All across Connecticut, citizens and leaders of all political persuasions are imploring Gov. Ned Lamont to stop this monster bill from becoming law…

"I urgently call on Governor Lamont to reconsider his support for H.B. 5002 and veto this deeply flawed legislation. This bill represents one of the most aggressive attacks on local control our state has seen," said Sen. Ryan Fazio in a statement:

"What began as a one-page bill on homelessness has transformed into a 160-page omnibus filled with top-down mandates that override the voices of our towns and cities. It was rushed through the legislature with major amendments added only days ago and narrowly passed in the dead of night after a 2 AM filibuster. This is not how legislators should be serving constituents.

H.B. 5002 strips power from our communities by forcing massive housing mandates through provisions like:

• “Fair Share,” which demands our district build thousands of residential units, regardless of local capacity or planning, or lose access to critical state funds for clean water and infrastructure.
• “Work Live Ride,” which imposes dense as-of-right development near transit—up to nine units per lot—again under threat of losing hundreds of millions in state funding.
• Elimination of local parking requirements for developments under 24 units, effectively tying the hands of local Planning & Zoning boards.
• Legal cost burdens on towns in 8-30g cases force taxpayers to pay developers’ legal fees in certain lawsuits.
• A ban on so-called “hostile architecture,” which would even prohibit simple design elements like armrests on park benches, undermining local decisions about public safety and space.

This bill is not about thoughtful reform. It is about stripping local leaders of the ability to guide growth responsibly in their communities. It’s about forcing density from the top down, with little concern for infrastructure, public input, or community character.

I urge the governor to veto H.B. 5002. Let’s go back to the drawing board, work together across the aisle, and find real solutions that address housing affordability—without gutting local control. Our towns and cities deserve a seat at the table—not a mandate from Hartford."

After HB-5002 passed the legislature, Rep. Tina Courpas hand-delivered a letter to Gov. Lamont, in which she wrote:

I view the Bill as an all-out assault on local control of zoning. It combines multiple state-level housing frameworks into one (e.g., Fair Share quotas, Transit-Oriented Development), imposes onerous parking limitations, and usurps the rights of our citizens to have input in their own communities.

I ask you to veto the Bill and allow towns and cities to build affordable housing according to their local zoning.

Hmmm… Reps. Steven Meskers and Hector Arzeno have been accused of getting a “hall pass” to vote against HB-5002 because their votes weren't needed by the majority party.

Their silence at this critical moment is deafening.

"While we share your commitment to addressing Connecticut's housing challenges, this bill imposes sweeping, unfunded state mandates that undermine local governance, economic vitality, and thoughtful planning goals we know you deeply value," wrote Greenwich First Selectman Fred Camillo in a three-page letter to Gov. Ned Lamont.

(Read Camillo's full letter here for a detailed breakdown of the biggest problems with HB-5002.)

"By focusing on zoning and superficial measures, HB 5002 fails to address the real issues and, thus, fails us all," Non-Partisan Greenwich Planning & Zoning Chair Margarita Alban wrote (in her own, unofficial capacity):

HB 5002 fails because it doesn’t address funding or economics. The bill presses municipalities to increase housing density. In the face of that, it’s worth knowing Greenwich Planning & Zoning has recently approved over 1,000 new housing units. Yet, many of those housing units aren’t being built. […]

Builders tell us they are struggling with increases in materials costs, interest rate hikes and tariff uncertainty.

Other towns are hearing the same from their developers. That’s why approved housing projects aren’t moving ahead, not only here but throughout the State. Shifting economics.

Zoning approvals accomplish little if there is no financial support to enable greater affordability. I’ve pleaded with legislators from all over the State to create mechanisms for funding Affordable Housing Trusts. Yet, this awkward 86-page legislation does not address the one overriding challenge of funding.

What does HB5002 do other than seek density? It prohibits certain parking requirements, facilitates conversion of commercial space to residential, makes it more difficult for zoning commissions to protect the health and safety of residents, encourages development near transportation, and implements more reporting requirements. I don’t see how any of that advances affordability goals. 

Democratic first selectman of Fairfield Bill Gerber wrote in a letter to Gov. Lamont:

On behalf of the Town of Fairfield, I respectfully ask that you veto HB 5002. Fairfield has added hundreds of affordable housing units and recently qualified for a 4-year moratorium from zoning-override applications made under 8-30g.

The ink was barely dry on our moratorium notification before the CT State legislature passed a new affordable housing development framework in HB 5002 that, if allowed to proceed, will require Fairfield to add hundreds more affordable units.

You would understand better than most how capricious, arcane regulations can be bad for business. I have made several attempts to read and understand HB 5002 and it is not easy. It does not present itself as a practical solution to a very complex and important problem. It reads like the result of an ivory tower brainstorming session held by well-intentioned folks with little real-world experience.

Will Connecticut's towns and villages keep the right to govern ourselves? Or will we be compelled to adopt a state-wide monoculture of densely packed people, overwhelmed infrastructure and services, and blight?

It's all down to what Gov. Lamont decides to do.

Urge him to VETO HB-5002!

Call Gov. Lamont: 860-566-4840
or email Gov. Lamont through his website.