Hey, Neighbor—Here’s the Week 🗳️
Governor Ned Lamont plopped into a chair across from Dennis House and treated us to a free‑range conversation: universal pre‑K, housing headaches, tariff trick‑shots, and that “will he, won’t he” 2026 buzz. Let’s unpack it like you would a picnic basket at Elizabeth Park—minus the bear encounter. 🐻
Pre‑K on the Launchpad
The big brag: a $250 million starter fund for statewide, cost‑free pre‑K for families earning up to $100 k. Teachers love it, parents need it, and Lamont says rollout will take “a few years.” Child‑care bills drop; kids show up to kindergarten with their ABCs and nap mats already sorted.
Housing: One Veto, Two Towers, and a Mulligan
Permits are up, cranes are back, and New Haven just green‑lit 216‑story twins by Union Station. Yet Lamont spiked the broader housing bill, arguing towns should help write it, not just swallow it. Expect a new version in a special session—soon.
Tariffs & Factory Daydreams ✈️
Dan O’Keefe is dangling $5‑10 million incentives for firms spooked by fresh Trump tariffs. After Paris Air Show hob‑nobbing, roughly 20 aerospace suppliers are eyeing Connecticut zip codes. Call it “bring your rivets to work” day.
Clock‑Watching on 2026 ⏰
Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz and First Lady Annie Lamont favor another run, but Lamont groans at campaign marathons. Decision coming “sooner rather than later”—because political phone calls at dawn are nobody’s idea of self‑care.
What a Third Term Could Look Like
- ⚡ Trim 15‑20 minutes off daily commutes.
- 🏙️ Keep cities growing after decades of shrinkage.
- 👩🎓 Close the loop on universal pre‑K.
- 👷 Launch a Youth Service Corps for internships and apprenticeships.
Crossing Aisles with Trump (Maybe)
Lamont would pitch the former president on crime reduction and cheaper New England energy. Wind versus coal? “Let’s find overlap,” he shrugs—though he’s re‑labeling his “DEI” posts “opportunity” to dodge algorithmic side‑eye from D.C.
Bears in the Backyard
Yes, black bears roam Elizabeth Park. Lamont supports a selective hunt before someone’s grill master becomes dinner. Favorite story: bystanders yelling “Governor, do something!” as he phoned Environment Commissioner Katie Dykes. (Spoiler: no gubernatorial wrestling match ensued.)
Farewell to Mark Davis
Connecticut’s longtime TV watchdog, Mark Davis, passed away. Lamont called him “a friend and a pro”—a Capitol press room without him feels like a newsroom sans coffee pot.
New Book on the Dulos Case 📚
Author Rich Cohen dives back into the disappearance of Jennifer Farber Dulos. Expect fresh threads in a mystery that still grips the state.
Sponsor Shout‑Out ☁️
Running out of attic space for campaign signs and broken snowblowers? Farmington Storage—155 Scott Swamp Road, Farmington, CT, 860‑777‑4001—offers climate‑controlled units and zero judgment. Store your regrets, your lawn flamingos, maybe even your bear costume. 🗝️
About the Author ☕️
Jack Beckett powers through transcripts on a steady drip of dark roast. When espresso kicks in, he sprints from zoning boards to bear briefings with equal joy. Find him—and our newsroom banter—on X (Twix).
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This article, “Lamont Talks Pre‑K, Housing, Bears—and Whether He’ll Run Again,” by Jack Beckett is licensed under CC BY‑ND 4.0.
“Lamont Talks Pre‑K, Housing, Bears—and Whether He’ll Run Again”
by Jack Beckett, The Farmington Mercury (CC BY‑ND 4.0)
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