Case, Republicans Attempt to Improve Food Access Bill
HARTFORD – On Thursday, the Human Services Committee met to act on H.B. 6854 – An Act Establishing the Office of the Food Access Advocate and Tax Incentives for Grocery Stores in Food Deserts. The legislation seeks to encourage grocery stores to expand operations in parts of the state that lack food shopping options through a newly established tax credit. State Rep. Case, however, raised concern with the language of the bill before the committee acted on it.
“Food deserts can be found in Connecticut’s rural areas. Unfortunately, with the underlying requirement that certain labor agreements be enacted for grocery stores to access tax credit dollars, participation will be limited. Mom and pop shops are necessary for this program to work, but with the excessive red tape and operating stipulations, many small businesses won’t end up applying for this tax credit,” said Case.
An amendment was offered to remove the labor requirements from the bill language, with the goal of expanding eligibility and increasing participation. Despite Case’s support, the amendment failed along party lines.
“It’s disheartening that this amendment failed. It would have addressed the concerns I put forth by creating an equal playing field for all of Connecticut’s grocery stores. The result is a bill that only accomplishes part of what it was intended to do, while making it harder for certain towns to improve food accessibility,” stated Case.
The bill was ultimately moved forward by the committee, with no change to the grocery store operating requirements. As a result of the amendment failing, Case and other Republicans on the committee opposed the underlying bill. Regardless, the language will continue to be vetted by the legislature over the coming weeks.
If it is called by the Speaker of the House for a vote, Case remains optimistic that there will be improvements made to it. The House must take favorable action on the bill before the conclusion of session, which is Wednesday, June 7th, for it to become law.
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