LOT OF EXITS AND EGRESSES AND IT'S COMPLICATED, CARS GOING IN AND OUT.
THAT'S PART OF THE DANGER AS WELL.
GARRETT, OUR HEAD OF TRANSPORTATION, IS DOING A BIG EFFORT TO SEE WHERE ARE THOSE MOST DANGEROUS INTERSECTIONS.
LETTERS TARGET THEM.
>> WE'LL TAKE ANOTHER CALL FROM CAROLINE WHO HAS A QUESTION ON BUSING.
ARE YOU THERE?
>> I AM.
I WANTED TO ASK THE GOVERNOR WHY WE COULDN'T CONTINUE THE FREE BUSING.
THOSE PEOPLE THAT RIDE THE BUSES ARE SO POOR.
IF ONLY PEOPLE IN CARS THAT DON'T RIDE A BUS COULD RIDE A BUS ONCE IN A WHILE AND SEE THAT THESE PEOPLE ARE REALLY THE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT THE MOST.
>> I'M WITH YOU 100%.
WE ARE THE FIRST STATE TO PROVIDE THE FREE BUS SERVICE.
WE DID IT, YOU KNOW, AS PART OF COVID ORIGINALLY SO YOU DIDN'T HAVE TO HAND CASH AND THINGS BACK AND FORTH.
IT MADE LIFE A LOT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR THAT SINGLE MOM WHO HAD TO GO BUY SOME GROCERIES AND SAVE SOME MONEY.
SO THE FEDS, THE FEDERAL DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION COMES TO US AND THIS IS A LITTLE ODD TO ME, BUT THEY SAID YOU CAN'T PROVIDE FREE BUS SERVICE UNTIL YOU DO AN EQUITY STUDY.
IT'S BEEN THE END OF A YEAR, SO WE ARE GOING TO DO THAT QUOTE UNQUOTE EQUITY STUDY AND MAYBE IT IS SOMETHING WE CAN REVISIT BUT I WASN'T BY FEDERAL LAW TO CONTINUE IT.
I WISH I COULD.
>> THANK YOU, CAROLINE FOR THAT CALL.
AND TO CONTINUE ON THE SAFETY TRACK, WE ALSO WANT TO TALK ABOUT TRANS RIGHTS.
HERE IN CONNECTICUT WE HAVE A SAFE HARBOR LAW THAT INCLUDES PROTECTION FOR TRANS PEOPLE WHERE WE LIVE.
BUT GIVEN THE SPADE OF ANTI-TRANS LEGISLATION NATIONWIDE, ARE THERE OTHER POLICIES OR PLANS THAT YOU WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE?
>> YEAH, I WANT YOU TO KNOW THAT THIS IS A STATE WHERE WE RESPECT YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO BE WHO YOU ARE, WHO YOU WANT TO BE.
AND THAT'S TRUE, EVERYTHING FROM TRANS TO IMMIGRATION ACROSS THE BOARD.
I DON'T LIKE WHAT I SEE COMING OUT OF A LOT OF THESE OTHER STATES RIGHT NOW.
THEY'RE VILIFYING PEOPLE.
THEY'RE DEMONIZING PEOPLE.
I THINK IT'S NOT AMERICAN.
IT'S NOT GOING TO HAPPEN IN CONNECTICUT.
>> AND WE ARE ALSO SEEING A LOT OF THAT IN OUR SCHOOLS, WHETHER IT'S BETWEEN FAMILIES AND STUDENTS OR IN THE EDUCATION ITSELF.
SO WE ARE ALSO SEEING A LOT OF PARENTS COMING INTO THEIR DISTRICT DEMANDING THAT THEY HAVE MORE INFLUENCE IN THE CURRICULUM.
SO, YOU KNOW, FROM WHERE YOU ARE STANDING, WHO DO YOU THINK SHOULD DETERMINE WHAT IS BEING TAUGHT IN CONNECTICUT SCHOOLS?
>> TEACHERS WORKING CLOSELY WITH PARENTS.
BUT UNLIKE FLORIDA, I DON'T WANT SOME BUREAUCRAT IN TALLAHASSEE TELLING THE LOCAL SCHOOL BOARD IN HARTFORD HOW TO TEACH THINGS.
TEACHERS OUGHT TO BE ABLE TO TEACH.
GIVE THEM THE FREEDOM TO TEACH.
IF PARENTS WANT TO WEIGH IN, WE HAVE A SCHOOL BOARD, WE HAVE PARENT-TEACHER MEETINGS.
WE URGE YOU TO GET INVOLVED.
I WANT PARENTS MORE INVOLVED THAN EVER BEFORE.
WHEN TEACHERS AND PARENTS ARE LIKE THIS, WORKING TOGETHER, EDUCATION IS AT ITS BEST AND IT'S THE BEST FOR THE KID.
>> SPEAKING OF TEACHERS AND FAMILIES GETTING TOGETHER, ON A RELATED TOPIC, THERE IS ALSO A GROWING NEED FOR CHILD CARE AND THIS IS, I DON'T THINK WE ARE STRANGERS TO THAT.
IT'S A PRE-PANDEMIC PROBLEM BUT CERTAINLY EXACERBATED BY THE PANDEMIC.
SO WE NEED MORE EARLY CHILD CARE IN ORDER TO ATTRACT FAMILIES TO COME TO THE STATE AND ALSO TO SUPPORT FAMILIES WHO ARE SUPPORTING YOUNG CHILDREN.
SO COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EXECUTIVE ORDER TO DEVELOP A STRATEGIC PLAN FOR, I THINK A LONGER TERM FUTURE FOR CHILD CARE.
>> THAT IS A GREAT QUESTION.
EVERY TEACH I TALK TO SAYS I CAN TELL A KID THAT COMES FROM A REALLY GOOD, YOU KNOW, EARLY CHILD CARE FACILITY BEFORE COMING TO OUR SCHOOL.
THEY'RE READY TO GO, READY TO LEARN.
MOM AND DAD HAVE A HARD TIME GET BACK TO WORK UNLESS THEY HAVE AFFORDABLE DAYCARE.
BETH BI, OFFICE OF EARLY CHILDHOOD HAS GONE GREAT FOR US.
THE BIGGEST EXPANSION OF DAYCARE AND CHILD CARE, TRYING TO REIMBURSE BETTER, TRYING TO MAKE SURE THE CAREGIVERS EARN A LITTLE MORE.
BUT TO YOUR BIGGER POINT, OKAY, WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
BECAUSE THE FEDERAL MONEY IS NOT HERE FOREVER.
I'M TRYING TO PUT TOGETHER A TASK FORCE MADE UP OF ALL THE STAKEHOLDERS, PARENTS, DAYCARE, CORPORATE.
I REALLY WANT TO GET THE CORPORATE WORLD MORE INVOLVED.
I'M GIVING THEM AN INCENTIVE I SAID BUILD CHILD CARE IN YOUR FACILITIES, SUBS SUBSIDIZED THAT AND THE STATE WILL BE WITH YOU.
>> WE WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER CALL, LOUISE LUIS FROM HEALTHCARE.
