1000 Friends of Connecticut Blog

Smart Growth Retains Young Talent

2012-01-31T05:34:00.002-05:00

Our very own Nichole Strack was recently featured in the Hartford Courant's "FreshTalk" for her views on how Connecticut can improve its retention of young professionals:

"I live in Connecticut partly by choice, but mostly by coincidence.

I left Ohio to attend Trinity College in Hartford on a full scholarship. When I graduated, I faced two options. I could leave Connecticut and start fresh in Tampa, Fla., living for free with my favorite grandparent, or I could accept the job that I had been offered here.

I stayed.

I am now the voice of 1000 Friends of Connecticut, a coalition of smart growth advocates determined to curb sprawling development and improve our quality of life. One of the first conferences I attended in my new role posed a way to measure sustainability in Connecticut: How many 15- to 25-year-olds want to stay in the state after graduating from high school or college?

Now, seven months have passed and I cannot help but wonder, "Why do I want to live here?"

...Read the full op-ed at the Courant's web site.

Smart Growth = Economic Development

2012-01-31T04:54:00.005-05:00

1000 Friends of Connecticut hosted the final event in its Speaker Series on Thursday, January 19, in the Great Hall of Union Station in downtown Hartford, featuring Tom Condon from the Hartford Courant and Commissioner Catherine Smith from the Department of Economic and Community Development. The overarching message that Smart Growth is economic development was heard by all throughout the evening. Moreover, the Smart Growth group demonstrated a shift in its own message as Tom Condon and Commissioner Smith highlighted not only what Smart Growth prevents, but what it produces.

Commissioner Smith spoke to using her agency to promote healthy cities, rational mass transit, and compact, walkable communities. She reported meeting regularly with the Dept. of Energy and Environmental Protection and the Dept. of Transportation to ensure that moving forward, economic development happens around individuals and existing communities, as opposed to automobiles and parking lots.

If you missed the event, there are a few ways to catch up: You can read Tom Condon's opinion editorial, "Smart Growth is Economic Development," by clicking here, or you can watch the evening's program on CT-N.

DECD Commissioner to Outline Smart Growth Agenda

2012-01-17T10:49:00.003-05:00

PRESS RELEASE

For more information, Contact:

Nichole Strack, Executive Director

1000 Friends of Connecticut

(860) 523-0003 or (860) 906-4020

HARTFORD, CT—Catherine Smith, Commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development, will outline her proposals for sustainable economic development in Connecticut on Thursday, January 19, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in the Great Hall of downtown Hartford's Union Station. Special guest, Tom Condon of the Hartford Courant, who is known for his outspoken commitment to smart growth and improved quality-of-place, will moderate the event.

The event, sponsored by 1000 Friends of Connecticut, is the third in a series concerning the Malloy Administration's smart growth agenda. Previous events included talks by DEEP Commissioner Dan Esty and ConnDOT Commissioner James Redeker, each of whom were asked to speak to how their offices can work together to promote a future in Connecticut marked by economic prosperity and environmental conservation.

“We are encouraged by the caliber of these Commissioners, their grasp of smart growth issues, and especially by their willingness to work with one another,” said Nichole Strack, Executive Director of 1000 Friends of Connecticut. “We look forward to working with Commissioner Smith to make real progress on an agenda that includes revitalized downtowns, compact and walkable town centers, remediated brownfields, and the multi-modal transit options and smart-energy practices that create healthy, thriving regions.”

1000 Friends of Connecticut is a statewide organization whose mission is to promote and shape growth to ensure a prosperous economy, a healthy natural environment, and distinctive, integrated and attractive communities while promoting opportunities in education, housing, transportation, and employment for ourselves and future generations.

The event is free and open to the public. For more information, visit the group’s web site at www.1000Friends-CT.org.

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Curbing Costs in Connecticut with Public-Private Partnerships

2012-01-11T16:07:00.008-05:00

The Board and Staff at 1000 Friends of Connecticut recently asked over 4,000 of our followers if they thought Connecticut can "grow smart" now that strong leaders for our cause are in the Administration. Their responses are still streaming in, but the public at large leans towards wondering whether or not Governor Malloy and his executive agencies are "walking the walk," as opposed to just "talking the talk."

The Commissioners from the Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP), Transportation (ConnDOT), and Economic and Community Development (DECD) have risen above and beyond in terms of staying in the public's eye, but our Friends still want to know more. In theory, linking the environment with transportation, energy-efficiency and the economy makes perfect sense to everyone, especially as election season approaches. But what does it look like in practice?

At Connecticut Transit (CTTRANSIT), it looks like a sixty-foot accordion on wheels. Just yesterday, Commissioners Esty of DEEP and Redeker of ConnDOT applauded the new "bendy buses," as they are known in Britain, for meeting the Federal EPA's 2010 near-zero emissions requirement.

According to CTTransit's web site, Commissioner Esty stated, "DEEP and DOT are working together to create a 21st century transportation network that is a key to rebuilding Connecticut's economy, creating jobs, and making our state an attractive place to live and work. The type of larger-capacity, low-emission bus being deployed ... will help us accomplish those goals--while protecting our air quality and the environment."

Two of these hybrid buses began service on Wednesday, January 11 in Hartford on Park Street and Farmington Avenue. They join CTTransit's fleet of nearly fifty diesel-electric buses and five hydrogen fuel-cell powered buses. In addition to that, their flexible centers allow for their greater size and safe turns, translating into more passengers on the bus and less vehicles mile travelled. The innovative design seats up to fifty-seven people with enough space left over for fifty-five standing passengers, and the interiors of the buses resemble what

one might see in Britain.

The costs of the new buses were fully covered by Federal funds, exemplifying the very opportunities that 1000 Friends of Connecticut's Speaker Series has aimed to highlight. This cross-sector partnership between the privately-owned CTTransit with ConnDOT and DEEP is essential to furthering a Smart Growth agenda that makes real progress in areas including rational mass transit, enhanced energy practices, and the land-use decisions that support them; however, where do the revitalized downtowns and compact, walkable communities come into play? Join 1000 Friends of Connecticut on Thursday, January 19 at Union Station in Hartford and learn how Commissioner Smith's vision for the Department of Economic and Community Development will complement it's sister agencies in a way that maximizes infrastructure investments in a sustainable manner.

For more information on 1000 Friends of Connecticut's Speaker Series, click here.

CTTRANSIT is the ConnDOT-owned bus service serving Greater Hartford, New Haven, and Stamford. Read CTTRANSIT's press release on their new hybrid-electric 60-foot articulated buses here, or contact Phil Fry at pfry@cttransit.com.

Rewire State's Electrical System

2011-12-17T11:34:00.003-05:00

An Op-Ed from the Hartford Courant
By Jefferson B. Davis of Pomfret, who serves on 1000 Friends of Connecticut's Board of Directors.

"Now that Connecticut's electrical power has been fully restored, the typical governmental responses are kicking in: point fingers, hold hearings and propose changes to existing practices. And, as is also typical, the discussions will take place within a distinct silo of a single issue. In this case it is the pre and post storm performance of Connecticut Light & Power.

It doesn't have to be that way. By thinking more broadly and strategically, Connecticut could turn its view forward instead of backward and become a trailblazer in how power is created and distributed while driving new job creation."

Read the rest of the op-ed in the Hartford Courant by following this link: http://www.courant.com/news/opinion/hc-op-davis-independent-generation-key-to-energy-s-20111218,0,6027764.story

A Smart Growth P.O.V. on CTLCV

2011-12-08T19:26:00.003-05:00

Environmentalists gathered earlier this week in downtown Hartford to discuss “Environmental Excellence in a time of Economic Constraint,” signaling the Connecticut League of Conservation Voter’s understanding that Connecticut’s economy can grow while still respecting our state’s historic environmental traditions. The League’s 12^th Annual Environmental Summit featured three riveting panel discussions—spanning across public officials, advocates, and private entrepreneurs who engaged in passionate discussions about topics that are essential to Smart Growth policy and near and dear to 1000 Friends of Connecticut's heart: brownfield remediation, green infrastructure, energy-efficiency, transit-oriented development, and ensuring these initiatives result in a more business-friendly environment (literally) that creates jobs for our residents.

Susan Merrow, President of 1000 Friends’ Board of Directors, spoke on a panel with the commissioners from the Department of Economic and Community Development and the Department of Transportation, along Peter Malkin of Malkin Holdings, LLC about “Transportation, the Environment, and the Economy.” Joe McGee of the Business Council of Fairfield County moderated the discussion, ensuring a proper mix of questions to address the business community’s and environmentalist’ concerns. All agreed that Connecticut’s sprawling development patterns have had disastrous impacts not only on our state’s environment, but also on our residents’ and businesses’ pocketbooks.

According to Commissioner Redeker from ConnDOT, we must invest in developing in areas along transit lines and the government must be upfront with the development community about where state funding will facilitate private investment. Peter Malkin, Chairman of Malkin Holdings LLC, Malkin Properties, and their affiliates, appealed to environmentalists in the room by his response to a question on climate change and the effects of unpredictable weather, brought to the public’s awareness by two recent storms that left hundreds of thousands without power for days on end. Malkin described the “tragedy in cutting down hundreds of thousands of trees to address problems raised by current infrastructure.”

