The Power of the People - Lamont Vetoes HB 5002

The Fight Continues - Keep the Pressure on

Yesterday, Governor Ned Lamont vetoed the controversial omnibus bill HB5002. This is a major win for local control and Lamont even expressed concern over local control and that the bill had too much power to encourage the development of affordable housing.

We would like to thank CT169 Strong for their efforts in mobilizing more than 10,000 quick petitions to Lamont’s office from 166 of the 169 municipalities in Connecticut. It is because of citizens getting vocal and pressure from municipalities (representing their constituents) and other advocacy groups that Lamont’s office was flooded with pressure.

In vetoing this bill, Lamont stated: "I think for housing to continue growing successfully, it has to be led by our towns, it has to be led by our first selectmen, it has to be led by our mayors," To that end, he did note that the towns should take that lead in determining the appropriate number of housing units rather than a Hartford mandate which was the basis of HB5002 that was passed at 2 AM on a Saturday morning.

This bill was rife with issues and did not have sufficient local buy-in. Some other issues included no responsibility for developers to put in off-street parking and conversions as-of-right and “transit-oriented development”

Lamont expressed a desire to have a special session to amend this bill in September.

In addition, Lamont also vetoed legislation that provided unemployment insurance to to workers on strike.

This is an example that your voice does matter and we will all continue to push to bring these issues to you so we need you to spread this message. It is still amazing how so many Nutmeggers were not aware of this issue. So you must go out and tell your neighbors and get active.

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Your quality of life should not be a political issue, but it has become one in a one-party ruled state like Connecticut.

It should be noted that the mission of CT 169 is: CT169 Strong is a non-partisan group dedicated to local zoning control to ensure thoughtful and appropriate development of our communities through prudent land use decision making. We are thankful to the many supporters and especially to the Democrat and Republican legislators who rejected the burdensome and poorly crafted “top down” zoning bills that were introduced to the House. We continue to fight for policies that work and make Connecticut better – and demand effective reforms that create true affordability, not just density.

It is non-partisan and citizens of all parties contacted Lamont’s office.