>> MY QUESTION IS THE MARKET OF CITY VOTERS SUPPORT EXPANDING HEALTHCARE TO ALL IMMIGRANTS REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.
INCLUDING 84% OF DEMOCRATS.
NOW 58% OF UNDOCUMENTED RESIDENTS ARE UNINSURED.
SO EXPANSION OF COVERAGE WILL REDUCE HEALTH DISPARITIES AND LOWER SPENDING ON EMERGENCY MEDICARE AND COMPENSATED CARE COSTS UNCOMPENSATED CARE COST FOR HOSPITALS.
WILL YOU SUPPORT ALLOCATING $15 MILLION IN THE BUDGET, WHICH REPRESENTS 1% OF THE TOTAL MEDICAID BUDGET TO COVER UNDOCUMENTED PEOPLE WHO ARE INCOME ELIGIBLE UNDER 26 YEARS OF AGE?
>> SO FIRST OF ALL, LUIS, THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.
WE HAVE-- WE HAVE LEARNED DURING COVID, PUBLIC HEALTH ONLY WORKS IF YOU ARE SAFE AND IF YOU ARE NOT SAFE, I'M NOT SAFE SO PUBLIC HEALTH IS SAYING PUBLIC HEALTH IS A COMMUNITY RIGHT.
AND I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYBODY GETS THE BEST COVERAGE THEY CAN.
WHAT WE HAVE DONE IS WE'VE EXPANDED ACCESS VIA MEDICAID.
GOT MORE PEOPLE INSURED THAN EVER BEFORE.
WE'VE EXPANDED ACCESS TO, YOU KNOW, YOUNG MOTHERS AND MOTHERS TO BE REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS.
WE'VE INCREASED THE AIMING OF FOR EXAMPLEBILITY-- THE AGE OF ELIGIBILITY FOR ALL SPOKES REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS UP TO A CERTAIN AGE AND WE ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO RAISE THAT.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT CALL LUIS.
WE ARE GOING TO TAKE A SHORT BREAK.
GOVERNOR NECESSITIED LAMONT IS OUR GUEST IN STUDIO TODAY.
HE'S HERE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS.
WE'RE LIVE ON THE RADIO, ONLINE AT CT PUBLIC'S WEBSITE, FACEBOOK PAGE OR ON YOUTUBE.
ADD YOUR QUESTIONS IN THE COMMENTS FIELD OR IF YOU WANT TO GIVE US A CALL, THE NUMBER IS 888-720-9677 -- 888-720-WNPR.
THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE FROM CT PUBLIC RADIO, I'M CATHERINE SHEN TODAY, WE ARE CATCHING UP WITH GOVERNOR NED LAMONT.
HE'S HERE WITH ME IN THE STUDIO TO TALK ABOUT HIS PRIORITIES - AND ANSWERING YOUR QUESTIONS.
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU'D LIKE THE GOVERNOR TO TALK ABOUT.
AND BECAUSE WE'RE ALSO IN OUR STUDIO--THAT MEANS THE CONVERSATION ISN'T LIMITED TO OUR LIVE RADIO STREAM.
YOU CAN ALSO WATCH ONLINE ON CT PUBLIC'S WEBSITE, FACEBOOK PAGE OR ON YOUTUBE.
OR CALL IN WITH YOUR QUESTION AT: 888-720-9677 -- 888-720-WNPR OR FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER @WHEREWELIVE.
WE WERE TALKING ABOUT CHILD CARE AND HEALTHCARE COMING OFF OF THE LAST SEGMENT AND I WANT TO ASK YOU, TOO, WE ARE EXPERIENCING A TEACHER SHORT AMG HERE IN CONNECTICUT ALSO, ANOTHER PROBLEM THAT IS NOT NEW, BUT HAS BEEN EXACERBATED BY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.
WHAT WILL YOU DO TO NOT ONLY ATTRACT TEACHERS TO COME HERE, BUT TO RETAIN THEM, WHICH, I BELIEVE, IS ACTUALLY THE LARGER ISSUE THAT A LOT OF SCHOOL DISTRICTS ARE EXPERIENCING?
>> I THINK NUMBER 1 IS RESPECT.
RESPECT YOUR TEACHERS, THANK YOUR TEACHERS EVERY DAY.
WHAT A DIFFERENCE THEY MAKE IN THE LIVES OF YOUR KIDS AND THE NEXT GENERATION OF KIDS.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THE BEST AND THE BRIGHTEST KNOW HOW MUCH WE APPRECIATE WHAT THEY DO.
YOU KNOW, SECONDLY WHAT WE ARE DOING TRYING TO PROVIDE MORE SUPPORT IN THE SCHOOLS.
MORE MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT FOR THOSE KIDS THAT NEED MORE LEARNING LOSS SUPPORTS, TO HELP THOSE KIDS THAT NEED TO CATCH UP AFTER COVID AND SOMETHING OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO ME IS GET MORE YOUNG PEOPLE IN THE CLASSROOM TO HELP OUT.
SO THAT THIRD YEAR TEACHERS COLLEGE, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SPEND IT ALL IN THE IVORY TOWER.
WE'LL PAY YOU TO BE IN THE CLASSROOM, BE AN APRENT APPRENTICE TEACHER, HELP OUT THE MASTER TEACHER.
>> IT'S GOOD FOR THE KIDS AND SUPPORT.
SPEAKING OF THAT IN 2021, A STATE BOND BABY POLICY WAS INTRODUCED.
THE FIRST IN THE STATE AND IT MEANS FUNDS ARE SET ASIDE FOR CHILDREN WHO ARE BORN IN POVERTY AND WHEN THEY TURN 18, THEY HAVE FUNDS TO BE USED FOR TUITION OR STARTING THEIR OWN BUSINESS OR A HOME.
AND THE KEY IS TO ADDRESS THE WEALTH GAP.
BUT THAT POLICY HAS NOT BEEN ESTABLISHED AFTER BEING SCRAPPED LAST MINUTE IN THE LAST SESSION.
WHY THE DELAY, GOVERNOR?
>> I'M WORKING WITH THE LEGISLATURE ON THAT.
BUT I DON'T WANT TO WAIT 18 YEARS.
I WANT TO HELP THESE YOUNG PEOPLE NOW.
YOU MENTION TUITION.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT OUR COMMUNITY COLLEGES ARE DEBT FREE.
SO YOU KNOW YOU CAN GO THERE.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT WORKFORCE IS FREE SO YOU CAN GET THAT JOB NOW.
I WANT TO MAKE SURE, YOU MENTIONED SMALL BUSINESS, WE HAVE THE RESOURCES RIGHT NOW TO HELP YOU START UP THAT SMALL BUSINESS ONCE YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF.
SO I DON'T WANT TO WAIT 18 YEARS.
I WANT TO START NOW.
THAT SAID, WE ARE ALWAYS TALKING TO THE LEGISLATURE.
>> I GUESS WITH THE PROGRAM ITSELF SPECIFICALLY, ARE THERE THINGS THAT NEED TO BE DONE TO IMPLEMENT THAT POLICY BEFORE WE MOVE ON SO A FAMILY CAN ACCESS THAT SUPPORT?
