Senator Needleman Co-Leads Senate Passage of Zoning Legislation Seeking to Expand Access, Availability of Affordable Housing
State Senator Norm Needleman (D-Essex) today co-led the Senate’s passage of House Bill 6107, “An Act Concerning The Reorganization Of The Zoning Enabling Act And The Promotion Of Municipal Compliance,” legislation designed to address issues with Connecticut’s housing availability including zoning reforms giving local communities, zoning boards and planning staff increased power and ability to expand housing availability statewide. Sen. Needleman is Senate Vice Chair of the Planning and Development Committee and joined State Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester) on the Senate floor to lead the bill’s passage.
The legislation is designed to reorganize and amend the state’s land use statutes, providing greater clarity and tools for local Planning and Zoning boards. Towns and cities will have stronger abilities to facilitate economic growth, ensure their communities can be inclusive and add energy and environmental protections to their zoning codes. Towns will need to submit affordable housing plans to the state by June 2022.
“Our communities have evolved over the last hundred years, but our state’s zoning laws have not changed to reflect where our state is today,” said Sen. Needleman. “Tonight, we took steps to change that. This legislation will provide opportunities for change, and it allows for different approaches in different locations. No two towns and cities are the same and they all have different needs. By passing this bill tonight, we allow them to make the changes best for them.”
The legislation makes a number of key changes to state statutes, including:
- Allows Accessory Apartments (often known as in-law suites) on lots with single family homes, unless a municipality chooses to opt out of the provision.
- Authorizes municipalities to charge technical consultant fees for evaluation of development projects and limits their ability to charge more for projects that are affordable housing developments.
- Requires municipal Zoning Enforcement Officers to receive and maintain certification.
- Allows Water Pollution Control Authorities to add information about sewer system capacity in certain areas to municipal WPCA plans.
- Requires communities to submit to the state’s Office of Policy and Management by June 1, 2022 the Affordable Housing Plan required by 8-30j.
- Requires member of local land use boards to receive 4 hours of training biennially.
- Reorganizes aspect of the 8-2 statute, known as the Zoning Enabling Statute. 8-2 applies to municipalities which exercise zoning powers under the statutes.
- Allows communities to expand the renewable energy and conservation provisions that can be required or promoted for development.
- Removes the use of the word “Character” and instead requires that regulations be drafted with reasonable consideration as to the “physical site characteristics” of the district with a view toward encouraging the most appropriate use of land throughout a municipality.
- Specifies that a community may regulate to explicitly protect the state’s historic, tribal, cultural, and environmental resources.
- Confirms that that regulations may provide for floating zones, overlay zones, and planned development districts. (Connecticut courts have held that CGS § 8-2 implicitly grants municipalities the power to use these techniques.) This codifies court rulings.
- Authorizes municipalities to use a vehicle’s miles traveled and vehicle trips generated standard instead of, or in addition to, a “level of service” traffic calculation. This is a municipal option.
- Requires regulations consider the impact of permitted land uses on contiguous municipalities and the planning region; address significant disparities in housing needs and access to educational, occupational, and other opportunities; affirmatively further the purposes of the federal Fair Housing Act; and promote efficient review of proposals and applications.
- Allows “cottage food” operations in residential zones – what some might refer to as home bakers.
- Prohibits regulations from requiring more than one parking space for each studio or one-bedroom dwelling unit or more than two parking spaces for each dwelling unit with two or more bedrooms unless the municipality opts out. Opt-out provisions are outlined in the statute.
- Establishes a Commission on Connecticut’s Development and Future to evaluate policies related to land use, conservation, housing affordability, and infrastructure.
This legislation does not restrict towns and cities’ planning and zoning departments or their actions, and it doesn’t force towns to build specified housing. It also does not reform laws governing affordable housing. It’s aimed to counter narratives that have harmed Connecticut residents too long. A lack of affordable housing prices out seniors from the communities they’ve invested in. It prevents young people from taking opportunities to continue to live in their hometowns and prevents them from taking jobs that could be the start of their careers. When narratives continue about Connecticut residents being priced out of the state, the solution should be to prevent that root issue. This legislation provides every resident with increased opportunities to live and thrive where they wish.
