President Donald Trump's State of the Union address Tuesday night was full of contrasting tones. Like when he endorsed national paid family leave for new parents, and then just seconds later, called for legislation banning late-term abortions.
Today, we break down his speech, and how well it went over or didn't go over with Congressional Democrats.
Here in Connecticut, Gov. Ned Lamont is preparing for the Feb. 20th release of his first state budget proposal. He appears to have ruled out an idea to tax groceries. What other revenue changes might he be considering to address projected deficits?
Some Democratic state lawmakers have joined the push to eliminate Connecticut's estate tax, which Republicans have long maintained is driving out the state's wealthiest residents. Where does Gov. Lamont stand on that debate?
And what will be his approach to economic development? Lamont has tapped a 41-year-old Goldman Sachs partner and a pair of retired executives to lead that effort. Will their hunting and gathering of companies to expand here bear any more fruit than what came during the prior administration?
Speaking of growth, craft beer has proven to be an industry on the rise in Connecticut. Craft brewers, however, aren't feeling fully loved by the legislature these days. We pore over that too.
GUESTS:
- Dan Haar - Editor and columnist at Hearst Connecticut Media (@DanHaarColumns)
- Christine Stuart - Editor-in-Chief of CTNewsJunkie.com (@ctnewsjunkie)
- Bilal Sekou - Associate Professor of Political Science in Hillyer College at the University of Hartford (@Bilalsekou)