ANYTHING SPECIFIC THAT YOU WANT TO HAVE DONE BEFORE YOU WANT TO MOVE ON WITH THAT SNRAM.
>> AGAIN, MY PRIORITIES ARE TO HELP PEOPLE HERE AND NOW.
AND IF I PUT IN PLACE GOOD POLICIES TODAY, THEY'RE GOING TO BE THERE WHEN YOU TURN 18.
BUT YOU ARE RIGHT, MAYBE WE CAN EXPAND THINGS.
MAYBE WE CAN SAY YOU GET A B AVERAGE, I'M GOING TO GUARANTEE YOU YOU HAVE ACCESS TO COLLEGE OR A WORKFORCE PROGRAM SO THAT YOU CAN BE ASPIRING TOWARDS KNOWING THERE IS AN OPPORTUNITY THERE.
>> AND YOUR CALLS TO CUT STATE INCOME TAX HAS ALSO RECEIVED A LOT OF SUPPORT.
WHO WOULD THIS IMPACT IN THE STATE AND DOES IT DO ENOUGH TO SUPPORT CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS?
I GUESS IN ANOTHER WAY OF SAYING WILL WE REALLY SEE A DIFFERENCE IN OUR PAYCHECKS?
>> YOU WILL.
IF YOU ARE A FAMILY EARNING SAY 50-$60,000, WE'VE ELIMINATED THE INCOME TAX FOR YOU.
IF YOU ARE A FAMILY EARNING SAY $100,000.
IT'S A 20% REDUCTION.
FIRST TIME THAT'S EVER HAPPENED IN THE STATE.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE TO YOU?
PROBABLY ABOUT $50 A MONTH.
IT SENDS A DIRECTION, I KNOW HOW TOUGH IT HAS BEEN, ESPECIALLY IN THIS INFLATIONARY ENVIRONMENT, DOING WHATEVER WE CAN TO MAKE CONNECTICUT MORE AFFORDABLE AND WE HAVE A PERCEPTION THING ABOUT TAXES.
IT SENDS A SIGNAL.
THIS IS A STATE THAT IS GETTING ITS FISCAL HOUSE IN ORDER AND THAT'S HERE TO BENEFIT YOU.
>> WE WANT TO TAKE ANOTHER CALL FROM JEFF WHO HAS A QUESTION ON TAXES.
JEFF.
GO AHEAD.
>> CAN YOU HEAR ME?
>> YES, GO FOR IT.
>> YEAH, I GUESS I'M WONDERING WHY WE CAN'T GET SOME RELIEF ON PROPERTY TAXES?
PROPERTY TAXES HIT PEOPLE THAT ARE ON FIXED INCOMES OR LOWER INCOMES, I THINK, PARTICULARLY HARD.
SO I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THAT GO HAND IN HAND WITH THE INCOME TAX RELIEF.
THANK YOU.
I'LL TAKE MY CALL HERE.
>> THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION, JEFF.
WE ARE GOING TO MAKE INCOME TAXES GOING DOWN, OUR SALES TAX IS ABOUT AVERAGE.
WE'VE ALLOCATED, YOU KNOW, TENS OF MILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF THAT TO GO RIGHT TO MUNICIPALITIES.
THAT'S ALWAYS SO WE CAN CONTINUE TO HELP OUR MUNICIPALITIES AND THAT WOULD REDUCE PROPERTY TAX FOR YOU.
WE'VE EXPAND EXPANDED THE PROPERTY TAX CREDIT SO IT'S AVAILABLE TO MORE PEOPLE SO ALLOWING TO YOU STAY IN YOUR HOUSE.
WE GOT TO WORK WITH THE MAYORS.
THEY'VE GOT TO DO THINGS TO MAKE THEIR LIVES MORE AFFORDABLE AND EFFICIENT AS WELL.
ALL WAYS YOU CAN HOLD DOWN COSTS.
>> THANK YOU, JEFF FOR THAT CALL.
BRIAN ON TWITTER WRITES, WHEN YOU BECAME GOVERNOR THE STATE WAS FACING SIGNIFICANT FINANCIAL CHALLENGES WITH A LARGE AMOUNT OF UNFUNDED LIABILITIES.
THIS YEAR YOU HAVE CALLED TO SLASH INCOME TAX ON TOP OF HUNDREDS OF MILLIONS IN TAX CUTS ALREADY.
WHO OR WHAT DO YOU CRED WITH IT THIS FINANCIAL 180 IN?
>> I THINK THE LEGISLATURE DID THE RIGHT THING SOME YEARS AGO WHEN THEY SAID WE ARE NOT GOING TO SPEND BEYOND OUR MEANS.
WE ARE GOING TO KEEP TO A SPENDING CAP.
I THINK WE'VE HELD THEM TO THAT, WHICH HAS BEEN GOOD.
BUT I'LL TELL YOU MORE IMPORTANTLY, MORE PEOPLE COMING TO THE STATE.
YOUNG PEOPLE, FOLKS WHO WANT TO START A BUSINESS, FOLKS WHO ARE EXPANDING THE ECONOMIC BUY.
THERE IS NOTHING LIKE GROWTH.
I'VE SAID 100 TIMES AND I'LL SAY 101.
I WANT GROWTH AND OPPORTUNITY AND THE TWO GO HAND IN HAND.
IF CAN I KEEP THIS ECONOMY GROWING, THAT'S MORE OPPORTUNITY FOR EVERYBODY.
YOU KNOW, I'VE GOT, YOU KNOW, 90 TO 100,000 JOBS.
WE ARE TRYING A HARD TIME FILLING THOSE.
IF I GET THOSE JOBS FILLED AND RIGHT HERE IN HARTFORD THERE IS A JOB FOR YOU.
DON'T SAY THIS IS NOT A JOB FOR SOMEBODY LIKEY MOO.
IT'S A JOB FOR SOMEBODY LIKE YOU.
I'LL PROVIDE YOU THE TRAINING.
THAT EXPANDS THE ECONOMIC PIE AND ALLOWS US TO CONTINUE TO MAKE KEY INVESTMENTS IN PEOPLE AND REDUCE TAXES.
>> AND WE ARE ALSO RECEIVING A LOT OF QUESTIONS ON SOCIAL MEDIA ABOUT EARLY VOTING WITH THE NEXT PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION JUST AROUND THE CORNER, WHERE IN OUR STATE OR WHERE IS OUR STATE AT IN THE MAKING OF EARLY VOTING ACCESSIBLE FOR EVERY RESIDENT IN CONNECTICUT?
>> WE ARE GOING TO DO IT.
STEPHANIE THOMAS, OUR FRESHLY MANDATED SECRETARY OF STATE SAID LET'S START WITH 10 DAYS OF EARLY VOTING.
WE FOUND OUT DURING COVID WE ARE ALLOWED MORE ABSENTEE BALLOTING.
PEOPLE LIKED IT.
WE HAD MORE PEOPLE VOTING ABSENTEE THAN EVER BEFORE.
EARLY VOTING IS PART OF THAT PROCESS.
I WANT TO MAKE IT EASIER FOR PEOPLE TO VOTE AND VOTE WITH INTEGRITY.
>> WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER CALL FROM STEVEN WHO HAS A QUESTION ON ELECTRIC.
GO FOR IT, STEVEN.
>> MY NAME IS STEVEN.
HOW ARE YOU, GOVERNOR?
>> HEY, STEVEN.
>> CAN YOU PLEASE TELL ME MY ELECTRIC BILL WENT UP DOUBLE IN THE NEW YEAR AND I GOT A $25 REBATE TO HELP ME OUT WITH THAT, KIND OF A FUNNY WILL SLAP.
BUT THERE IS ANYTHING GOING ON THAT CAN MOVE THIS THE OTHER WAY , ESPECIALLY FOR PEOPLE WHO ARE ON FIXED INCOMES AND THE OTHER QUESTION I HAD FOR YOU, IS THERE ANY (INAUDIBLE) FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO INSTALL SOLAR ON THEIR HOMES.
ARE THERE REBATES FOR CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS, SPECIFICALLY SENIORS TO PUT SOLAR ON TOP OF MY HOME.
EVERY TIME I INVESTIGATE IT, I GET A CALL FROM 18 SALES MEN.
THANK YOU.
I'LL TAKE MY CALL OFF THE AIR.
>> ONE AT A TIME, THANK YOU, STEVEN.
THERE ARE SIGNIFICANT REBATES AND INCENTIVES FOR SOLAR.
YOU CAN START WITH D.E.E.P., THAT'S OUR ENERGY ENVIRONMENT PROTECTION.
THEY'LL GET YOU DIRECTED TO THE RIGHT PLACE TO GO THERE.
SAME THING, BY THE WAY, WITH ENERGY EFFICIENCY.
IF YOU LIVE IN AN OLDER HOUSE, MAYBE THE WINDOWS LEAK, THE FURNACE IS HOLD, WE CAN PROVIDE RESOURCES THAT WILL BRING DOWN YOUR ELECTRIC AND HEATING BILLS DRAMATICALLY.
YOU KNOW, WORKING WITH THE UTILITIES WE'VE GOT SIGNIFICANT RESOURCES FOR THOSE IN NEED WHO CAN'T AFFORD HIGH ELECTRIC PRICES AND WE'VE GOT THOSE RESOURCES OUT THERE.
GO TO EVER SOURCE.
I'VE GOT ADS ON THAT RIGHT NOW.
OPERATION RESCUE FOR HOME MEETING.
WE-- HIVE FOR HOME HEATING.
WE HAVE RESOURCES THERE THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE.
AND IF YOU WILL GIVE ME 30 SECONDS, CAT, THE BIGGEST THING IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE BETTER, MORE ACCESSIBLE CARBON FREE ELECTRICITY.
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE PIPE SO TO SPEAK AND TANKERS COME INTO NEW HAVEN WITH LOTS OF EXPENSIVE NATURAL GAS THAT, YOU KNOW, RUSSIA HAS MADE IT EVEN MORE EXPENSIVE.
WE ARE DOING IN TERMS OF WIND POWER.
WE'LL CONTROL THAT OURSELVES.
HYDRO POWER, I'M TRYING TO NEGOTIATE THE QUARTERBACK QUEBEC HYDRO AND NUCLEAR POWER.
THREE SOURCES OF CARBON FREE POWER THAT WE CAN CONTROL THAT WILL HOLD DOWN ELECTRICITY PRICES FOR THE FUTURE.
>> SPEAKING OF RENEWABLE ENERGY, WE ARE GOING TO TAKE ANOTHER CALL FROM PETER WHO HAS A QUESTION ON GREEN RENEWABLE ENERGY.
PETER, ARE YOU THERE?
>> HI, GOVERNOR, YES.
NICE TO SPEAK WITH YOU.
HOPE TO-- YES, HI.
SO OBSOLETE AND UNCORRECT BECAUSE WE ARE WAY BEHIND THE TIMES GRAVITY POWERED MOTION ENERGY.
THIS IS WHAT THE UNIVERSITIES DON'T WANT TO TALK ABOUT.
NO RESPONSE FROM YALE, M.I.T.
OR UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK.
THEY DO NOT RESPOND TO ANY CALLS AND GRAVITY POWERED PERPETUAL MOTION ENERGY WHAT IS I DO AND THERE IS NOBODY ELSE AROUND AND THIS LAW OF SCIENCE THAT SAYS FOR HUNDREDS OF YEARS PEOPLE HAVE SEARCHED FOR A DEVICE THAT KEEPS GOING FOREVER BUT THE PRINCIPLE TELLS US A DEVICE WILL NEVER BE FOUND AND ANY MACHINE THERE WILL BE ENERGY LOSS OVERCOPPING RESISTANCE, ET CETERA.
I'VE GOT IT.
I'VE GOT MORE THAN HALF A DOZEN INVENTIONS RIGHT NOW AND I'M GOING TO-- WOULD YOU COME TO A LIVE DEMONSTRATION TO PROVE I'VE GOT AN AUTO DEALERSHIP THAT IS JUMPING UP AND DOWN.
THE EXISTENCE OF PERPETUAL MOTION ENERGY IT ACTUALLY-- >> ALL RIGHT.
I'M GETTING THERE.
I GOT TO CONFESS, PETER, I KNOW LESS THAN 0 ABOUT GRAVITY POWERED PERPETUAL MOTION ENERGY.
I'M READY TO LEARN.
WE'VE GOT UCONN AND A VARIETY OF OTHER RESEARCH FACILITIES TRYING TO FIND ALL THE ALTERNATIVES WE CAN AS WE SLOWLY GET OFF OF FOSSIL FUELS.
SO IF YOU'VE GOT SOME INNOVATIONS THERE, WE WANT TO PURSUE THAT GOING FORWARD.
YOU KNOW, RIGHT NOW THE BIGGEST THING IN TRANSPORTATION, CAT IS MOVING FROM GAS POWERED TO ELECTRIC.
AND THAT'S GOING TO TAKE, YOU KNOW, 15 YEARS BUT WE ARE STARTING RIGHT NOW.
MY JOB IS TO MAKE SURE WE HAVE ELECTRIC CHARGING STATIONS UP AND DOWN 95 AND 91 AND 84 SO YOU DON'T HAVE TO SUFFER FROM RANGE ANXIETY.
I DON'T WANT YOU TO BE ANXIOUS AND WHAT WE ARE DOING IN TERMS OF CREDIT STILL TO CONTINUE TO INCENT PEOPLE TO MOVE TOWARDS ALL ELECTRIC TRANSPORTATION.
>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR THAT CALL, PETER AND I DO WANT TO MOVE ON AND TALK ABOUT A COVID-19 BECAUSE YOU LED THE STATE THROUGH THE PANDEMIC AND WE HAVE SLOWLY AND STEADILY FOUND OUR WAY BACK TO WAS WE NOW KNOW AS A NORMAL.
AND MANY OF OUR LISTENERS WANT TO HEAR ABOUT VACCINE MANDATES AND WHAT GUIDELINE AS ROUND COVID THAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE STILL IMPLEMENTED AND HOW RESIDENTS THAT ARE STILL SUFFERING FROM LONG COVID SYMPTOMS, HOW CAN THEY STILL CONTINUE TO BE SUPPORTED?
