Capitol Report

With the session coming to an end on June 9th, it appears that the legislative leadership will continue to keep the Capitol closed to the public, despite the statewide lifting of business restrictions, and the governor ordering state government staff back to their offices.

This week, we deliberated on several bills, the most significant concerned zoning and gambling. Also, I would like to discuss the burgeoning black bear population.

Zoning

The House passed HB 6107 to increase state control over local zoning. I voted “no” in favor of retaining local control. The bill next goes to the senate.

Key components of the bill:

• Represents a “significant first step” towards the Hartford takeover of local zoning. Those are the words of Sara Bronin, the leader of Desegregate CT, an organization advocating for state control over zoning and later echoed by House Majority Leader Jason Rojas on the floor of the House.
• Requires towns and cities to allow accessory apartment (also known as accessory dwelling units) “as of right” – meaning that zoning regulations cannot prohibit their construction
• Sets limits on the number of parking spaces that can be required, capping the number of spaces required to one for one-bedroom units and two for units with two or more bedrooms.
• Makes several changes to the Zoning Enabling Act (Section 8-2 of the general statutes) including the deletion of maintaining the “character” of a municipality as the basis for zoning regulations.

Online Casino Gaming

I voted yes on House Bill 6451, which was the agreement between the state, the Mashantucket Pequot and the Mohegan Tribes to allow online gaming. The tens of millions in tax revenue generated from this agreement stand to benefit the region and the entire state of Connecticut. The agreement takes a step further by utilizing around $3 million of the gaming revenue to gambling addiction prevention and treatment.

Key components of the agreement include:

• 18% tax rate for the first five years on new online commercial casino gaming offerings, followed by a 20% tax rate for at least the next five years
• 13.75% tax rate on sports wagering
• Connecticut Lottery shall have the right to operate 15 retail sports betting locations, as well as operate an online sports betting skin
• Connecticut Lottery shall have the right to sublicense locations to the state-licensed parimutuel operator
• Connecticut Lottery will undertake new retail sports betting venues in Hartford and Bridgeport
• License agreement to be for ten years with a five-year extension option
• Both tribes agree to halt development of an East Windsor casino through the duration of this agreement

Black Bears in our community

Sadly, a bear was a hit by a car last night on Mountain Road in Granby in the vicinity of where someone is allegedly feeding bears. As our state’s estimated black bear population of 1,200 continues to grow, the risk of hazardous human-bear interactions and property damage increases. Bears are abundant in the 62nd District, and sightings are likely grossly underreported. There have been multiple instances of bears injuring dogs, killing livestock, and being hit by cars. To compound matters, there are a few who deliberately feed bears. Feeding bears habituates them to human-provided food sources. It increases the likelihood of adverse incidents such as vehicle accidents, and causes those nearby to fear for their children and pets.

On Monday, May 17th, I attended the Granby Board of Selectmen meeting to listen to a discussion of a possible ordinance to prohibit bear feeding. Barkhamsted, East Granby, Hartland, and Simsbury have passed such ordinances. I do not know of any citations issued under them. Hartland cited the owner of a property which hosted a wildlife tourism business where bears were fed, but those citations were for zoning violations. I attended that 4 ½ hour hearing.

At the state level, there are two proposed bills to prohibit bear feeding. Senator Witkos introduced Senate Bill 137, to which I signed on as a co-sponsor. Also, I introduced House Bill 5627 which would prohibit bear feeding, and allow limited bear hunting. Unfortunately, the Environmental Committee did not raise either of these bills this session.

When proposing a town ordinance or state law to prohibit bear feeding, there are some questions to consider:

• Should it include other wildlife, such as bobcats, and coyotes, or other animals?
• Should it include inadvertent feeding, such as by bird feeders?
• What is the manpower impact on the agency required to enforce?
• Would the law/ordinance be an undue infringement on individual liberty?
• Are there existing laws that could be used to prevent bear feeding?

Regarding the last question, the possibility that a person could be cited for breach of peace, for creating a hazardous public condition, was suggested at the above-mentioned Selectmen’s Meeting. I found this course of action intriguing, and am under the impression that Granby would explore that.

Report bear sightings here

Click here to learn more about black bears, and how to better live with them

Juvenile Car Thefts

House Republican Leaders on Thursday issued the following statement in response to reports of a vehicle stolen in Manchester with a child inside:

House Republican Leaders Statement on Democrats’ Inaction on Juvenile Motor Vehicle Theft Crisis

“We started this legislative session with a clear message from Connecticut residents frustrated by the increasing threat of motor vehicle-related crimes committed by juveniles. They wanted the General Assembly to tackle this public safety crisis, yet here we are, with roughly three weeks left before the session’s end, and we’re no closer to being able to tell our constituents that state government has taken any step toward addressing this issue. Today, we awoke to learn of yet another crime where a vehicle was stolen with a child in the car—the third in a month. This frightening incident is a clear signal that majority Democrats have failed to take these crimes seriously, even letting their own bill (approved in a bipartisan Judiciary Committee vote) die on the vine. We urge our colleagues across the aisle to use what little time we have left before adjournment to address this critical situation. The public deserves swift, responsible action to address this crisis.”