Gov. Malloy’s budget proposal shifts the state’s burdens onto towns and will lead to significant local property tax hikes.

What can you do about it?

I urge taxpayers in Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston, and Westport to speak out.

A public hearing on this topic is being held today and tonight at the Legislative Office Building.

Those who wish to testify can do so today – and in the future – by:

1. sending an email to: AppTestimony@cga.ct.gov (the email may be as brief as you like)
2. copying me at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov
3. putting “Education Budget Cuts” in the Subject Line
4. sharing this information with concerned property taxpayers.

Tell state lawmakers to craft a state budget which is fair to towns, schools and taxpayers!

The governor’s budget documents can be viewed at: http://www.ct.gov/opm/cwp/view.asp?a=2958&Q=590066&PM=1

HARTFORD- Fairfield state legislators on Feb. 16 participated in a wide-ranging the discussion at the Legislative Office Building on the controversial 1990 affordable housing state law known as “8-30g”.

Housing Committee Chair Sen. Tony Hwang, Ranking Member Rep. Brenda Kupchick, and Rep. Laura Devlin said the public hearing was an opportunity to:

• Receive input from local zoning officials, community leaders and residents from impacted neighborhoods.
• Boost affordable and workforce housing stock for seniors, working families, and disabled residents.
• Develop innovative housing policies for urban, suburban and rural communities.

“We asked area residents to make their voices heard in Hartford, and they did exactly that,” Sen. Hwang said. “Housing policy impacts so many other policies, so when we get the chance to improve a nearly three-decades-old state law, we need to do it in a comprehensive way. We thank everyone who took the time to express their viewpoints and we continue to urge people contact us with their thoughts on how to make Connecticut’s housing policies a role model for the rest of the nation.”

Rep. Brenda Kupchick, the ranking member of the Housing Committee said, “After years of attending town planning and zoning meetings, I’ve seen first-hand how this statute can be used to overbuild and override local zoning laws. We’ve been meeting with housing advocates, members of our local zoning officials to identify helpful changes. Massachusetts has a similar affordable housing statue that has been far more effective and isn’t punitive. Thursday’s public hearing was enlightening”.

“While well-intended to increase affordable housing in our state when enacted in 1989, the Affordable Housing and Land Use Appeals Act, state statute 8-30g in fact is not working to achieve its intended goal. Current law has made it more difficult for municipalities to comply and offers an unfair advantage to developers,” said Rep. Laura Devlin. “The modifications brought forth in the proposals discussed today will help communities meet the goal of increasing affordable housing across Connecticut and address the unintended consequences that have resulted from this statute.”

Joining the lawmakers were the co-chairs of the Town of Fairfield Affordable Housing Committee: Robert Frigo and Cynthia Sammarco.

According to the both Mr. Frigo and Ms. Sammarco, the Affordable Housing Committee believes that 8-30g needs to be amended for several reasons. One primary reason is to address predatory practices by developers who use the existing regulations, not for the purpose of serving low-income families, but instead are motivated purely by profit, regardless of how their development may affect the neighborhood and the surrounding homes and for many residents, equity in these homes represents the bulk of their retirement savings.

• The public may email their comments about ways to improve the law to HSGtestimony@cga.ct.gov. (Comments may be as brief as you like. Include your name and town.)
• Put “Improve 8-30g” in the email’s subject line.
• Copy Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov, Brenda.Kupchick@cga.ct.gov and Laura.Devlin@cga.ct.gov

I’m looking forward to serving as Co-Chair for Thursday’s public hearing at the Legislative Office Building on the controversial 1990 affordable housing state law known as “8-30g”.

It’s an opportunity to:

1. Receive input from local zoning officials, community leaders and residents from impacted neighborhoods.
2. Boost affordable and workforce housing stock for CT seniors, working families, and disabled residents.
3. Develop innovative housing policies for urban, suburban and rural communities which make CT a role model for the nation.

What can YOU do?

1. Email your comments today to HSGtestimony@cga.ct.gov. (The comment may be as brief as you like. Include your name and town.)
2. Put “Improve 8-30g” in the email’s subject line.
3. Copy me on the email at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov

Thank you!

Senior advocates from Fairfield on Feb. 7 joined Sen. Tony Hwang at the State Capitol to speak in favor of legislation to exempt Social Security payments from the Connecticut income tax.

“We are trying to eliminate the state tax on Social Security, and I really appreciate that area seniors are joining me in speaking out for this tax relief,” said Sen. Hwang, who serves as Vice Chair of the legislature’s Aging Committee.

Sen. Hwang said residents can continue to speak out in favor of providing tax relief to seniors across Connecticut by:
Email a brief comment to the Aging Committee at: AGEtestimony@cga.ct.gov
In the subject line, put “Support Bill 6987 / Eliminate the tax on Social Security”
Include your name and town.
Copy Sen. Hwang on the email at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov
For more info on Bill No. 6987: www.cga.ct.gov/2017/TOB/h/2017HB-06987-R00-HB.htm .
*Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport . On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com .

Attached photo, left to right: Gordon MacKenzie, Sen. Tony Hwang, and Robert Frigo.