>> RIGHT NOW WHEN IT COMES TO COVID, MY ADVICE IS LOOK, WE DON'T NEED MORE MANDATES.
IT'S TO BE SMART.
IF YOU FEEL LIKE YOU GOT SOMETHING GOING ON, YOU FEEL LIKE YOU MAY HAVE SOME COVID-LIKE SYMPTOMS WHICH CAN BE FLU-LIKE SYMPTOMS, GET IT CHECKED OUT, GET A TEST.
DON'T GO TO A BIG PUBLIC PLACE.
RIGHT NOW I THINK I LOOK AT OUR NUMBERS AND THANKS TO THE GOOD PEOPLE AT CONNECTICUT, WE HAVE DONE BETTER THAN MOST OTHER STATES.
WE FOLLOWED-- WE WERE SMART AND WE GOT THROUGH COVID, I THINK BETTER.
WE KEPT MORE OF OUR SCHOOLS OPEN AND BUSINESSES OPEN.
MY ADVICE TO YOU IS GET A VACCINE.
I KNOW YOU SAY OH BOY, THAT'S ALL IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR.
I DON'T HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THAT NOW.
THAT'S JUST THE TYPE OF ATTITUDE THAT GETS US INTO TROUBLE.
WHEN THE VACCINE IS AVAILABLE OR YOUR ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY COMES UP, I'M GOING TO GET REVACCINATED.
I THINK YOU SHOULD, TOO.
>> AND ON THAT NOTE, WITH THE FEDERAL PANDEMIC RELIEF ENDING, HOW IS OUR STATE POSITIONS TO CONTINUE WITH THAT RECOVERY WITH WHAT YOU JUST SAID, TOO, WITH THE SUPPORT FOR PEOPLE FOR RESIDENTS WHO ARE STILL CONCERNED, YOU KNOW, DO YOU HAVE ANYTHING SPECIFIC THAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO MOVE ON WITH?
WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?
>> YEAH, DURING COVID IT WAS ALL ABOUT RESCUE.
IT WAS UNEMPLOYMENT CHECKS TO KEEP PEOPLE SO THEY COULD HAVE FOOD.
IT WAS ABOUT FREE BUS SERVICE.
IT WAS ABOUT SUPPORTING OUR SMALL LOCAL BUSINESSES TO KEEP PEOPLE AT LEAST ON THE PAYROLL.
WE ARE IN A VERY DIFFERENT PLACE NOW, CAT.
WE ARE TRYING TO DO EVERYTHING WE CAN.
IT'S ABOUT RECOVERY.
IT'S ABOUT GETTING OUR SCHOOLS OPEN, IT'S ABOUT SUMMER PROGRAMS, IT'S ABOUT, YOU KNOW, JOB TRAINING AND INTERNSHIPS AND APPRENTICES, LIFT EVERYBODY UP, GET THE ECONOMY GROWING.
THAT'S OPPORTUNITY.
>> AND WE ARE TALKING ABOUT HEALTH ND WE SPOKE ABOUT HEALTHCARE A LITTLE EARLIER.
WE WOULD LIKE TO TALK ABOUT THERE HAS BEEN A LOT OF STRONG PIECES OF HEALTH LEGISLATION GOING ON DURING THIS SESSION.
WE HAVE MEDICAID REIMBURSING COMMUNITY HEALTH WORKERS, REVISION OF THE APPROPRIATIONS TO SPEED UP THE AUTISM SUPPORT PROGRAM WAIT LIST AND WHAT NOT.
WE ALSO HAVE A BUDGET SURPLUS.
BUT YOU'VE ALSO INITIATED TAX CUTS SO WE ARE WONDERING WHERE WILL THE FUNDING COME FROM FOR THE PROPOSED LEGISLATION EXPANSIONS.
>> WE'VE GOT BEFORE THE LEGISLATURE A BUDGE THAT'S-- EYE A BUDGET THAT'S HONESTLY BALANCED AND IT DOES INCLUDE CONTINUED EXPANSION OF HEALTHCARE FOR EVERYBODY.
WE ARE ALREADY MENTIONED WILL RAISING THE AGE FOR UNDOCUMENTED A LITTLE BIT AS WELL.
ALSO INCLUDES CLINICS IN OUR SCHOOLS.
SO THOSE KIDS, WE TALK ABOUT PREVEEPT TIFF CARE-- PREVENTATIVE CARE, THAT IS THE BEST PLACE YOU CAN BE.
DEIRDRE GIFFORD WHO RUNS THE HEALTH STRATEGY IS DOING EVERYTHING TO HOLD DOWN COSTS.
BY THE WAY, THE MEDICAID BEGINS TO WIND DOWN, GO TO COVERED CONNECTICUT.
PEOPLE OF A CERTAIN INCOME LEVEL, WE CAN PROVIDE FREE HEALTH INSURANCE FOR PEOPLE.
>> ON THAT NOTE, TOO, TELL BUS YOUR PROPOSAL THAT WILL-- TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROPOSAL THAT WILL STOP UNNECESSARY HEALTHCARE COSTS HOUSE BILL 6669.
THE IDEA IS TO MANAGE THE INCREASING HEALTH COSTS OR HEALTHCARE COSTS.
BUT YOU HAVE RECEIVED PUSHBACK FROM HOSPITALS WHO CLAIM THAT THIS WOULD RESULT IN A LOT OF REVENUE LOSS.
SO WHAT IS YOUR RESPONSE TO THAT?
>> WELL, YOU LOOK AT THE CAPITOL BUILDING THESE DAYS.
IT'S LOADED WITH ADVOCATES AND LOBBYISTS AND, YOU KNOW, SOMETIMES WE ARE ASKING PEOPLE TO DO SOME TOUGH STUFF THAT IF YOU WANT TO HOLD DOWN COSTS, AND PAY FOR TRANSPORTATION.
BUT I'LL PULL BACK.
I MET WITH ALL THE HOSPITAL LEADERS AND THE ADVOCATES, YOU KNOW, JUST YESTERDAY.
I SAID LOOK, I'VE COME UP WITH SOME REALLY TANGIBLE IDEAS I THINK WILL HOLD DOWN THE COST OF HEALTHCARE FOR YOU.
WE ARE GOING TO NEGOTIATE PHARMACEUTICALS WITH OTHER STATES, BRING DOWN THE PRICE, GIVE YOU A DRUG DISCOUNT CARD SO WHEN YOU GO TO THE PHARMACY, YOU GET THE VERY BEST MEDICINE AT THE LEAST COST FOR YOU AND I'VE SAID THE HOSPITALS AND I'VE SAID TO INSURANCE AND TO OTHERS IN THE LEGISLATURE, IF YOU HAVE A BETTER IDEA, I'D LOVE TO HEAR IT.
I WANT TO SIT DOWN IF YOU, IF YOU DON'T HAVE ANY OTHER BETTER IDEAS, LET'S GO WITH WHAT I HAVE PROPOSE DISPLD WE'LL TAKE ONE MORE CALL FROM MARK WHO HAS A QUESTION ON NURSING HOMES.
