Connecticut

Inauguration of Gov.-Elect Ned Lamont Underway

Ned Lamont was sworn in today as the 89th governor of Connecticut and several public events are planned. If you are not going, NBC Connecticut will also be streaming the festivities live on air and online.

SWEARING IN:

Governor-elect Lamont was sworn in at the William A. O’Neill State Armory, then spoke about his vision for the State.

PARADE:

A parade will be held right after the inauguration ceremony. It's expected to begin at 1:30 p.m.

It will step off at the Armory, head east on Capitol Avenue, pass the historic State Capitol, then turn north on Trinity Street and end at the intersection of Trinity and Elm streets.

Expect road closures in the areas surrounding the State Capitol and the State Armory.

STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS: 

After the parade, Lamont will deliver the State of the State address to a joint session of the General Assembly inside the Hall of the House of Representatives at the State Capitol. It's expected to begin at 2:30 p.m.

INAUGURAL BALL:

The inaugural ball will be held at the Connecticut Convention Center at 7 p.m. and tickets are available for purchase online. 

General admission tickets are $200 and tickets for young professionals, between 21 and 28, are $99.

The ball will feature more than 40 restaurants, artisanal cheese makers, bread makers, microbreweries and Connecticut wineries.

Actor Christopher Meloni, who might be best known for his role as Elliott Stabler on NBC’s “Law & Order” and journalist Jane Whitney will be the co-emcees of the event.

Joe Scarborough, co-host of MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” will perform with his band during the inaugural ball.

After spending more than $12 million of his money on a successful election campaign, Lamont is paying for his own transition expenses. 

A spokeswoman for Lamont's transition organization told The Associated Press in December that Lamont and his wife planned to spend $250,000 on the two-month changeover. The cost includes things like staff payroll and office expenses.

Lamont has also promised to forgo the $150,000 annual governor's salary.

The state's Military Department oversees inaugural activities and can accept donations capped at $25,000.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
Contact Us