Commissioner Dan Esty of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection provided the keynote speech of the evening. According to the Hartford Courant’s Rick Green, Commissioner Esty stated, “It's not retrenchment. We have an opportunity to remake environmental protection for the 21st century. You can't focus on the environment in isolation.'' CTLCV’s guests left the event with an encouraging sense that the public-private partnerships needed to protect our state’s limited natural resources in a time of economic disparity are finally upon us and everyone involved has moved past “talking the talk” to “walking the walk.”

The Connecticut League of Conservation Voters has identified their legislative priorities for the upcoming session as Water Quality, Land-Use and Open Space Preservation, Energy-Efficiency, a Multi-Modal Transportation System, reducing exposure to Toxins and Waste, and ensuring DEEP has the resources needed to be effective. 1000 Friends of Connecticut gives kudos to the League for its efforts in keeping issues moving forward in a way that benefits the environment and the economy at the same time.

If you missed the event, you can listen to it on WNPR or watch it on CT-N.

Commissioner Redeker Outlines ConnDOT's Vision

2011-12-05T15:24:00.004-05:00

1000 Friends of Connecticut joined Commissioner Redeker from the state Department of Transportation and Mayor DeStefano last Thursday in downtown New Haven to discuss the new Commissioner's vision for his agency. Commissioner Redeker brings with him a deep experience of mass transit--bus and rail--to the agency, along with an invigorating commitment to institutionalizing principles of Smart Growth within ConnDOT.

In addition to his experience and commitment, Redeker has the support of the Malloy Administration. His agency is working closely with the Department of Economic and Community Development and the new Department of Energy and Environmental Protection--a prerequisite to 1000 Friends' Smart Growth Agenda that restores economic vitality to our state's regions.

If you missed the event, you can watch it on CT-N, or read the Yale Daily News coverage of Redeker's inspiring vision here.

Commissioner Esty Applauds 1000 Friends of Connecticut

2011-10-28T14:17:00.014-04:00

Several new faces joined 1000 Friends of Connecticut last night in the City Trust Building Complex, a mixed-use development located centrally in downtown Bridgeport, for an intimate meet-and-greet with Mayor Finch of Bridgeport and Commissioner Dan Esty of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

1000 Friends of Connecticut provided members of the community and important key-players in Bridgeport with a unique opportunity to shake hands with Mayor Finch and Commissioner Esty and to learn more about issues that affect their everyday lives at an exclusive Leadership Reception.

Afterwards, the two public officials spoke to the public on their respective initiatives and the prospects of furthering a Smart Growth agenda as engines of growth wake from the recession all around us. Commissioner Esty stressed the importance of partnerships in this critical time--not only between local, state, and the federal government--but the cross-sector partnerships that 1000 Friends of Connecticut and its Smart Growth agenda represents. The Commissioner gave thanks to 1000 Friends for bringing so many different stakeholders to one table and for embracing the type of collaboration that's required to address our state's limited resources and fiscal constraints.

Mayor Finch and Commissioner Esty both reported that bright times are ahead, but reaching it and maintaining it requires commitment not only from the government, but on the ground as well. Join the thousands in our collaboration to curb sprawling development by signing up for our Campaign to Grow Connecticut Smart or by making a contribution. Get more information at our web site. While you're there, register to hear Commissioner Redeker at the 2nd Speaking Event in our Fall Speaker Series!

Commissioner Dan Esty to Speak about Smart Growth

2011-10-19T14:16:00.000-04:00

Bridgeport, CT—Commissioner Dan Esty of the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection will be speaking to the public on his agency’s visions for creating a sustainable development model supported by smart land-use decisions that integrate rational mass transit, economic development, and smart-energy practices on Thursday, October 27, 2011 at 6:30 P.M at the City Trust Building Complex in downtown Bridgeport, Connecticut.

The free event kicks off 1000 Friends of Connecticut’s fall speaker series, “Putting Connecticut Back on its Tracks,” which aims to highlight the rare opportunities our regions face in curbing the sprawling development that has turned our highways into parking lots every morning and every evening during rush hour. The series as a whole speaks to the prospect of furthering a Smart Growth agenda as the fiscally responsible solution to our state’s economic and environmental threats.

Nichole Strack, 1000 Friends’ Executive Director, stated, “As we speak, Governor Malloy is focusing his attention on economic growth and job creation. With the legislative session a few short months away, we have our best opportunity in years to make a difference on smart land-use planning and economic development.”

Susan Merrow, 1000 Friends’ Chair of Directors, added, “This event gives our stakeholders and our public officials a perfect occasion to break free from the frustration of finding themselves working in silos and we are all excited to contribute to the dialogue that will continue into next year’s legislative session.”

1000 Friends of Connecticut, a statewide Smart Growth education and advocacy non-profit, will host two more events this fall, featuring Commissioner James Redeker of Connecticut’s Department of Transportation in New Haven and Commissioner Catherine Smith of the Department of Economic and Community Development in Hartford. For more information, visit the group’s web site at www.1000Friends-CT.org.

A letter from the Director

2011-09-19T23:59:00.004-04:00

Dear Friends,

On behalf of 1000 Friends of Connecticut's Board of Directors, I am proud to announce that 1000 Friends of Connecticut is moving forward with several new initiatives.

Two years ago, our group lead the effort to codify the six livability principles of Smart Growth into legislation. Our Board of Directors and former President, Heidi Green, fought for these principles to guide the State Plan of Conservation and Development so that Connecticut's future generations would inherit a more viable economy, without sacrificing our state's natural resources. Yet our state faces many of the same problems today as it did prior to this legislative enactment.

I-91 and I-95 still become parking lots during the morning and evening rush-hours. The lack of private, economic development in the state has exacerbated the pressure felt by municipalities to rely on property taxes as a form of revenue. Gas and energy prices continue to climb, unemployment persists, and our citizens, particularly the elderly, disabled, and young children, are increasingly becoming vulnerable users of the state's roadways, with Connecticut ranking 29th in the nation on the Pedestrian Danger Index according to Transportation for America's report, Dangerous by Design.

As you read this, the State Plan of C&D is being re-drafted. But at this point in time, the plan lacks enforcement powers or adequate incentives for municipalities to cooperate with one another as they struggle to attract funding from a source that perpetuates the problem.

Now is the time for 1000 Friends of Connecticut to facilitate the coalescence of a broad spectrum of stakeholders that have a common interest in growing smarter. Even more than that, now is our opportunity. President Obama's Administration embraced the potential of Sustainable Communities in 2008, and now Connecticut has a governor who understands the long-term returns associated with investing into sustainable infrastructure and environmental stewardship.

Our Smart Growth coalition has been strategically planning the most effective route to ensuring our public officials-on the state and local levels-are informed of the best practices to put Connecticut back on a sustainable path, and also have the technical expertise to do so. We encourage you to become a fan of our Facebook page and follow our blog, or check our web site frequently to learn about our upcoming events and ongoing operations.

Our efforts are futile without your continued support, so thank you for being one of the Friends that makes up 1000 Friends of Connecticut!

Sincerest Regards,

Nichole Strack, Executive Director

1000 Friends of Connecticut

Put Connecticut Back on its Tracks

2011-08-31T03:58:00.004-04:00

A message from 1000 Friends of Connecticut's Board of Director, Robert Orr:

Flying into Bradley a couple weeks ago, I felt like I was descending into Sherwood Forest. No state is as thickly wooded as Connecticut (which does a pretty good job of hiding our sprawl). No state has better and more abundant topsoil (70'-80' deep by some accounts) standing ready to reignite local food. No state has as extensive a rail system (yes dormant, but let's rake off the leaves) standing ready to launch multi-mode transportation. No state has as much intellectual capital standing ready to jump on the new economy embracing value over equity pursuits. No state can boast such a balance of man-made and natural beauty.

All this adds up to a state with more potential for attracting enterprising (younger) and accidental (laid off, older) entrepreneurs with better cities, towns, hamlets, and countryside than any other.

All that's needed is a makeover of codes and regulations to stop thwarting normal market forces from embracing the glory still embedded in its bones. Connecticut is the Tuscany, the Val d'Orcia of North America. We just need our Nutmeg version of Iris and Antonio Origo to get the ball rolling.

This could be Connecticut, but its Val d'Orcia with Monte Amiata, view to the west from La Foce. This landscape was barren, completely denuded down to bare rock by over grazing of sheep and poor agricultural practices. However, with much hard work, care and attention in the 1920s, the Origos succeeded in transforming it into the beautiful countryside bordering charming Tuscan towns that you see above. Nothing in the picture is accidental. Connecticut needs the same purposeful approach, political will and fire in the belly to reach the potential of the great gift we've inherited.

Smart Growth Deserves A Better Boost

2011-03-08T12:03:00.004-05:00

Smart Growth Deserves A Better Boost
By Susan Merrow

The Hartford Courant

11:04 AM EST, March 7, 2011

From the moment the recent recession reared its head, the phrase "It's a shame to let a good crisis go to waste" has been a theme in many quarters — nowhere more than the smart-growth quarter, where advocates have urged that this time of curtailed spending should be used to rein in policies that have promoted sprawl.

