Caucus Statement on H.B. 5002

On behalf of the Connecticut Senate Republican Caucus, Sen. Stephen Harding issued the following statement regarding Gov. Ned Lamont’s veto of anti-local control legislation House Bill 5002.

“Good. All Senate Republicans voted against this anti-local control legislation. After Democrats passed it, Senate Republicans have been urging the governor to veto this deeply flawed bill. Some Democrats even joined us in demanding a veto. There is bipartisan recognition that this terrible bill represents one of the most aggressive attacks on local control our state has seen.

What began as a one-page bill on homelessness was transformed into a 160-page monster. It was filled with top-down mandates that override the voices of our towns and cities. It was rushed through the legislature and voted on at 2:30 AM. This is not how legislators should be serving constituents.

Let’s now go back to the drawing board, work together across the aisle, and find real bipartisan solutions that address housing affordability—without gutting local control. Our towns and cities deserve a seat at the table—not a mandate from Hartford.”