Gov. Dannel P. Malloy used his final State of the State address Wednesday to urge state lawmakers to send a signal to the rest of the nation and the world that Connecticut is a place that "will always recognize injustice and inequity," amid growing inequity and unfairness.

"Let us offer a beacon of hope to all these people fighting on the right side of fairness," said the Democrat, who is not seeking a third four-year term. "We can stop the tides of prejudice and hate from washing away our progress and drowning our ideals."

While not mentioning President Donald Trump by name, many of Malloy's proposals for the new legislative session, which opened Wednesday, conflict with much of the Republican president's agenda. For example, Malloy called for preserving key elements of the federal health care law, including cost-free birth control for women and a requirement that everyone carry health insurance.

He received some of his biggest applause from state lawmakers when he called for "an honest reckoning" over sexual harassment in the workplace.

"There is an immediate need to change workplace culture — from small towns to Hollywood, from the mailroom to the boardroom, and from the jailhouse to the statehouse, all the way up to the White House," Malloy said.

The governor previously released his proposed $20.73 billion budget for the new fiscal year that begins July 1. It includes a mix of highway tolls, spending cuts and a range of tax changes, including a higher levy on cigarettes and a 25-cent-per-bottle deposit on wine and liquor.

He said he decided to dedicate his annual speech to the issue of fairness, laying out steps the General Assembly can take to build upon past efforts to expand access to health care, affordable housing, a clean environment and the ballot box, as well as tougher gun safety measures.

The session runs until May 9.