The state budget is the perfect place to begin, for that is where the cost of sprawl is embodied in the huge infrastructure expenditures at all levels of government. In 2009, the General Assembly passed a law, Public Act 09-230, "To define smart growth and require smart growth provisions of state, local and regional plans of conservation and development be consistent." Now would be the perfect time to use those definitions to guide policy decisions, especially in how we spend the state's money.

So how does Gov. Dannel P. Malloy's budget stack up on issues of smart growth? To find out, read the full article here.

New Report says Connecticut Fixed it First!

2011-02-09T21:27:00.002-05:00

Research Confirms President Obama’s SOTU Remarks: Smart Transportation Spending Creates Jobs, Grows the Economy

Report shows investing in repair and maintenance projects and public transportation can help Connecticut revitalize America’s transportation system and rebuild the economy; Connecticut ranked first.

Connecticut, February 4, 2011 – A new report released by Smart Growth America (SGA) provides Connecticut with a roadmap to pursue President Obama’s call to repair our crumbling roads and bridges and invest in public transportation to jumpstart the economy. The report, which highlights how well states created jobs using American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) flexible transportation dollars, provides Governor Malloy, the Department of Transportation, and the legislature with a smart investment strategy to get more jobs from the same number of transportation dollars and help rebuild the economy effectively.

Connecticut ranked first, based on how well the state used its portion of the $26.6 billion in flexible ARRA transportation dollars to create jobs. The report was released two years after the passage of ARRA and a week after President Obama’s State of the Union Address and his clarion call to rebuild America and create jobs.

“Smart Growth America commends Connecticut for using its federal stimulus funding to maximize job creation,” Geoff Anderson, President/CEO of Smart Growth America said. “Connecticut should continue on this same path of smart, fiscally responsible transportation policies when it considers its 2011 transportation budget. If Connecticut continues to allocate the majority of its transportation dollars in its new budget to the repair and maintenance of roads and bridges, and expanding access to public transportation, the state can save money and put people back to work.”

Connecticut leaders understand that rebuilding our economy is the most significant challenge of our generation. As the President said in his address, “To attract new businesses to our shores, we need the fastest, most reliable ways to move people, goods and information…America is the nation that built the transcontinental railroad, brought electricity to rural communities and constructed the interstate highway system. The jobs created by these projects didn’t just come from laying down tracks or pavement. They came from businesses that opened near a town’s new train station or the new off-ramp.” This report analyzes state-reported ARRA data and finds that wise spending of transportation dollars produces immediate results in terms of jobs.

The states that made the best use of funds invested in public transportation projects and maintained and repaired existing roads and bridges. The states that ranked poorly focused on building new roads and bridges.

Connecticut spent 100 percent of its ARRA transportation funds on repairing and maintaining roads and bridges; nothing on building new ones; and 9.1 percent on public transportation and non-motorized projects such as trails, bicycle projects and pedestrian projects.

"We're proud that Connecticut “fixed it first” and created jobs critical to our state's recovery. We urge even greater emphasis on mass transit funding, which has a triple benefit: it creates jobs, gets people to their jobs, and improves the quality of life for all of us," said 1000 Friends of Connecticut Chair Susan Merrow.

"We have seen a gradual shift in Connecticut toward investments in public transit where we get the biggest bang for the buck - dollar for dollar, public transportation projects create the highest percentage of jobs. These investments are good for both the economy and the environment," added Lori Brown, Executive Director of the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

SGA determined its rankings by assessing how states invested their ARRA flexible transportation dollars, as reported by the states themselves to Congress.

Historically, repair work on roads and bridges generates 16 percent more jobs per dollar than new bridge and road construction. Repair and maintenance projects spend money faster and create jobs more quickly than building new roads because they employ more kinds of workers, spend less money on land and more on wages, and spend less time on plans and permits.

Additionally, historical investments in public transportation have generated 31 percent more jobs per dollar than new construction of roads and bridges. SGA’s analysis of ARRA spending shows that even more jobs were created with public transportation spending – these projects generated 70 percent more jobs per dollar than new highway construction.

"Our new administration in Hartford and new leadership at Department Of Transportation have a chance now to build on this good news and firmly establish the connection between wise spending on transit, fixing existing infrastructure, and growing smart," Susan Merrow concluded.

For the complete report, go to http://smartgrowthamerica.org/documents/lessons-from-the-stimulus.pdf.

Smart Growth America is the only national organization dedicated to researching, advocating for and leading coalitions to bring smart growth practices to more communities nationwide. From providing more sidewalks to ensuring more homes are built near public transit or that productive farms remain a part of our communities, smart growth helps make sure people across the nation can live in great neighborhoods. For additional information, please visit www.smartgrowthamerica.org.

Affordable Housing and 8-30G

2010-08-02T05:16:00.003-04:00

As an intern for the Connecticut Fair Housing Center, I've been asked to comment on section 8-30G of the Connecticut General Statues, commonly known as the Affordable Housing Appeals Procedure. Section 8-30G, enacted in 1989, was a boon to advocates for more fair and affordable housing in the state, but has also been highly controversial. This section of the statutes applies to cases where a developer proposes building affordable housing in any town where less than 10% of existing housing can be described as affordable (meaning a household earning less than 60-80% of the state or area's median income must spend no more than 30% of its income on total housing costs). If a town zoning or planning commission rejects a developer's application to build affordable housing in a residential area, the developer can then appeal the town's decision and the burden of proof would be on the town to prove that rejecting the development was, "necessary to protect substantial public interests in health, safety, or other matters…such public interests clearly outweigh the need for affordable housing; and…such public interests cannot be protected by reasonable changes to the affordable housing development". The gist of the law is that for the developer's proposal to be rejected, the town zoning or planning commission must make a convincing case that such a proposal would clearly be against public interests or somehow endanger the health or safety of the community. Since for the vast majority of towns in Connecticut less than 10% of housing can be classified as affordable, this revision to the statues sent waves throughout the state and has led to the creation of hundreds, if not thousands, of affordable housing units statewide- either through the appeals process or merely because of towns recognizing the difficulty of opposing such developments.

Naturally, section 8-30G has provoked a good deal of opposition from affected towns. There are people that oppose affordable housing for bigoted or ignorant reasons, and enacting a law that favors the creation of affordable housing won’t change those attitudes overnight. Some people bristle at the thought of having local control over town planning compromised by often self-interested developers, and others express frustration and disappointment that the state government, in trying to further affordable housing, would resort to measures which effectively punish towns rather than incentivize- use of the “stick” and not the “carrot”.

But there are also those that want to repeal or revise section 8-30G for perfectly legitimate and principled reasons- namely, that it serves to work against Connecticut “smart growth” efforts. Although developers must site their affordable housing units in residential zones, the exact location of those units can be anywhere, such as on the peripheries of the town or away from population centers. For a town interested in becoming more compact and sustainable, this law can be frustrating, indeed. But other towns may be more interested in restricting any influx of people, or specifically, a certain type of people. As such, instead of restricting their residential zones or revising their zoning regulations to more precisely define their plain for sustainable growth, they insert language into their town statutes which gives overwhelming priority to town residents in applying for affordable housing, effectively barring low-income out-of-towners from residing there. The undertones to this kind of behavior can be clear: urban poor are not welcome in the suburbs. But of course, other towns may very well be interested in providing affordable housing, as long as it fits the context of the town’s broader plan for sustainable growth and doesn’t lead to further sprawl. Considering how vehement opposition to the law can be, it can be difficult to know exactly what the underlying feelings are. Fighting 8-30G tooth-and-nail without suggesting feasible alternatives and demonstrating their successful implementation is not the best way to show one’s intentions.

Some advocates for affordable housing take the view that the smart growth movement in Connecticut is by its very nature elitist and discriminatory, interpreting it as motivated merely by a desire to restrict population growth to the cities, discouraging low-income and non-white Connecticut residents from ever moving outside the cities and achieving the same economic opportunity and quality- of-life that more affluent residents enjoy. I think this view is unfair. I know that the true adherents to a smart growth philosophy believe that an inclusionary and sustainable society are one and the same. And I think the conflict between smart growth and affordable housing is artificial and pointless, and a distraction from the real issues. What I’m hoping for now is greater communication between both sides and sensitivity towards the other’s concerns. The circumstances of an economically and racially segregated state must be considered alongside the need for a radically different approach to population growth and economic development, and I see no reason why both can’t be done.

-Owen Deutsch

Plans for High-Speed Rail Moving Full-Speed Ahead

2010-07-28T15:42:00.002-04:00

Tomorrow--Thursday, July 29--DOT Officials from Connecticut, Vermont, and Massachusetts will host a public informational meeting to discuss the environmental impact of the planned New Haven-Hartford-Springfield high-speed rail line. According to Governor Rell, the project "has tremendous economic development potential for Connecticut and will go a long way to ease congestion on heavily traveled Interstate 91." Transportation officials from Connecticut and the other states involved have been collaborating with the federal government and Amtrak to complete necessary preliminary work.

