Fazio Pledges to Strip Electric Bill Fees; Lamont Defends Record

Gov. Ned Lamont and Republican state Sen. Ryan Fazio argued over electric rates, taxes and the cost of living in Connecticut during an hourlong televised debate in Rocky Hill on October 22, 2026, according to CT Insider, which co-hosted the event with WFSB-TV Channel 3.

Fazio said he would cut taxes, cap property taxes by removing unfunded mandates and lower electric bills by eliminating what he called hidden fees, including the public benefits charge. He said Connecticut households face the fourth-highest energy bills and third-highest taxes in the country, and he stood by his claim that taxes rose by $3 billion cumulatively over Lamont's eight years in office, or roughly $400 million a year.

Lamont disputed that figure and said removing the public benefits charge would shift costs to taxpayers. He pointed to the 2017 agreement that kept the Millstone nuclear plant in Waterford open, which he said saves about $400 million a year, and said electric prices had fallen compared with a year earlier. Lamont said he inherited $2 billion budget deficits when he took office and blamed President Donald Trump's tariffs and the war in Iran for higher costs.

The candidates also clashed over state corruption cases, immigration enforcement and the paid family leave payroll tax. Fazio said the tax could be reduced because the program holds a surplus of as much as $700 million.

This story was first reported by CT Insider.