MARK, ARE YOU THERE?
>> YEAH THANKS FOR TAKING MY CALL.
I'M A PROUD RETIRED HARTFORD FIREFIGHTER WHOSE MISSION IN LIFE IS ALWAYS TO PROTECT OUR MOST VULNERABLE, OUR CHILDREN, STUDENTS AND ESPECIALLY OUR SENIORS.
AND I BELIEVE THAT PAST DECISIONS IN OUR LIVES ALWAYS LEAD TO PRESENT DAY SUCCESS OR FAILURES.
AND GOVERNOR, I GOT TO ASK YOU, APRIL 11 WE KNOW THE STATE OF OUR NURSING HOMES TODAY, BUT I DO WANT TO GO TO THE PAST.
APRIL 11, 2020 THERE WAS A GREAT DECISION BY YOU TO BUILD FIELD HOSPITAL BEDS IN CONNECTICUT CONVENTION CENTER, 646 BEDS WERE BUILT AND, ACCORDING TO THE CAPTAIN WHO BUILT THEM, THE IDEA WAS TO PUT PATIENTS THAT ARE NOT WELL ENOUGH TO GO HOME, NEED TO BE IN A SAFE SPACE, WHERE THEY'RE NOT PUTTING ANYONE ELSE IN JEOPARDY, GREAT IDEA, GREAT DECISION, BUT A WEEK LATER, GOVERNOR, YOU PUT SOME FINANCIAL AID INTO COMMENT SATE NURSING HOMES-- COMPENSATE NURSING HOMES $400 PER DAY FOR TAKING IN COVID POSITIVE PATIENTS AND IN YOUR ORDER, IN NON-COVID FACILITIES.
AND THEN IMMEDIATELY PUT IN AN IMMUNITY ORDER TO PROTECT THOSE NURSING HOMES.
NOW THERE WERE ONLY A FEW THAT DIDN'T TAKE YOU UP ON THIS CAROT AND CHASING IT AND GRABBING IT AND MAKING A LOT OF MONEY, SHADY OAKS, FOR INSTANCE, PUT THEMSELVES IN A BUBBLE AND DID NOT TAKE THAT MONEY.
BUT I BELIEVE, AND I BELIEVE TODAY, THAT THAT DECISION WAS A DEATH SENTENCE TO MANY OF OUR SENIORS IN NURSING HOMES.
NOT ONE REPORTER, NOT ONE LOCAL REPORTER-- AND I BELIEVE THERE ARE SOME WITH YOU LISTENNINGS RILING-- LISTENING RIGHT NOW-- EVER ASKED YOU TO TALK ABOUT THIS DECISION.
>> FIRST OF ALL, THANKS TO THE FIREFIGHTER.
YOU SHOWED UP EVERY DAY.
YOU COULDN'T ZOOM DURING COVID.
YOUR NATIONAL SIS ON THE NURSING HOMES IS NOT RIGHT.
YOU ARE RIGHT, WE DID DO THE FIELD HOSPITALS BUT MORE IMPORTANTLY, WE HAD EXTRA CAPACITY IN A LOT OF NURSING HOMES.
WE HAD NURSING HOMES THAT WERE CLOSED SO WE OPENED THEM UP AND MADE THEM COVID ONLY NURSING HOMES.
WE HAD A FEW NURSING HOMES THAT HAD EMPTY WINGS THAT WERE CLOSED.
WE SAID MAYBE THAT'S A PLACE FOR FOLKS WHO WERE IN THE HOSPITAL, HAD COVID, NOW THEY'RE TESTING NEGATIVE AND MAKING SURE THEY COULD GET OUT.
WE WERE NOT PUTTING COVID PATIENTS IN WITH OTHER NURSING HOME PATIENTS.
THAT'S NOT TRUE.
>> WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF TIME.
WE HAVE SEEN COVERAGE OF RANDY COX PARALYZED FROM INJURIES SUSTAINED IN NEW HAVEN POLICE CUSTODY AND IS SUING NEW HAVEN FOR $100,000.
HOW DOES THIS-- WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE MUNICIPALITIES DO MORE TO UPDATE THEIR POLICING PROCESS?
>> RANDY COX CASE WAS TRAGIC.
I BELIEVE THOSE COPS HAVE BEEN FIRED OR SEVERELY REPRY RAND-- REPRY MAPPEDDED.
THAT'S NOT TYPICAL.
WE HAVE SOME OF THE BEST POLICE IN THE COUNTRY.
I'VE CONTINUED TO TRY TO RECRUIT PLACE.
I TRY TO RECRUIT THE MOST DIVERSE GROUP OF POLICE SO THEY REFLECT THEIR COMMUNITIES SO PEOPLE KNOW COPS ARE THERE TO PROTECT THEM.
THEY'RE OF AND BY AND FOR THE COMMUNITY.
WHAT HAPPENED TO RANDY COX IS ABSOLUTELY UNACCEPTABLE.
>> THANK YOU FOR THAT AND I'LL TAKE A MOMENT TO THANK ALL OF OUR CALLERS ON SOCIAL MEDIA AND TO THANK GOVERNOR LAMONT FOR SPENDING TIME WITH US TODAY.
AFTER THE BREAK, AFTER THE BREAK, WFSB'S CHIEF CAPITOL REPORTER SUSAN RAFF WILL BE JOINING US WITH HER ANALYSIS.
YOU CAN JOIN THE CONVERSATION - FIND US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER @WHEREWELIVE.
THIS IS WHERE WE LIVE FROM CT PUBLIC RADIO, I'M CATHERINE SHEN WE JUST HEARD FROM GOVERNOR NED LAMONT ON SOME OF HIS PRIORITIES FOR THE STATE.
FOR SOME PERSPECTIVE ON WHAT HE HAD TO SAY - JOINING ME NOW IS SUSAN RAFF.
SHE'S THE CHIEF CAPITOL REPORTER FOR WFSB TV, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR JOINING US.
>> YOU'RE VERY WELCOME.
GREAT TO BE HERE.
YOU COVERED A LOT OF GROUND TODAY.
>> WE DID.
WE WERE SURPRISED BECAUSE IT WAS SO FLUID AND WE WERE HAVING A GOOD TIME AND YOU WERE LISTENING THIS WHOLE CONVERSATION.
ANYTHING THAT JUMPED OUT TO YOU?
>> NO, I THINK CONNECTICUT IS IN A GOOD PLACE.
WE HAVEN'T TALKED ABOUT TAX CUTS IN, I DON'T EVEN KNOW HOW LONG, MANY YEARS.
SO IT'S REFRESHING TO HEAR THAT WE HAVE A SURPLUS.
AND I THINK THE HARDEST THING THOUGH IS THAT MANY PEOPLE WANT MONEY, RIGHT?
SO THAT'S WHAT THE LEGISLATIVE SESSION IS ALL ABOUT.
AND DO YOU GIVE OUT ALL THE MONEY?
YOU KNOW, THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED IT'S ABOUT $50 A MONTH.