Earlier this week, Governor Rell also announced the state Bond Commission is expected to approve $260 million in bonding to improve the corridor. This funding may be matched by $220 million in federal funding should Connecticut's application be approved. Officials have high hopes the NHHS High-Speed Rail Line will attract enthusiasm on the federal level given the strong regional collaboration taking place in New England.

Come to One Union Place in downtown Hartford at 6:00 P.M. tomorrow evening to learn more and to speak for the public.

Woman Hits Liability Lotto-Will CT Nature Lovers Lose 3000 Acres of Paradise? Public Hearing TONIGHT!

2010-07-20T15:15:00.002-04:00

In mid-May, a Connecticut jury awarded $2.9 million to Maribeth Blonski, 43, for injuries sustained after she crashed her mountain bike into a large, obvious, yellow gate at the West Hartford Reservoir in 2002. In response, the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC) is considering closing its gates to all recreational activities to avoid potential future lawsuits and higher insurance premiums.

The MDC is a non-profit municipal corporation created in 1929. It owns several recreation areas, including the West Hartford Reservoir, which the MDC itself calls a “nature lovers paradise.”

Blonski, from Wethersfield and Rocky Hill, formerly hosted a public access television program about mountain biking. She publicly commented that at the time of the accident her head was down and she did not see the gate until she was only three feet away. Court documents indicate she was riding between 20 and 30 mph. An expert witness noted skid marks 20 feet from the gate, and that she was riding in the wrong direction.

The MDC argued the accident was a result of Blonski’s own negligence and that as a political subdivision of the state, it is immune from such lawsuits.

Nevertheless, after a complex legal analysis involving Connecticut’s Recreational Liability Statute and definitions of “municipal corporations,” “government functions,” “corporate profits,” and “proprietary functions,” the judge determined that the MDC was notimmune from liability. The jury then decided the rider was 30% at fault and that the MDC was 70% at fault for not having signs and warnings to make riders aware of the gate that was present and closed for most of 30 years.

Since the jury announced its decision, the MDC has entered a motion to set aside the verdict. Opposition to closing the West Hartford reservoir has become vocal. West Hartford Mayor Scott Slifka and town councilor Joseph Verrengia will introduce a resolution calling for the MDC not to close its reservoirs, and State Rep. David Baram said he will propose legislation that will stop future lawsuits against the Metropolitan District Commission.

Additionally, a public meeting on this topic will be held Tuesday, July 20^th at 5:30 P.M. in the Auditorium of the Town Hall in West Hartford. If you appreciate the West Hartford Reservoir, it’s important that show up and say so.

Livable Communities Planning in Hartford Sets Example for the State of Connecticut by Erin Bourgault

2010-07-02T11:55:00.004-04:00

U.S. Congressman John B. Larson held an open forum on Monday, June 28^th on Livable Communities and the Hartford “One City, One Plan” and iQuilt Proposals, with special guest Congressman Earl Blumenauer. Hartford’s plans should set an example for the rest of the state of Connecticut towards urban planning, improving transportation and housing options, and protecting the environment. The proposals include goals to revitalize downtown Hartford and enhance its role as a cultural center, as well as connect people to the city by improving mobility and coordinating multimodal transport. The major focus of iQuilt, the “Capitol District Vision Plan and Hartford’s Pathways of Innovation,” is to create a Greenwalk between Bushnell Park and the riverfront, as well as a “Connecticut Square” outdoor festival space to transform Hartford into a more friendly and welcoming environment.

Although Hartford is a compact district, many people drive throughout the city. By improving streets so they are enjoyable, walkable and bike-able, citizens can become less dependent on cars. The new proposal includes a connection to Union Station in order to enhance the use of public transportation in Hartford. The American Public Transportation Association estimates that families with access to good public transportation can save an average of $9,000 per year in transportation costs compared to households with no transit access. Congressman Earl Blumenauer used the phrase “bike partisanship” and stated that cycling is a tool to bring people together. Improving transportation options across the state of Connecticut would do more than decrease traffic congestion; it would improve quality of life.

The proposals and commitments in Hartford connect to the proposed Livable Communities Act, written by U.S. Senator Dodd of Connecticut. According to Senator Dodd, “This legislation provides funding for regions to plan future growth in a coordinated way that reduces congestion, generates good-paying jobs, creates and preserves affordable housing, meets our environmental and energy goals, protects rural areas and green space, revitalizes our Main Streets and urban centers, and makes our communities better places to live, work, and raise families.”

In March 2010, Senator Dodd and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Deputy Secretary Ron Sims went to New Haven and Hartford to promote the integration of housing, transit, and smart land use to create more livable communities. Congressman Larson said, “As we work to rebuild our economy and put our neighbors back to work, we must also rebuild our communities, making them greener more sustainable and more livable for generations to come.” Hartford has begun to take on this goal, and the rest of the state of Connecticut should follow.

For more information, check out www.hartfordiquilt.org.

Only the Sustainable Survive

2010-06-11T14:27:00.002-04:00

As BP’s tragic oil spill ignites worldwide outrage, other corporations seek to secure an environmentally-friendly reputation among the consuming public. CBIA’s 2010 Sustainability Conference, held on Wednesday June 9, 2010, served as a welcome reminder that even in a down economy, sustainable business activity is not as far-fetched as some corporations believe. Michael Ellis, Senior Associate of GreenOrder, presented current sustainability trends among businesses and predictions for the future using results from CBIA’s 2010 Survey on Sustainability and Connecticut Business. Two panel discussions followed—highlighting the value companies place on “taking their sustainability initiatives to the next level.” Recycling paper or eliminating waste within facilities is not enough to compete in our transforming “green marketplace.”

Results from CBIA’s 2010 survey, coupled with speakers representing AT&T, IBM Corporation, and Microsoft, the Connecticut Clean Energy Fund, TelecommuteConnecticut/CTRideshare, and Oakleaf Waste Management demonstrate a strengthened commitment to sustainability principles. The key findings from CBIA’s Sustainability survey report the majority of Connecticut companies have adopted “green” business strategies—mostly in the area of energy efficiency. CBIA first began following green business trends in 2007 when only 47% of Connecticut companies reported going green. The number climbed to 59% in 2008, and jumped to 73% in 2009. This figure increased by only 1% over the last year—possibly implying that corporate sustainability has “reached a saturation point, at least for now.”

As added support to these findings, the representatives of AT&T, IBM, and Microsoft reported their respective companies have shifted away from thinking only in the short term and adopted a long-term analysis of energy costs. Furthermore, each of the three have adopted Smart Grid policies and were happy to report substantial returns on their investments in energy-conserving initiatives.

The environmental community applauds these businesses for their proactive attitudes and sense of corporate responsibility—yet work is still needed. Upfront costs and lack of knowledge are the two primary obstacles companies face in their efforts to “go green.” Many business leaders remain unconvinced that consumers are truly willing to put environmental concerns ahead of their wallets. In addition to these concerns, corporate leaders still have an incentive to think only in the short-term in regards to energy costs. Should the government decide to put a price on carbon, the externality posed by carbon dioxide will be internalized within the company’s operations costs and they will no longer be inclined to ignore the serious energy issue our country faces. Environmentalists must continue their efforts to inform the pubic on the importance of this issue. More importantly, we must persuade our policy-makers to more vigilantly pursue a clear, all-encompassing energy policy that forces corporations to view sustainability not as an unaffordable luxury, but as a sound, if not essential, business practice for a 21st century, global economy.

Nichole Strack

Trinity College, Hartford, CT.

Bridgeport one of ten Environmental Justice Showcase Community EPA says

2009-11-17T16:49:00.002-05:00

EPA Announces Environmental Justice Showcase Communities

CONTACT:
Deb Berlin
berlin.deb@epa.gov
202-564-4914
202-564-4355

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 17, 2009

EPA Announces Environmental Justice Showcase Communities

WASHINGTON – U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa P. Jackson announced a national initiative to address environmental justice challenges in 10 communities. EPA has committed $1 million to this effort over the next two years.

“These 10 communities will serve as models for the EPA’s committed environmental justice efforts, and help highlight the disproportionate environmental burdens placed on low-income and minority communities all across the nation,” said EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson. “By expanding the conversation on environmentalism, we can give a voice to vulnerable groups that haven’t always had a voice on these issues. Our 10 Showcase Communities will provide lessons for how we make every community a better place for people to live, for business to invest and bring jobs, and for opportunities to grow.”

The selected Environmental Justice Showcase Communities will use collaborative, community-based approaches to improve public health and the environment. EPA will provide $100,000 per project to help address concerns in communities disproportionately exposed to environmental risks. These demonstration projects will test and share information on different approaches to increase EPA’s ability to achieve environmental results in communities.

The following locations will serve as Environmental Justice Showcase Communities:

Bridgeport, Connecticut: EPA will build on work that has already taken place to develop community capacity and engagement, identify a broad network of partnerships, and connect with the goals of the city government. Using this past work as a foundation, EPA plans to work collaboratively with a wide-range of stakeholders to develop projects focused on improving indoor air quality, increasing community capacity for green jobs, increasing recycling rates, and reducing asthma and toxics exposure.