The bill contains significant improvements designed to directly benefit the state. The Commission of Connecticut’s Development and Future has the power to create model codes for municipalities to potentially, voluntarily adopt, saving towns the cost and time of creating codes themselves. It expands training opportunities for local officials already dealing with planning and zoning. Communities will have the freedom to choose to add energy and environmental considerations to their zoning codes and gain training for local officials. It will strengthen the state’s economy and provide a roadmap toward better solutions statewide in future years.
Naugatuck Legislative Delegation Applauds Passage of Bill that Will Put Naugatuck on Stronger Financial Footing
Naugatuck Legislative Delegation Applauds Passage of Bill that Will Put Naugatuck on Stronger Financial Footing
In a joint statement to the press, the Naugatuck legislative delegation consisting of State Senators Joan Hartley and Jorge Cabrera, and State Representatives Rosa C. Rebimbas and David Labriola praised the passage of Senate Bill 967, An Act Authorizing the Borough of Naugatuck to Issue Pension Deficit Funding Bonds. The bill, which passed with strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate, authorizes the borough to take advantage of current low interest rates to refinance its debt by issuing pension deficit bonds (POBs). The aggregate amount is not to exceed the total of past unfunded benefit obligations.
“This is great news for the Borough of Naugatuck. This bill will have no fiscal impact to the state, but it will yield great savings for the municipality and will put the borough on solid financial footing well into the future. This was a bipartisan effort and we thank everyone who made this possible, including Naugatuck Mayor Pete Hess who introduced the idea. We ask Governor Lamont to sign this bill into law so Naugatuck can begin the process of restructuring its debt,” said the Naugatuck legislative delegation.
Sen. Slap Joins Senate Democrats in Approval of Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
Sen. Slap Joins Senate Democrats in Approval of Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
HARTFORD – State Senator Derek Slap this afternoon joined his Democratic state Senate colleagues in approving a much-needed and long-awaited resolution which – if approved by a majority of residents in November 2022 – would end Connecticut’s outdated voting laws by allowing for in-person early voting in both general elections and local referendums.
Currently, the state constitution sets the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November as the only day to vote for legislative and statewide offices; election officials have to receive and declare votes on this one day. Connecticut is one of just six states in America that does not allow for early, in-person voting.
If approved by voters in 2022, the members of the state legislature in January 2023 would then be tasked with writing the early voting regulations.
“Connecticut is so far behind the rest of the nation when it comes to voting rights and granting its citizens the ability for early voting,” Sen. Slap said. “Passage of this resolutions will put the issue to the voters and allow them to have their voice be heard. I am confident they will choose to reform our voting process and strengthen our democracy. Either way, letting them decide is the right thing to do. At a time when other states are rolling back voting rights, Connecticut is going in a positive direction.”
Connecticut is in a small and shrinking group of states – along with Alabama, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and South Carolina – that require all voters to vote in person at a polling place on Election Day unless they present a specific reason why they can’t appear. In 2016, a third of all American voters – nearly 50 million people – voted early; in 2020, that number doubled to more than 100 million, and early voting represented more than two-thirds of all votes cast.
Recent public polling in Connecticut shows that about 80% of Connecticut voters support in-person early voting, including 70% of Republicans, 80% of unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats.
Because of a lack of Republican legislative support for in-person early voting, while this proposal did pass the legislature in 2019, it did so without a ‘supermajority’ of votes in both chambers, and so it needed to pass the Connecticut House and Senate with simple majorities this year before voters can have their say. The resolution passed the Senate today on a 26-9 vote.
Senate Approves Legislation Establishing Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program
Senate Approves Legislation Establishing Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program
The Grant Program Will Support the Installation of Energy Efficient Upgrades and Address Public Health Concerns of Tenants
Today, state Senator Rick Lopes (D-New Britain, Berlin, and Farmington), Senate Chair of the Housing Committee, led approval of legislation that will create an energy efficiency retrofit grant program that will serve to fund upgrades to affordable housing in Connecticut, which will help families save on their utility bills and provide additional protection against health risks such as gas leaks, mold, and air pollution. The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives for further action.
“This common-sense bill advances our state’s efforts to decrease people’s utility costs while advancing solar generation and energy efficiency. This bill will save tenants money, save landlords money and be better for the environment,” said Sen. Lopes.
