Senate Republicans to Governor Lamont: Veto H.B. 5002 – A Special Session Is No Substitute for Responsible Governing

HARTFORD, CT – Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield) and Senator Jeff Gordon (R-Woodstock), Ranking Member of the Planning & Development Committee, issued the following joint statement in response to reports that Governor Lamont is considering calling a special legislative session to “fix” House Bill 5002 after it has already passed both chambers of the General Assembly:

“Where was the action during the legislative session? Where was the leadership when the House and Senate debated this bill? Where was the push for collaboration before H.B. 5002 was rushed through the process?

Now, after the vote, after public outcry, after widespread concern, and after acknowledging the ‘red flags’, the Governor is suggesting a special session to clean up a bill he admits he wasn’t fully engaged with during its development?

This is not how responsible governing works. It is not good policy making. If the Governor now sees flaws in the bill, as so many others have, there is a clear and immediate solution: Veto H.B. 5002.

Let’s stop this misguided government takeover of local land use authority before it becomes law. Then, and only then, can we begin a meaningful, collaborative, and bipartisan process to address housing affordability as part of the broader affordability crisis facing Connecticut families.

Our residents deserve better than rushed mandates, top-down control, and after-the-fact regrets. They deserve leadership that listens, engages early, and puts people before politics.”