Staten Island, New York: EPA will work with the North Shore of Staten Island, a former industrial community that now contains many abandoned, contaminated, and regulated properties along the waterfront. This neighborhood has seen an increase in the number of kids with elevated lead levels in their blood. EPA, in consultation with key community members and state and local health agencies will develop a community-based health strategy for the area.

Washington, D.C.: EPA is building on its environmental justice work with a variety of partners, such as: the District Department of Environment; the District Department of Health; and, local recipients of Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving and Environmental Justice Small Grant awards.

Jacksonville, Florida: EPA will focus on improving environmental and public health outcomes in an area that consists of a predominantly low income and minority population. This area has a number of Superfund sites, brownfields, vacant and abandoned lots or other properties where contamination is suspected, and impacted waterways. EPA will work with its partners, including environmental justice community representatives, to address sites of concern and turn them into an opportunity for residents to collaborate with developers and revitalize their neighborhoods.

Milwaukee, Wisconsin: EPA will work to further the redevelopment of the 30th Street Industrial Corridor. The corridor, a former rail line in the north-central part of the city, is home to low income communities of color. This project seeks to improve the human, environmental and economic health of these neighborhoods by redeveloping brownfields along the corridor, implementing environmentally preferable stormwater management practices, and developing urban agriculture.

Port Arthur, Texas: EPA proposes a comprehensive, cross-media pilot project in Port Arthur, Texas, a racially and ethnically diverse population along the Gulf Coastof southeast Texas. This community was severely impacted as a result of hurricanes Katrina, Rita and Ike. Through the EJ Showcase Project, EPA will work with partners to strategically target additional work and supplement ongoing efforts.

Kansas City, Missouri and Kansas City, Kansas: EPA has identified 11 neighborhoods in the metropolitan area that have many risk factors including poor housing conditions and increased exposure to environmental hazards. EPA will conduct an assessment to identify specific sources of pollution and will work with neighborhood leaders to prioritize community concerns. Strategies to address these concerns will be developed through these partnerships.

Salt Lake City, Utah: EPA has chosen six neighborhoods in central and west Salt Lake City as the focus of a Children’s Environmental Health and Environmental Justice initiative. The areas include Glendale, Jordan Meadows, Poplar Grove, Rose Park, State Fairpark and Westpointe. EPA selected the areas based on the presence of several environmental risk factors and the community’s support and past participation in addressing environmental issues. The multi-agency initiative will seek to identify and reduce children’s exposure to contaminants from multiple pathways. EPA will work closely with the community and other federal, state and local agencies to identify issues of concern and develop and apply tools to address those issues. The state of Utah has developed a tracking system that will provide baseline health and environmental data and help the partnership achieve results.

Los Angeles Area Environmental Enforcement Collaborative, California: The densely populated communities closest to the I-710 freeway in Los Angeles Countyare severely impacted by pollution from goods movement and industrial activity. In a multi-year effort, a unique collaboration of federal, state and local governments and community organizations will work together to improve the environmental and public health conditions for residents along this corridor. Partners will identify pollution sources of concern to the community, review agency data sources and develop action plans. One goal is to improve compliance with environmental laws by targeting inspections and enforcement at the state, federal, and local levels to address community concerns.

Yakima, Washington: EPA will address multiple environmental home health stressors in the Latino and tribal communities in the Yakima Valley. A coordinated effort between state, local, and non-profit partners will be used to address the range of exposures found in the community, with a primary focus on reducing exposure through contaminated private well drinking water. This will be accomplished by assessing homes with contaminated wells, providing “treatment at the tap” mitigation, and reducing pollution sources through available regulatory tools and best management practices.

Since 1994, EPA has provided more than $32 million in general funding to more than 1,100 community-based organizations.

More information on environmental justice and the Environmental Justice Showcase Communities:http://www.epa.gov/compliance/environmentaljustice/grants/ej-showcase.html

Spotlight on the jobs crisis conference

2009-11-16T12:11:00.002-05:00

In-person attendance to tomorrow's forum, Spotlight on the Jobs Crisis, is filled to capacity. However, the forum will be streamed via the web beginning at 9:00 am.

Go to

Spotlight on the Jobs Crisis

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

9:00 am to 11:00 am (UPDATED TIME)

That the economy is growing again provides hope, but it will not lead to job growth or a lowering of unemployment for many months to come. Therefore, as recovery takes hold, it is ever important that economic policies focus on generating a robust, shared prosperity and millions more jobs as soon as possible. More than fifteen million Americans are out of work, and a third of them have been unemployed for six months or more. Millions more are underemployed.

Moreover, these data obscure what has been a particularly devastating unemployment situation for Hispanic and black workers, whose unemployment rates are at almost 13% and over 15% respectively. EPI estimates that a third of the workforce will be unemployed or underemployed at some point in 2010, with the impact exceeding 40% in minority communities. And, as whole industries shutter with the decline of the manufacturing sector, communities built around good union jobs are withering away.

Join the Economic Policy Institute, in partnership with the AFL-CIO, Center for Community Change, Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, NAACP and National Council of La Raza, as we shine a spotlight on the jobs crisis and its devastating impacts on workers and their communities. The Recovery Act has made a critically important contribution to alleviating the worse downturn in several generations, but more needs to be done as soon as possible to generate more jobs. With his recent call for a December summit on jobs, it is clear President Obama shares our sense of urgency.

For more information, email events@epi.org.

Connecticut Under-Invests in Pedestrian Safety

2009-11-09T11:00:00.002-05:00

1,000 Friends of Connecticut
Connecticut Bicycle Coalition
Connecticut Association for Community Transportation
Connecticut Livable Streets Campaign
Elm City Cycling
Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority
Regional Plan Association
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
The Yale Medical Campus Traffic Safety Group

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 9, 2009

Media Contact: Ya-Ting Liu
Tri-State Transportation Campaign
212.268.7474 / yating@tstc.org

National Report Shows Connecticut Under-Invests in Pedestrian Safety despite Available Federal Funding; Advocates Urge ConnDOT to Make Pedestrian Safety a Priority

A new national report by Transportation for America and Surface Transportation Policy Partnership finds that although 12.6% of total traffic fatalities in Connecticut were pedestrians in 2008, the state spends less than two percent of available federal transportation dollars to make roads safer for walkers, joggers and bicyclists.

The timely report comes in the wake of five pedestrian fatalities and two near-fatalities in the last two weeks in Manchester, Farmington, West Hartford, Hartford and New Haven. These are tragic reminders that roads designed for speeding cars, without provisions for the safety of people on foot or bicycle are killing both pedestrians and motorists.

Advocates said pedestrian traffic deaths are preventable if the state makes minor changes to transportation policies and funding practices.

“While Connecticut has made strides to become more pedestrian and bike friendly over the past year, residents still face significant danger every time they set foot on Connecticut’s roads,” said Ryan Lynch, senior planner and Connecticut coordinator for the Tri-State Transportation Campaign, a non-profit policy watchdog organization. “Recent and tragic pedestrian fatalities only reinforce the need for Connecticut Department of Transportation to target resources to make roads safer for all users, including drivers, walkers and cyclists.”

The advocates called on Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) to:
• Prioritize pedestrian safety.
• Create and fund Safe Routes to School, Safe Routes to Transit and Safe Routes for Seniors programs.
• Designate at least 10% of federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) money and 10% of federal Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) funding for programs that prevent traffic injuries and fatalities.
• Implement and expand the Complete Streets legislation passed in 2009.

“In diverse and thriving cities like New Haven, the majority of residents do not drive to work every day. A growing number of Connecticut residents are making the decision to get around their cities and towns on foot, by bicycle or by transit simply because it is so much more convenient than driving. It has been clear for many years that state and federal governments must dramatically recalibrate their transportation investments so that our streets, crosswalks and sidewalks can better serve residents of all ages and abilities,” said Mark Abraham, a Steering Committee member of the Connecticut Livable Streets Campaign.

“As health professionals and students, we believe any sensible effort to stem the rising tide of the obesity, heart disease and diabetes epidemics must consider how to encourage physical activity on the streets of our cities and towns. We applaud the efforts of state and local officials in recognizing the importance of pedestrian safety, but as the Transportation for America report demonstrates, more needs to be done and done urgently,” said Natalie Spicyn and Jonathan Romanyshyn of the Yale Medical Campus Traffic Safety Group.

“One factor that discourages more individuals from using transit is that in many locations walking to and from a bus stop is unsafe, unpleasant or impossible,” said Ron Kilcoyne, General Manager/CEO of Greater Bridgeport Transit Authority.

"Although cycling and walking are generally safe and pleasant ways to travel around our cities, urban infrastructure, traffic volumes, and high rates of aggressive and inattentive driving present significant challenges, both actual and perceived, to many street users including children, the elderly, the disabled, and novice or inexperienced cyclists and pedestrians," said Bill Kurtz of Elm City Cycling.

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

2009-11-09T10:38:00.000-05:00

JOB ANNOUNCEMENT

1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut, a Hartford-based non-profit organization dedicated to promoting principles of responsible, sustainable economic growth compatible with a healthy environment, seeks a Chief Executive Officer to manage its day-to-day operations. Working with a Board of Trustees, the CEO will be responsible for program development and administration, communications, personnel, budget, and finance.