THAT DOESN'T SOUND LIKE A WHOLE LOT, ESPECIALLY DURING INFLATION WHEN EVERYTHING ELSE IS GOING UP.
WHAT IS THAT, A TANK OF GAS?
BUT IT IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION CERTAINLY.
>> I WAS THINKING THE SAME THING.
$50 CAN GO A LONG WAY.
AND CAN YOU REACT TO WHAT HE SAID ABOUT BABY BONDS?
DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE ANY MOVEMENT ON THIS?
>> I DON'T KNOW AND I THINK THE GOVERNOR IS RIGHT.
I THINK YOU HAVE TO ADDRESS POVERTY AND EDUCATION NOW.
YOU KNOW, IT'S FUNNY WHEN I WAS A KID, I REMEMBER MY PARENTS BOUGHT ME BONDS AND I THINK I STILL HAVE THEM.
AND THAT'S A WONDERFUL THING, BUT I THINK THAT COMMUNITY COLLEGES, THEY'VE DONE A LOT WITH THAT.
THEY'RE FREE, DEBT FREE WHICH IS WONDERFUL.
AND SO YOU HAD CHILD CARE AND YOU HAVE TO PROVIDE ALL THOSE INCENTIVES NOW TO HELP PEOPLE GROW.
SO BABY BONDS ARE A GREAT IDEA.
BUT I AGREE WITH THE GOVERNOR, I THINK RIGHT NOW HAVE YOU TO FOCUS ON THE NEEDS CURRENTLY.
>> I APPRECIATE YOU MENTIONING EDUCATION AND COLLEGE AND ALL OF THAT BECAUSE AS MY FORMER LIFE I WAS AN EDUCATION REPORTER AND I REPORTED ALL THESE STORIES IF I REPLACE THE SUBJECT, IT'S STILL THE SAME PROBLEM.
WE STILL NEED FUNDS, WE STILL NEED EDUCATION.
SO WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HIS PRIORITIES FOR HIS SECOND TERM?
YOU KNOW, LIKE YOU MENTIONED EARLIER, WE COVERED A LOT OF GROUND.
ARE THERE THINGS THAT HE MENTIONED THAT YOU ARE SURPRISED ON OR WOULD HAVE LIKED HIM TO EXPAND MORE ON?
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THAT.
>> I AM NOT SURPRISED BUT I THINK EDUCATION IS GOING TO BE A CHALLENGE FOR THE LEGISLATURE AND THE GOVERNOR.
WE HAVE A SEVERE SHORTAGE OF TEACHERS IN CONNECTICUT.
A LOT OF THAT HAS TO DO WITH THE PANDEMIC.
WE CAN'T NECESSARILY RETAIN AND RECRUIT TEACHERS.
WE HAVE A HUGE SHORTAGE.
AND SO TO DO THAT, THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT RAISING TEACHERS SALARIES, I THINK TO $60,000, WHEN ISN'T BAD, BUT IF YOU LIVE IN CONNECTICUT, AGAIN, YOU KNOW, AN APT THAT YOU ARE RENTING IS $2200 A MONTH, OR SO THOSE ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES BUT I THINK THE EDUCATION PIECE, I MEAN CONNECTICUT HAS PRIDED ITSELF ON HAVING A GOOD EDUCATION SYSTEM, RIGHT?
LOOK WHAT IS HAPPENING IN HOUSTON AND OTHER PARTS OF THE COUNTRY.
SO WE NEED TO FOCUS ON EDUCATION AND GETTING TEACHERS AND KEEPING THEM ENGAGED IN THE CLASSROOMS.
>> WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT WHAT HE SAID ABOUT HOUSING AND ALSO IN TERMS OF ATTRACTING% PEOPLE TO THE STATE?
, YOU KNOW, WE ALL MOVE TO DIFFERENT STATES FOR A VARIETY OF REASONS, BUT WE CAN'T FIND A HOUSE OR A JOB, WE ARE NOT GOING TO GO TO THAT STATE.
>> HOUSING IS TOUGH.
AND MANY RURAL TOWNS OR, YOU KNOW, THEY DON'T WANT DENSE HOUSING AND THEY HAVE BEEN FIGHTING THAT FOR A WHILE.
IN FACT, GOVERNOR LAMONT IS NO THE FIRST GOVERNOR THAT HAS-- GOVERNOR MALOY BEFORE HIM TRIED TO GET CITIES AND TOWNS, ESPECIALLY SOME OF THE TOWNS IN THE OUTLYING AREAS TO EMBRACE DENSE HOUSING.
SO HE IS OFFERING SOME INCENTIVES TO DO THAT.
BUT WE NEED THAT.
WE DEFINITELY NEED AFFORDABLE HOUSING.
I THINK ONE OF THE BIG CHALLENGES, SINCE I'VE LIVED IN CONNECTICUT FOR A LONG TIME, IS THAT SOME OF OUR CITIES ARE ECONOMICALLY DEPRESSED, RIGHT IN HARTFORD, NEW BRITAIN, WATERBURY AND TRYING TO GET YOUNG PEOPLE INTO THOSE CITIES-- HARTFORD HAS SOME NEW HOUSING, WHICH IS TERRIFIC.
BUT IT NEED ALL THE OTHER COMPONENTS THAT'S RIGHTED FOR PEOPLE TO WANT-- IN ORDER FOR PEOPLE TO WANT TO LIVE THERE.
THEY WANT TO BE ABLE TO GO OUTSIDE AND GET ON A BUS OR TRAIN.
THEY WANT RESTAURANTS AND THINGS TO DO OUTSIDE OF THEIR APARTMENT.
SO I THINK CONNECTICUT CITIES, SOME OF THEM, HAVE SOME REAL CHALLENGES.
>> WELL, RELATED TO THAT BECAUSE YOU HAVE ALSO BEEN COVERING THIS FOR SO LONG AND WITH HOUSING BEING SUCH A TOP PRIORITY IN THE LEGISLATION SESSION, HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DO YOU THINK THE GOVERNOR CAN HAVE ON THE ISSUE AND AS WE TALKED ABOUT DURING LAST CONVERSATION AND JUST NOW, THAT MANY OF THESE DECISIONS ARE LEFT TO THE MUNICIPALITIES AND SOMETIMES THEY'RE UNABLE TO DO SO.
>> RIGHT, IT'S VERY HARD TO, YOU KNOW, CRAM IT DOWN THEIR THROATS AND SAY THIS IS WHAT YOU ARE GOING TO DO.
IF YOU PROVIDE SOME INCENTIVES, I THINK THAT'S WHAT YOU CAN DO.
I DON'T THINK YOU CAN FORCE NECESSARILY CITIES AND TOWNS.
THE OTHER THING, TOO, WHICH I'VE HEARD FROM SOME MUNICIPALITIES, IS THAT EVEN IF YOU BUILD DENSE HOUSING, HAVE TO HAVE SEWER AND WATER AND ALL OF THESE OTHER INFRASTRUCTURE THINGS.
SO IT'S VERY IMPORTANT YOU CAN'T JUST PLOP UP A BIG COMPLEX AND SAY HERE WE ARE.