Senate Bill 356, “An Act Establishing an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program for Affordable Housing,” directs the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to develop an energy efficiency retrofit grant program by September 1, 2021. The program would award funds for energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades to affordable housing, including housing authority property, or dwelling unites owned by a landlord based on the determination of the commissioner of DEEP. These upgrades can include but are not limited to: installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, balanced ventilation, and other devices to reduce negative health effects of mold, gas leaks, asbestos, radon, and lead.
Individuals interested in receiving a grant would apply to the commissioner of DEEP. The application would ask for a description of the proposed project, detail the anticipated benefits the project would have due to the energy efficient upgrades, and the applicant’s technical and financial ability to handle the project, and a project budget.
Grants will be prioritized to applicants that:
- Will upgrade affordable housing or dwelling units for households that include someone who qualifies for utility financial hardship programs or receives means-tested assistance from the state or federal government
- Use local contractors that pay the prevailing wage and make good faith efforts to hire available and qualified Connecticut minority business enterprises – an independent, small contractor owned by women, people of color, or people with disabilities
The grant program would be financed by federal funds and other received funds from parties, such as associations and corporations.
Senate Bill 356 received the support of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV). Emily Alexander, a Climate Policy Advocate for the CTLCV noted in her testimony the benefits of the program for low-income and distressed communities when it comes to health and hardship in paying utility bills. She testified, “These communities are most at risk for air pollution causing lung and heart diseases, and often struggle with utility bills. SB 356 helps to bridge the equity gap that exists between high and low-income communities by allowing savings on utility bills and addressing public health concerns.”
State Senator James Maroney Supports Bill Approving Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
State Senator James Maroney Supports Bill Approving Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
H ARTFORD – Democrats in the state Senate today led the way in approving a much-needed and long-awaited resolution which – if approved by a majority of residents in November 2022 – would end Connecticut’s outdated and burdensome voting laws by allowing for in-person early voting in both general elections and local referendums. State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) joined the Senate in approving the legislation.
Currently, the state constitution sets the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November as the only day to vote for legislative and statewide offices; election officials have to receive and declare votes on this one day. Connecticut is one of just seven states in America that does not allow for early, in-person voting.
“Allowing our residents access to early voting affords people an easier option to place their vote and increases voter turnout,” said Sen. Maroney. “Exercising the right to vote should be made easier, not more difficult. We have the means to allow citizens in Connecticut to cast their ballot before the day of the election. Statistics show us that the larger a sample size is, the smaller the margin of error is. If we allow early voting, more voices will be heard and we as a community will arrive at better decisions.”
Connecticut is in a small and shrinking group of states – along with Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and South Carolina – that require all voters to
vote in person at a polling place on Election Day unless they present a specific reason why they can’t appear. In 2016, a third of all American voters – nearly 50 million people – voted early; in 2020, that number doubled to more than 100 million, and early voting represented more than than two-thirds of all votes cast.
Recent public polling in Connecticut shows that about 80% of Connecticut voters support in-person early voting, including 70% of Republicans, 80% of unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats.
Because of a lack of Republican legislative support for in-person early voting, while this proposal did pass the legislature in 2019, it did so without a ‘supermajority’ of votes in both chambers, and so it needs to pass the Connecticut House and Senate with simple majorities this year before voters can have their say.
The resolution passed the Senate today on a 26-9 vote.
Sen. Cabrera Supports Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
Sen. Cabrera Supports Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Jorge Cabrera (D-Hamden) voted for the passage of a much-needed and long-awaited resolution which – if approved by a majority of residents in November 2022 – would end Connecticut’s outdated and burdensome voting laws by allowing for in-person early voting in both general elections and local referendums.
Currently, the state constitution sets the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November as the only day to vote for legislative and statewide offices; election officials have to receive and declare votes on this one day. Connecticut is one of just seven states in America that does not allow for early, in-person voting.
“The last election proved how integral it is for the health of our democracy that everyone has easy access to the ballot box,” said Sen. Cabrera. “I am proud to vote for this resolution and confident that Connecticut residents will vote to add early voting to our state’s constitution. Democracy cannot work as intended when we all do not have a fair shot to let our voice be heard, and as one of the few states in the country without early voting, it is only right that we make this correction in the general assembly and pass this popular way to cast a ballot off to the voters to decide.”