The purpose of 1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut is to mobilize a broad-based membership representing diverse interests affected by growth and development in Connecticut, including transportation, housing, land use planning and open space, and tax policy. We support, advocate and promote community vitality and encourage growth throughout Connecticut, and we work to expand and strengthen these in Connecticut Communities.

Duties include working with the Board to:
*Facilitate strategic planning for the organization
* Coordinate and manage the organization’s advocacy and education goals
*Coordinate and manage fundraising activities
* Represent the organization in the public eye
*Grow the organization’s public profile
*Oversee budgeting and financial management

Salary commensurate with experience.

Please send cover letter, resume, writing sample, references, and salary requirements to info@1000Friends-ct.org by November 24 (subject line Resume).

Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban Zoning Codes

2009-11-05T09:46:00.002-05:00

Can't wait to see how these fixes compare with the model smart growth zoning code being prepared by students at the UCONN Law School this semester!

EPA Announcement below:

Across the country, local governments are searching for ways to create vibrant communities that attract jobs, foster economic development, and are attractive places for people to live, work, and play. But many are discovering that their own land development codes and ordinances often get in the way of achieving these goals, and they may not have the resources or expertise to make the specific regulatory changes that will create more sustainable communities.

To respond to this need, EPA's Smart Growth Program convened a panel of national smart growth code experts to identify the topics in local zoning codes that are essential to creating the building blocks of smart growth. This document, Essential Smart Growth Fixes for Urban and Suburban Zoning Codes, presents the panel's initial work. It is an evolving document, one that will be regularly revised, added to, and updated, and is intended to spark a larger conversation about the tools and information local governments need to revise their land development regulations.

The document explores 11 "Essential Fixes"; addressing the most common barriers local governments face in implementing smart growth. Topics include mixing land uses, fixing parking requirements, modernizing street standards, managing stormwater, and adopting smart annexation policies, among others. Each Essential Fix describes the problem or barrier and the actions that the community could take to overcome that barrier. These actions are organized as modest adjustments, major modifications, or wholesale changes to give communities options based on their political will, financial resources, and organizational capacity. Communities can apply parts of fixes or multiple fixes or entirely overhaul their codes.

This tool does not include model language, nor is it intended to provide model codes or ordinances (click here to find some specific examples of codes that support smart growth development). The information here, however, can help communities evaluate their existing codes and ordinances and apply the information to create more environmentally, economically, and socially sustainable communities. This document focuses primarily on barriers in suburban and urban communities. Similar issues regarding rural development will be addressed in a subsequent document that is planned for release in January 2010.

We intend to continually revise, update, and expand the information provided here. Please send comments, feedback, or suggestions to the EPA project manager, Kevin Nelson, AICP, at nelson.kevin@epa.gov or 202-566-2835.

************

Field Hearing & Community

2009-11-04T08:18:00.003-05:00

Don't you love the term "development community"? I like it almost as much as "environmental community" or "business community" or "nonprofit community".

But we who live in and among all those "communities" know they aren't homogenous groups with single agendas.

We need to be sure that when the "development community" speaks it includes the voices of Connecticut's green builders, sustainable development professionals, affordable housing developers, and includes not-for-profit as well as for-profit developers.

Below is an announcement of a field hearing on the state plan for the "development community".

_________________________________________________________________
To The Smart Growth Working Group:

Below is a reminder about a field meeting scheduled for Thursday, November 5th at 3 pm in Wallingford regarding the State Plan of Conservation and Development.

As I mentioned at our last meeting, the Continuing Committee of the State Plan of C&D is following through on one of our bills - P.A. 09-230 - by holding a series of public meetings about how the State Plan is developed and how we can best incorporate Smart Growth principles into the next iteration of the Plan. This meeting was specifically requested by those in the development community as well as from towns to hear about the practical impacts of the State Plan at the ground level. This is the second of three planned meetings between now and the holidays, after which time the Continuing Committee will begin developing a report to the General Assembly about its findings.

A link to directions is included below. Hope you can attend, and feel free to pass this information on to others who may be interested.

Rep. Brendan Sharkey
88th District - Hamden

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

To All Members of the Continuing Committee on State Planning and Development:

There will be a meeting on 11/5/09 at 3PM at The Willows in Wallingford. This meeting serves as part of the informational hearings we are holding on recommendations to update the State Plan of Conservation and Development. We hope to educate ourselves on how the State Plan affects professionals on the frontline, specifically our engineers and town planners. We ask that all members attend so that we may engage in discussion and get some practical input on the state plan at the local level. For directions to The Willows (located at 751 N Farms Road Wallingford CT) please reference the following link.

Local Elections in 162/169 Towns

2009-11-02T17:24:00.001-05:00

Local government is where the rubber hits the road. Find out where candidates in your town stand on compact/mixed use zoning, traffic calming, bike lanes, sidewalks, brownfield clean up, affordable housing, historic preservation, farmland protection and securing priority open space.

Know who you're voting for. Then, VOTE!

ONE THOUSAND FRIENDS OF CONNECTICUT ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP

2009-10-30T09:51:00.003-04:00

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: FOR MORE INFORMATION:
October 30, 2009 Susan Merrow. 860-537-5302

ONE THOUSAND FRIENDS OF CONNECTICUT ANNOUNCES CHANGES IN LEADERSHIP

The Board of Trustees of 1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut announced today that its President and CEO, Heidi Green, will be taking her leave of that position in late November. Heidi Green has held that position since September of 2005, having come on Board as 1000 Friends’ first full-time staff person. “We have learned and grown so much under Heidi’s guidance these last few years. We will be sad to say goodbye, and we will be working even harder to capitalize on her hard work,” said Susan Merrow, Board Chairperson. “Heidi has put us on the map in the smart growth public policy arena. Her tireless promotion of the principles of rational, sustainable growth, sensible land-use planning, better transportation and tax policies have left their mark on our state, its laws, and policies. We wish her all the best, and we will welcome her back as one of our most valued ‘FRIENDS’,” Merrow continued. The Board of 1000 Friends has begun the process of seeking a new CEO. Heidi Green will be joining the leadership giving staff of Trinity College. 10000 FRIENDS is a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing the principle of smart growth in Connecticut through an educated citizenry and the promotion of sound public policy.

In the last year alone,
• the organization saw legislative success. We helped make it easier to clean up environmentally-contaminated sites, reuse historic mill buildings, finance green developments, and make our streets more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly;
• our Smart Growth Project Evaluation Team endorsed and publicized three smart growth real estate developments: Storrs Center, in Mansfield; 360 State Street in New Haven; and MetroGreen Apartments in Stamford; and
• we gave our first ever award -- the Smartie -- to Smart Growth Champ Tom Condon, indefatigable Hartford Courant columnist and Place Section editor, at our Fourth Annual Meeting.

Smart Growth America President Cheers Senate Climate Action

2009-10-27T12:54:00.002-04:00

SGA Partners,

I wanted to be the first to give you the great news. Thanks to your
efforts to educate your Senators on the many benefits that smart
growth and green transportation strategies have for the environment,
the economy, and quality of life we were able to get an increase in
funding in the Senate climate bill for these strategies.

The latest version of the Senate's Clean Energy Jobs and American
Power Act includes about 2.4% for smart growth and transportation, up
from a max of 1% in the House climate legislation. While this might
look small, this achievement should not be underestimated. We were up
against many other interests for additional funding from the bill,
including industry groups with deep pockets and better access. Our
efforts couldn't have succeeded without the help of our national
partners to go to Capitol Hill and convince Senators of the benefits
of these strategies and especially the help of all of you in the field
telling your Senators that their constituents want these investments.

I think we should all take a moment to celebrate this victory. But,
we need to realize that this isn't the end. We will continue to work
to increase the revenue going to smart growth and green transportation
to 5%, while at the same time protecting the policy language and
funding we currently do have. Kate and Stephanie will continue to keep
you updated as the climate bill moves forward so please keep an eye
out for their messages.

Thanks again,

Geoff

Geoffrey Anderson
President and CEO
Smart Growth America
1707 L St. NW
Suite 1050
Washington, DC 20036

October Smart Growth ENews

2009-10-15T08:35:00.000-04:00

Hot off the presses, 1000 Friends of Connecticut's October ENews.

As always, to subscribe or unsubscribe to the newsletter.

DODD MEETS WITH NEW METROPOLITAN TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY CHAIRMAN

2009-10-15T08:33:00.000-04:00

Washington, D.C. – Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) met with Jay Walder, the new Chairman of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority, today to discuss how to improve Metro-North service in Connecticut. As Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs, Dodd oversees transit issues and will be responsible for transit as Congress takes up a major rewrite of transportation law in the coming months.

“Chairman Walder and I had a good discussion about the challenges facing Metro-North and how we can improve it to make sure that Connecticut residents can count on Metro-North for fast, safe, reliable travel every day,” said Dodd. “Thanks to stimulus funding, we’ve already begun work to upgrade the Danbury branch line, extending safer and more reliable rail service to communities all the way from Norwalk to Danbury. As I told Chairman Walder, I’m committed to improving the Metro North experience for passengers and expanding it to encourage more Connecticut residents to take advantage of what it has to offer.”