SO IT'S NOT AN EASY FIX BUT I THINK IF YOU WORK WITH THE MUNICIPALITIES, YOU HAVE A BETTER SHOT AT GETTING THINGS DONE.
>> WELL, WE'VE ALSO RECEIVED A LOT OF LISTENERS CALLING IN WITH QUESTIONS ABOUT COVID VACCINE MANDATES.
DO YOU THINK WE WILL SEE LOOSER RESTRICTIONS ON COVID.
THE GOVERNOR MENTIONED HE DOESN'T WANT TO SEE MORE MANDATES GOING IN BUT WE HAVE TO FACE THE REALITY THAT MANY PEOPLE ARE STILL SUFFERING FROM COVID.
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ABOUT THAT?
>> I THINK THAT'S A TOUGH THING WHEN YOU DO MANDATES, ESPECIALLY THIS TIME.
BUT LET'S FACE IT.
I THINK THE REALITY IS THAT CONNECTICUT DID VERY WELL DURING THE PANDEMIC.
WE WERE CONSERVATIVE.
WE DIDN'T SHUT DOWN THINGS.
THE GOVERNOR DID NOT SHUT DOWN MANUFACTURING.
SOME SCHOOLS STAYED OPEN.
YOU KNOW, WEARY MERGING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC-- WE AREY AMERICANING OUT OF THE PANDEMIC.
SOME PEOPLE ARE STILL GETTING COVID TWO AND THREE TIMES AND I THINK WE ARE HOPING IT WILL BECOME LIKE A FLU VACCINE.
I DON'T THINK THE GOVERNOR WILL DO ANY MANDATES.
I DON'T THINK THAT'S POLITICALLY SMART.
I THINK PEOPLE DON'T WANT TO SEE THAT, ESPECIALLY IN EDUCATION BECAUSE STUDENTS REALLY LOST A LOT DURING THE PANDEMIC WITH REMOTE LEARNING.
>> AND DO I WANT TO READ A COMMENT FROM MEL ON TWITTER.
SHE SAID WHAT I DIDN'T HEAR IS COMMITMENT TO FUNDING EARLY VOTING ACCESSIBILITY REQUIRES A BUDGET.
WHAT IS YOUR PERSPECTIVE ON THAT?
>> WELL, SHE IS RIGHT ABOUT THAT.
EARLY VOTING THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSED AND SO WHAT THAT MEANS NOW IS THAT THE LEGISLATURE HAS THE AUTHORITY TO DECIDE, YOU KNOW, HOW MUCH EARLY VOTING?
IS IT TWO DAYS BEFORE AN ELECTION, TWO WEEKS?
MOST STATES HAVE EARLY VOTING AND IT'S A GREAT IDEA.
HOWEVER, CONNECTICUT REGISTRARS, MANY OF THEM ARE PART TIME.
SO TO DO THAT, AND HAVE THEM BE, YOU KNOW, FULLY ENGAGED TWO WEEKS, TWO MONTHS BEFORE AN ELECTION, SHE IS RIGHT ABOUT THAT.
THAT IF WE WANT EARLY VOTING, WHICH MOST PEOPLE DO, BECAUSE IT'S ONE DAY AND IT GIVES PEOPLE A LITTLE MORE CONVENIENCE AND FLEXIBILITY, WE HAVE TO FUND AND HAVE MORE MONEY FOR THOSE CITIES AND TOWNS SO THEY CAN FULLY DO IT AND GIVE PEOPLE THE IDEA AND THE CONFIDENCE THAT THE ELECTION IS GOING TO GO THE WAY THAT IT SHOULD.
>> WELL, AND ANOTHER TOPIC THAT IS AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR MINDS IS TRANSPORTATION, AND SAFER ROADS, BETTER TRAFFIC.
AND CONNECTICUT IS STARTING TO MAKE EFFORTS TO ENSURE BETTER ROADS AND PEDESTRIAN SAFETY.
WHAT ARE SOME MAJOR AREAS, DO YOU THINK WE NEED TO SEE ADDRESSED REGARDING THAT?
>> CONNECTICUT IS IN A GOOD PLACE.
WE GOT A LOT OF FEDERAL MONEY FOR INFRASTRUCTURE.
BUT I THINK ROAD SAFETY IS A PROBLEM AND NOT JUST, YOU KNOW, WE'VE SEEN THE WRONG WAY DRIVERS.
80% OF THOSE DRIVERS ARE IMPAIRED.
THIS WAS SOMETHING THE GOVERNOR REALLY DIDN'T ADDRESS TOO MUCH AND THAT IS WE HAVE A HUGE DRINKING AND DRIVING PROBLEM IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT.
WE ARE NOW NUMBER 3 IN THE COUNTRY WHEN IT COMES TO DUI FATALITIES.
THAT'S SAD, RIGHT?
SO THE STATE CAN DO MANY THINGS.
THEY CAN PUT BELLS AND WHISTLES, RUMBLE STRIPS, ALL OF THESE THINGS BUT IT DOES START IN YOUR COMMUNITY.
AND IT DOES START WITH THE CONVERSATION, HOW DID WE GET HERE?
HOW DID, WITH ALL THIS EDUCATION THAT WE HAVE, TO DRINKING AND DRIVING, AND YET, YOU KNOW, HERE WE ARE TODAY AND PEOPLE ARE DRIVING IMPAIRED AND I THINK THE MARIJUANA FACTOR IS A FACTOR.
>> WE GOT ABOUT A MINUTE LEFT BUT I WANT TO ASK IF THERE WAS ANYTHING ELSE YOU WANTED TO ADD BASED ON THE CONVERSATION WE HAD.
>> IT'S NICE TO HEAR THAT CONNECTICUT, DESPITE THE PANDEMIC, WE SEEM TO BE DOING WELL.
I'M HAPPY THAT WE HAVE THE FINANCIAL HEALTH THAT WE DID.
THE GOVERNOR POINTED OUT IN 2017 THAT IT WAS A BIPARTISAN BUDGET TO PUT FISCAL GUARD RAILS IN PLACE SO THAT WE HAVE THE MONEY TO DO THINGS.
BUT YOU KNOW, WE ALL ARE HEARING ABOUT A POSSIBLE RECESSION.
SO IS THAT GOING TO BE COMING DOWN THE ROAD?
I THINK THIS IS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION AS FAR AS TAX CUTS.
BUT, YOU KNOW, LET'S FACE IT.
PEOPLE ARE REALLY HURTING RIGHT NOW WITH A LOT OF THINGS AND SO IT'S GOING TO BE TOUGH.
BUT IT'S A LITTLE BIT BETTER THAN IT WAS FOUR YEARS AGO.
>> FINGERS CROSSED FOR EVERYONE.
THANK YOU VERY MUCH.
SUSAN RAFF, CHIEF CAPITOL REPORTER FOR WFSB TV, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING YOUR THOUGHTS.
>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.
>> ABSOLUTELY.
I'M CATHERINE SHEN TODAY'S SHOW IS PRODUCED BY TESS TERRIBLE.
OUR TECHNICAL PRODUCER IS CAT PASTOR DOWNLOAD WHERE WE LIVE ANYTIME ON YOUR FAVORITE PODCAST APP!
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