Connecticut is in a small and shrinking group of states – along with Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and South Carolina – that require all voters to
vote in person at a polling place on Election Day unless they present a specific reason why they
can’t appear. In 2016, a third of all American voters – nearly 50 million people – voted early; in
2020, that number doubled to more than 100 million, and early voting represented more than
than two-thirds of all votes cast.
Recent public polling in Connecticut shows that about 80% of Connecticut voters support in-person early voting, including 70% of Republicans, 80% of unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats.
Because of a lack of Republican legislative support for in-person early voting, while this proposal did pass the legislature in 2019, it did so without a ‘supermajority’ of votes in both chambers, and so it needed to pass the Connecticut House and Senate with simple majorities this year before voters can have their say.
The resolution passed the Senate today on a 26-9 vote and now heads to Governor Ned Lamont for his consideration.
Senate Passes Bill Introduced by State Senator Pat Billie Miller that Will Disclose Salary Ranges and Help Close the Wage Gap
Senate Passes Bill Introduced by State Senator Pat Billie Miller that Will Disclose Salary Ranges and Help Close the Wage Gap
Today, the state Senate passed House Bill 6380, ‘An Act Concerning The Disclosure Of Salary Range For A Vacant Position,’ that was introduced by State Senator Pat Billie Miller (D-Stamford). The bill was approved this evening with a vote of 20-14 and now heads to Governor Lamont to be signed into law.
The bill requires employers to provide both job applicants and their own employees with the wage ranges of their positions, a practice which could help close the wage gap in Connecticut, where women earn an average of 84 cents (or less) for every dollar a man makes for comparable work.
This bill has previously passed the House of Representatives, the Judiciary committee, and the Labor and Public Employee committee on purely partisan votes, with Republicans vehemently opposed to the bill.
“We have the ability to close our gender wage gap in Connecticut and passing this legislation, we are on our way to a more inclusive work environment,” said Sen. Miller. “Disclosing this type of information allows for equal financial treatment in the workplace. This bill addresses pay inequity that women have been subjected to for generations. The gender gap now more then ever has real life consequences for women and family that depend on their earnings. This bill is a step toward recovery, a step toward equity, and a step toward closing the gender and racial gap wages prevalent in our state.”
HB 6380 not only requires the disclosure of salary ranges for a position, it also broadens the standard used to determine whether an employer is discriminating in the amount of compensation it pays to an employee based on sex (i.e., gender wage discrimination), and it allows job applicants and employees to bring a lawsuit to redress violations within two years.
At the February public hearing on the bill, a variety of advocates spoke of the need for salary range disclosures.
“Ensuring both salary range transparency and comparable pay for comparable work can positively impact the wage gap,” testified Liza Andrews, Director of Public Policy & Communications for the Connecticut Coalition Against Domestic Violence. “Studies show that when job applicants are clearly informed about the context for negotiations – including the range and types of compensation and benefits available – women are more successful at salary negotiation, which increases their earnings and closes the wage gap.”
“When an employer asks a job applicant what his or her salary expectations are without providing the applicant any information about the pay for the position, women and people of color lose out. Studies show that women often ask for less when they negotiate than men, even when the women applicants are otherwise equally qualified,” testified Andrea Johnson, Director of State Policy, Workplace Justice & Cross-Cutting Initiatives for the National Women’s Law Center. “Since employers tend to anchor salary negotiations, consciously or subconsciously, on the job applicant’s first request, providing applicants with a salary range that the employer is willing to pay helps level the negotiating playing field and reduces gender and racial wage gaps.”
“The wage gap begins with a woman’s first job after college and adds up over time,” testified Susan Eastwood, a board member of Permanent Commission on the Status of Women in Connecticut. “These inequities in pay have consequences for Connecticut families, and as a whole they have national impacts. Women’s earnings are critical to economic growth: if women received equal pay, the United States economy would produce additional income of $512.6 billion.”
If signed into law, the bill would take effect beginning October 1.
Sen. Daugherty Abrams Supports Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
Sen. Daugherty Abrams Supports Resolution Allowing for Early Voting Constitutional Change in Connecticut
HARTFORD, CT – Today, state Senator Mary Daugherty Abrams (D-Meriden, Middlefield, Rockfall, Middletown, Cheshire) voted for the passage of a much-needed and long-awaited resolution which – if approved by a majority of residents in November 2022 – would end Connecticut’s outdated and burdensome voting laws by allowing for in-person early voting in both general elections and local referendums.