Dodd is working to expand transit opportunities in Connecticut and across the country.

In April, Dodd held a field hearing in New Haven to discuss the transit challenges facing Connecticut. Metro North President Howard Permut testified, along with Connecticut Department of Transportation Commissioner Joe Marie and several other transit experts. Dodd is also working to develop the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line, bringing Connecticut officials to Washington to meet with leaders of the Federal Transit Administration and Federal Railroad Administration, and inviting federal officials to Connecticut.

Earlier this year, Dodd passed a measure to allow transit agencies to use up to 10 percent of the funding they receive under the Recovery Act to cover operating expenses to help transit agencies prevent fare increases, avoid lay-offs, furloughs and significant cuts in service.

Dodd has also introduced the Livable Communities Act, a bill to help local communities plan and implement projects that improve transportation, housing, and economic development.

The MTA the largest public transportation agency in the country, carrying 2.8 billion passengers a year on New York City Transit, Long Island Rail Road, Metro-North, Long Island Bus and MTA Bus. Metro-North’s New Haven Line, which Metro-North operates for the Connecticut DOT, is the largest commuter rail line in the nation and in 2008 carried 38 million of Metro-North's 84 million passengers.

Benefits on reusing dirty sites and GHG reductions

2009-10-14T11:58:00.002-04:00

The EPA recently released a report that quantifies the climate-changing greenhouse gas imacts of sprawling land use development and the benefits of reusing brownfield sites. It estimates GHG emissions related to greenfield development -- from the “decay and release of organic carbon to the atmosphere… bio‐carbon can be released from soil, plants, and dead organic matter, such as leaf litter.” The study concludes that these bio-carbon releases may comprise 4 percent of total GHG emissions.

The report also calls particular attention to the potential to reduce GHG emissions by converting “EPA-tracked contaminated land for utility-scale solar and wind,” and “increasing re-cycling of construction debris.”

Coalition for an Accountable Recovery to advise media on Recovery.gov data

2009-10-10T11:45:00.002-04:00

October 9, 2009

For Immediate Release

Contact: Michelle Lee 202-232-1616 x 211

Or Brian Gumm at 202-683-4812

Coalition for an Accountable Recovery to Advise

Media on Recovery.gov Data Ahead of 10/15 Release

Washington, DC – The Coalition for an Accountable Recovery (CAR) will convene a telephone briefing on Tuesday, October 13th for journalists covering the first quarterly round of spending data from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), which is due out on Thursday October 15th.

The purpose of the briefing will be to: review those forms of ARRA spending that will be disclosed (and those that will not); to review what is known about what the data will show; and to answer any questions reporters have about this and future data releases. (Much more data will be issued October 30th.)

The briefing will be led by Gary Bass, executive director of OMB Watch, and Greg LeRoy, executive director of Good Jobs First. The two organizations co-chair CAR.

Date: Tuesday, October 13th, 2009
Time: 1:00 pm Eastern
Call-in: 219-509-8020
Code 287971

The Coalition for an Accountable Recovery (CAR) was formed in February 2009 by about 30 groups to promote transparency and accountability in the $787 billion Recovery Act. In numerous communications, meetings and public events since, it has helped diverse organizations learn more about the act and participate in the debate over its implementation.

OMB Watch is a nonprofit group founded in 1983 to promote government transparency and accountability, equitable regulatory and budgetary processes and policies, and active citizen participation in our democracy. Good Jobs First is a nonprofit founded in 1998 to promote corporate and government accountability in economic development and smart growth for working families.

So, you want to help your community develop sustainably, but you don’t know how?

2009-10-10T10:28:00.002-04:00

A new report takes a comprehensive look at the state of tools municipalities can use to model and evaluate relative climate change benefits earned by developing differently. The tools it explores can be employed at the project, neighborhood and metropolitan scale. It summarizes the relationship between urban form and climate change and features four case studies on how tools are being used today.

We won’t be able to reduce greenhouse gas emissions with technology alone, we will need to combine technological change with changes in our behaviors, transportation priorities, building design and placement, economic development strategies, and fair housing policy. In Connecticut, most planning is done locally, these tools offer ways for volunteers and town staff to develop the analysis they need to plan successful and sustainable communities.

The tools discussed are:
• Athena Impact Estimator for Buildings;
• Community Energy and Emissions Inventory;
• Community Viz;
• Development Pattern Approach;
• Energy Demand Characterization;
• Envision Tomorrow;
• INDEX and Cool Spots;
• I-PLACE3S ;
• MetroQuest;
• Neighborhood Explorations the View of Density;
• Tool for Evaluating Neighbourhood Sustainability; and
• UPlan.

The report is Urban Planning Tools for Climate Change. Its authors are: Patrick M. Condon, Duncan Cavens, and Nicole Miller. It was published by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and is available for purchase in hard copy or free download at www.lincolninst.edu.

Obama orders guidelines for locating federal buildings in or near central business districts and transit

2009-10-06T14:35:00.002-04:00

Lee Epstein of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation reported, "President Obama issued an Executive Order Oct. 5 instructing federal agencies to set greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets for 2020 within 90 days.

The order also requires a 30 percent reduction in vehicle fleet petroleum use by 2020, a 26 percent improvement in water efficiency at federal agencies, a 50 percent recycling and waste diversion rate by 2015, and a requirement for federal buildings to achieve net-zero energy use by 2030.

Agencies also will be required to use federal contracts to promote environmentally responsible products and technologies and follow forthcoming guidelines for locating federal buildings in or near central business districts and close to transit.

'As the largest consumer of energy in the U.S. economy, the federal government can and should lead by example when it comes to creating innovative ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase energy efficiency, conserve water, reduce waste, and use environmentally-responsible products and technologies,' Obama said in a statement.
Obama said the order 'builds on the momentum' of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (Pub. L. No. 111-5) 'to help create a clean energy economy and demonstrates the federal government's commitment, over and above what is already being done, to reducing emissions and saving money.'

According to the White House, the federal government 'occupies nearly 500,000 buildings, operates more than 600,000 vehicles, employs more than 1.8 million civilians, and purchases more than $500 billion per year in goods and services.'

Obama's order builds on Executive Order 13423, signed by former President Bush in 2007, which set goals for federal agencies in energy and resource conservation and pollution reduction, the White House said (16 DEN A-1, 1/25/07).

Taxpayer benefits include substantial energy savings and reduced costs due to improved efficiency, the White House said.

Under the order, each agency will develop and implement an integrated strategic sustainability performance plan for meeting the goals of the order. Implementation will be managed through the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive, working in close partnership with the Office of Management and Budget, the Council on Environmental Quality, and the agencies."

Governor Rell, give you any ideas?

Transportation and Smart Growth Provisions in the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act

2009-10-01T07:27:00.002-04:00

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reductions Through Transportation Efficiency (Sec. 112) and Transportation Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction Program Grants (Sec. 113)

Policy

Section 112 of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act integrates accountability for reducing greenhouse gasses (GHG) into transportation planning and infrastructure decisions. Below is a brief summary of the provisions of Sec. 112.

National Transportation GHG Reduction Goal

Directs the EPA Administrator to consult with the DOT Secretary to establish a national goal for transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions reductions commensurate with the goal in the overall bill, recognizing the need for complementary actions beyond the cap to reduce emissions in the transportation sector. EPA and DOT assess progress toward reducing transportation-related GHGs every 6 years.

Models and Methodologies

EPA in consultation with DOT develops models, methodologies and best practices for states and regions to use when developing transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets and plans.

DOT in consultation with EPA improves transportation planning models, tools and can update planning requirements to meet the goals of this section.

Transportation Planning Process to Include Oil & Sustainability Considerations

Amends the state and MPO transportation planning process to add additional factors to consider, as well as additional agencies to coordinate with when doing developing their long range transportation plans:

Adds to the policy section that is in the national interest for transportation planning decisions to: reduce (replacing minimize) fuel consumption, as well as minimizing reliance on oil, impacts on the environment, and transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

Adds to planning factors that should be considered in the transportation planning process to include: promote sustainability and livability, reduce surface transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on oil, adapt to the effects of climate change, improve public health. These factors get added to an existing factor that deals with the environment, energy, and quality of life. Also includes need to promote consistency between transportation improvements and housing and land use patterns.

MPO long-range transportation plans must be developed in cooperation with state and local agencies responsible for transportation, public transportation, air quality, and housing, and in consultation with public health agencies among other agencies.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets and Strategies in State and MPO Planning

Amends the state and metropolitan planning process to include transportation-related greenhouse gas reduction targets and strategies and increase coordination between agencies:

Requires States and large MPOs (above 200,000) to develop surface transportation related greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and strategies within two years of final regulations from EPA. Smaller MPOs can opt-in to the process.

