Protecting our environment is one of the few areas for which I would increase state spending.  Environmental protection is properly in the state's orbit because individuals can't enforce their own property rights  to clean air and clean water without the state's help.

The state can also be a forceful "driver" of environmental improvements nationwide.  Connecticut can commit to buying a good new product in bulk -- spurring better research and lower prices.  This is improved fourfold if we are cooperating regionally with other New England states, and twelvefold if cooperating with New York and New Jersey.  We share the same North Atlantic Ocean, and adjacent airspace, so regional cooperation makes great sense.

Good environmental science deserves to be strengthened.  My office will try hard to budget for better testing and better remediation.  We will help fund firms that show promising clean technologies.  We can help draw talented young scientists and engineers to the state to work on air and water quality.