Hartford, CT – State Representative Irene Haines (R-34) voted “no” during last night’s Special Session on the legislature’s newly revised housing bill, citing the state’s growing overreach into local planning decisions and the bill’s shift toward making Hartford—not communities—the driver of housing development across Connecticut.

“This was a frustrating day and night for anyone who believes in open, collaborative government,” said Rep. Haines. “This bill hands sweeping new authority to the state while sidelining the people who know their communities best. It doesn’t create housing this year, or even next year, yet it gives Hartford unprecedented control over how our towns must grow. That is not how you address an emergency—or make good policy.”

Rep. Haines, who represents East Haddam, East Hampton, and Salem, said the legislation places unrealistic and risky obligations on small and rural towns, many of which are already stretched thin.

“Instead of supporting towns, this bill turns the state into a top-down housing developer, dictating quotas and forcing municipalities into new planning obligations that many simply cannot meet,” she said. “Local governments are left with all the liability, while Hartford gets all the authority. That is unfair and unworkable.”

The bill passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 90–56 and now moves to the State Senate.

Among Rep. Haines’ chief concerns are provisions that:

• Force towns or regions to adopt new state-directed housing growth plans under threat of losing key protections;
• Remove local parking minimums for smaller projects, which could strain infrastructure in small and rural communities;
• Require regional planning bodies to enforce state-imposed “Fair Share” housing quotas, pushing them into a regulatory role they were never designed for; and
• Establish a new statewide housing council—largely appointed by the Governor—with broad authority to shape zoning and housing policy across all towns.

“Small towns like ours work every day to meet the needs of our residents,” Haines said. “But East Haddam isn’t Hartford. Salem isn’t Bridgeport. One-size-fits-all mandates ignore the unique realities of our communities and put them at unnecessary risk.”

Rep. Haines emphasized that she supports thoughtful, responsible housing growth but believes solutions must originate at the local level rather than be imposed from above.

“Good housing policy starts with honest discussion and respect for local input,” she said. “Instead, we were given a rushed bill, rewritten behind closed doors, and handed to towns without the resources to carry it out. I voted no because our communities deserve better—and I’ll continue fighting for the people I represent.”