Connecticut is one of seven states – along with Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, Mississippi, New Hampshire, and South Carolina – that require all voters to vote at a polling place on Election Day unless they present a specific reason why they can’t appear. In 2016, a third of all American voters – nearly 50 million people – voted early; in 2020, that number doubled to more than 100 million, and early voting represented more than two-thirds of all votes cast.
“Today is a great day for democracy in the state of Connecticut,” said Sen. Daugherty Abrams. “We know how important it is to our state and country to provide everyone with the opportunity and access to vote. Last year’s election showed how well our state can handle common sense changes to allow for more people to vote and I m confident the voters will choose to add early voting to our state’s constitution.”
Recent public polling in Connecticut shows that about 80% of Connecticut voters support in-person early voting, including 70% of Republicans, 80% of unaffiliated voters, and 85% of Democrats.
Sen. Hartley and Rep. Napoli Release Statement Responding to Recent Rise in Anti-Semitism
Sen. Hartley and Rep. Napoli Release Statement Responding to Recent Rise in Anti-Semitism
Today, state Senator Joan Hartley and state Representative Ronald Napoli Jr., members of
the Waterbury legislative delegation, released the following statement regarding an increase in
antisemitism in the United States amid recent confrontations between Israel and Hamas:
“It is incredibly distressing that the recent confrontations between Israel and Hamas have
enabled a surge in hate speech and acts of violence toward the Jewish community here in the
United States. These horrific, hateful acts have caused fear and heartache in families across the
Jewish community, and we stand with them in denouncing this rise in antisemitism. Hate and
intolerance have no place in a free and inclusive society.”
State Senator Joan V. Hartley
15th Senate District
State Representative Ron Napoli Jr.
73rd House District
Senator Anwar Joins Senate To Support Legislation Establishing Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program For Affordable Housing
Senator Anwar Joins Senate To Support Legislation Establishing Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program For Affordable Housing
Today, State Senator Saud Anwar (D-South Windsor) voted in support with his colleagues in the State Senate to pass legislation creating an energy efficiency retrofit grant program that will serve to fund upgrades to affordable housing in Connecticut that will help families save on their utility bills and provide additional protection against health risks such as gas leaks, mold, and air pollution. The bill now moves to the state House of Representatives for further action. Sen. Anwar is Vice Chair of the Housing Committee.
“We are far behind in having enough affordable housing in Connecticut, and some existing homes have indoor air and energy efficiency challenges,” said Sen. Anwar. “Having an energy efficiency retrofit grant program will allow us to rehabilitate housing needing help from an environmental and energy perspective while giving options to our workforce and our state in affordable housing.”
Senate Bill 356, “An Act Establishing an Energy Efficiency Retrofit Grant Program for Affordable Housing,” directs the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection to develop an energy efficiency retrofit grant program by September 1, 2021. The program would award funds for energy efficiency and weatherization upgrades to affordable housing, including housing authority property. These upgrades can include but are not limited to: installation of rooftop solar photovoltaic panels, heat pumps, balanced ventilation, and other devices to reduce negative health effects of mold, gas leaks, asbestos, radon, and lead.
Individuals interested in receiving a grant would apply to the commissioner of DEEP. The application would ask for a description of the proposed project, detail the anticipated benefits the project would have due to the energy efficient upgrades, and the applicant’s technical and financial ability to handle the project, and a project budget.
Grants will be prioritized to applicants that:
- Will upgrade affordable housing for households that include someone who qualifies for utility financial hardship programs or receives means-tested assistance from the state or federal government
- Use local contractors that pay the prevailing wage
- Make good faith efforts to hire available and qualified Connecticut minority business enterprises – an independent, small contractor owned by women, people of color, or people with disabilities
The grant program would be financed by federal funds and other received funds from parties, such as associations and corporations.
Senate Bill 356 received the support of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters (CTLCV). Emily Alexander, a Climate Policy Advocate for the CTLCV noted in her testimony the benefits of the program for low-income and distressed communities when it comes to health and hardship in paying utility bills. She testified, “These communities are most at risk for air pollution causing lung and heart diseases, and often struggle with utility bills. SB 356 helps to bridge the equity gap that exists between high and low-income communities by allowing savings on utility bills and addressing public health concerns.”