Sen. Tony Hwang on Feb. 22 welcomed Sacred Heart University Athletic Training students to the State Capitol. The students came to Hartford to lobby for their vocational scope of practice, and they were given a tour of the historic Senate Chamber by Sen. Hwang. The students were able to sit in the Charter Oak Chair, also called “The Wishing Chair.” The chair was carved in 1857 from the fallen Charter Oak tree, which in 1687 hid the self-governing charter given to the Connecticut colony by King Charles II in 1662. The Charter was hidden to prevent British officials from returning it to King James II. Those who take tours of the State Capitol are allowed to briefly sit in “The Wishing Chair” and make a wish. Sen. Hwang encourages area residents to contact him whenever they plan on visiting the Capitol. Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport . He can be reached at 800-842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov . On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com. Attached photo, left to right: Meagan Hanley, Bridget Kampf, Sen. Hwang, Jordan Velez, Sarah Jaquith.

“No More Casinos in CT”

State Sen. Tony Hwang (center) on Feb. 23 spoke with reporters at the Legislative Office Building about why he opposes efforts to open a commercial casino in the Hartford area. Hwang cited the economic and social costs of more legalized gambling in Connecticut. He and a newly formed, non-partisan, 12-group alliance have joined forces to oppose the legalization of off-reservation commercial casino gambling in the Constitution State. For more information on the alliance: www.NoMoreCasinosInCT.org . Hwang represents Fairfield, Newtown, Westport, Weston and Easton. He can be reached at 800-842-1421 and at Tony.Hwang@cga.ct.gov . On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com .

Sen. Hwang Stands Behind Effort to Make Changes to 8-30g Housing Law

Housing Committee Chair Sen. Tony Hwang on Feb. 16 participated in a wide-ranging discussion at the Legislative Office Building on the controversial 1990 affordable housing state law known as “8-30g”.

Sen. Hwang 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.
· Provide exemptions due to environmental and watershed impact.

Sen. Hwang noted that more than 80 percent of Easton and more than 50 percent of Weston are watershed areas and said that part of the discussion should focus on environmental protections.

“We asked area residents to make their voices heard in Hartford, and they are doing 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 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.”

· The public may continue to 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

Attached photo: Working to Update Improve CT Housing Policies. Left to right: Housing Committee Chair Larry Butler (D-Waterbury), Easton resident Jeff Becker, Housing Committee Chair Sen. Tony Hwang (R-28th District). Sen. Hwang represents Easton, Fairfield, Newtown, Weston and Westport . On the web: www.SenatorHwang.com .

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!