Sets minimum requirements for these targets and strategies that they should:
* Demonstrate progress in stabilizing and reducing emissions;
* Inventory surface transportation related GHG emissions;
* Apply to modes of surface transportation addressed within the existing planning process
* Use the models and methodologies developed by EPA and DOT;
* Be integrated into state and MPO transportation plans and TIPS;
* Use scenario analysis to evaluate the emission reduction effects of a variety of strategies including: public transportation, walking and biking infrastructure, zoning and land use changes, travel demand management (including pricing, telecommuting, carpooling), better system management, intercity passenger rail, bus and freight, hybrid vehicle facilities, and other efforts that are shown to reduce GHGs from transportation.
* Requires each MPO and state to publish these plans and targets on their website and submit to the DOT Secretary as a part of their regular long range transportation plans.

DOT and EPA will review and approve the greenhouse gas emission reduction plans based on whether the plan is likely to achieve the greenhouse gas emission target and complies with the minimum requirements.

There is no penalty for non-compliance, except that the state or MPO is not eligible for the funding described below.

Funding

Section 113 of the Clean Energy Jobs and American Power Act creates a planning grant for all MPOs and a competitive grant program to provide funding for states and MPOs to implement transportation-related greenhouse gas reduction plans. This program is funded with 10% of revenue dedicated to the “State and Local Investment in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” fund in Section 202. Separately, public transportation agencies receive 45% of the funding from the “State Climate Change Response and Transportation Fund” for existing transit formula programs. (The overall allowances dedicated to these programs, which determines their funding level, were not included in the legislation and are expected to be released in 1-3 weeks.)

Planning & Competitive Grant Program (in the State and Local Investment in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy” fund, Section 202)
Maximum of 5% of funds in this section for MPOs to develop the greenhouse gas reduction plans, distributed by formula based on population.
DOT in consultation with EPA would develop a criteria for distributing the remaining funds as grants to states and MPOs for projects and programs within transportation greenhouse gas reduction plans. The federal share is 80%. The formula takes into account:
* Quantity of GHG reductions estimated from plan
* Cost-effectiveness of GHG reductions over the life of the plan
* Progress toward achieving reductions
* Reductions previously achieved
* Plans that address mobility needs of people without cars, with low incomes, minorities, the elderly, disabled, etc
* Other factors such as innovative approaches, economic development, and other benefits.

States and MPOs can sub-grant funds to local governments, air quality agencies, zoning commissions, transit agencies and other non-eligible public entities.

Transit Funding (in the State Climate Change Response and Transportation Fund)
Allocates 45% of this fund to public transportation agencies, which can be used for capital needs and preventative maintenance (as well as potentially operating assistance in areas under 200,000), which is distributed as follows:
* 80% to urbanized areas through section 5307 of title 49
* 10% to areas other than urbanized ones through section 5311 of title 49
* 10% to states via the growing and high density states formula through section 5340 of title 49

Thank you, Smart Growth America.

Find out more about bus rapid transit and follow Cleveland's lead

2009-10-01T07:19:00.001-04:00

A coalition of six organizations (Center for Public Policy and Social Research at CCSU, Fund for the Environment, Capitol Region Council of Governments, Regional Plan Association, Tri-State Transportation Campaign, and Connecticut Fund for the Environment) is sponsoring a Bus Rapid Transit Symposium on October 15, 2009, from 9 am to 12 pm, in Room 2B of the LOB.

The agenda will include an expert panel with our keynote speaker, Joseph Calabrese (see below for more information), representatives from CONNDOT, the National Bus Rapid Transit Institute, and regional planning agencies, among others. As Connecticut legislators with experience and special interest in this area of public policy, your attendance would bring a significant and valuable practical perspective to the subject matter under discussion.

The event is being widely publicized by the participating organizations. A flyer for the event is attached. Please feel free to call me if you have any questions. We look forward to seeing you on the morning of October 15.

Sincerely,

Steve Kliger, Executive Director

Center for Public Policy and Social Research

Central Connecticut State University

On behalf of: Tri-State Transportation Campaign, The Connecticut Fund for the Environment, Regional Plan Association, Capitol Region Council of Governments, Transit for Connecticut, and Fund for the Environment.

Keynote Speaker Biography:

Joseph A. Calabrese, Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Cleveland Regional Transit Authority (RTA) is the keynote speaker. The RTA oversees the HealthLine, the recently opened and acclaimed BRT system that connects the city’s cultural, educational, medical and business centers, as well as local businesses in between. The HealthLine has generated over $4 billion in investment, is helping to revitalize Cleveland and Northeast Ohio and already exceeds projected ridership levels. For more information, see

Active Transportation is Transformational!

2009-09-30T14:41:00.002-04:00

This weekend Parade magazine had an article about Columbia, Missouri and how investments in Active Transportation are transforming how people get around town.

Columbia is one of the four pilot cities receiving federal funds for investments in non motorized transportation. The 2010 Active Transportation Campaign which is spearheaded by the Rails to Trails conservancy is working to bring this same kind of funding to many more communities in the country.

We developed the latest CRCOG Pedestrian/Bicycle Plan to position our region to be eligible for this funding.

Read about Columbia and dream about a transformed Hartford region!

Sandy Fry
Principal Transportation Planner
Capitol Region Council of Governments

Bond Commission Approves Funding for West Haven Station

2009-09-25T13:18:00.002-04:00

Some Democratic legislators were a little bit cranky about it, but the Bond Commission, meeting for the first time since April, approved $103 million for the West Haven Train Station.

The crankiness seems justified. The legislature approved the project based on a Department of Transportation estimate half this big. ConnDot's original estimate to build the station was $49 million, a somewhat later estimate came in at $60 million. The spokesperson from ConnDOT said the agency is reworking how they estimate projects and assured the legislators the agency would do better in the future.

A quick Web search on the evolution of the project's plans came up empty. The Congress for the New Urbanism hosted a community charette on the project last year. At that time, plans were already well on underway. Were any of its recommendations included? There is this plan for the station, but is this what they're building?

DC Update from Smart Growth America

2009-09-21T12:06:00.003-04:00

September 21, 2009

Senate Passes the FY2010 Transportation and Housing Spending Bill
LEGISLATION MOVES TO CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

After almost a week of debate over amendments, the Senate has approved its $122 billion FY 2010 Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill by a vote of 73 to 25. The House approved its version of the bill on July 23 by a vote of 256-168. The discretionary funding levels in the bill vary just slightly between the Senate and House versions, with the Senate spending $67.7 billion and the House providing $68.8 billion. The most significant difference is over spending on high-speed rail and funding for a National Infrastructure Bank. The Administration has made it clear that funding for high-speed rail is a priority issue for them. The White House has sought $1 billion a year for high-speed rail over the next five years. Smart Growth America is supporting the higher level of funding for high speed rail included in the Senate bill.

These bills also include $150 million for HUD's new sustainable communities effort, which will largely help fund planning grants to communities and regions. HUD will be releasing a process for the structure and application of those grants sometime after final passage of the appropriations bill.

During the week prior to passage, Senate Republicans offered a number of amendments to the bill in an attempt to strip all earmarked funding. The failed amendments included an amendment from John McCain (R-AZ) to block funding for HUD's brownfields economic development program and an amendment from Tom Coburn (R-OK) to remove a requirement that states spend 10 percent of their highway and transit cash on transportation enhancement projects, such as pedestrian and bike paths, scenic and historic highway programs, and environmental mitigation (See the vote for the Coburn amendment).

The Senate did pass an amendment offered by Senator Wicker (R-MS) that requires Amtrak to allow passengers to transport their guns in their checked luggage or lose their funding if they fail to comply within 6 months. This language was adopted by a vote of 68-30.

The Senate and House conferees are expected to meet in the next few weeks to work out the differences between the bills. The version approved by the House does not include the amendment related to firearms on Amtrak.

Senate Begins Work on FY 2010 Interior-Environment Spending Bill
LEGISLATION INCLUDES FUNDING FOR EPA SMART GROWTH OFFICE

On Thursday, the Senate began debate on the FY 2010 Interior and Environment appropriations bill before completing the Transportation-HUD bill. Debate on amendments will continue on Monday with more votes scheduled for Tuesday. The bill includes $32.1 billion in discretionary spending, which is a $4.5 billion increase over 2009 levels, but slightly less than the $32.3 billion in the House-passed bill and $225 million less than requested by the Administration.

It includes $5.146 million for the EPA smart growth office, as requested by the Administration, and close to Smart Growth America's request for $6 million. Funding for the Smart Growth office is not expected to be targeted by amendments, but debate will be monitored.

Congress Expected to Address Transportation Authorization with Extension
SAFETEA-LU SET TO EXPIRE SEPTEMBER 30

Legislation to reform and fully fund the aging national surface transportation system has been placed on the backburner for much of the summer. House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman James Oberstar (D-MN), who once spoke strongly against any delay, is now pushing for a 3-month extension. Three Senate bills that were approved by committees before the August recess have been consolidated into one. The bill, which would extend the current transportation law by 18 months and transfer $20 billion into the Highway Trust Fund, is expected to be brought to the floor this week.

Decisions on an extension will have to play out before the current law expires on September 30, 2009. Although many lawmakers are calling for quick action on this issue, history is not on their side. SAFETEA-LU was signed into law two years and 12 extensions after its predecessor was scheduled to expire.

Senate Climate Legislation Expected in the Coming Weeks
PRESSURE ON SENATORS NEEDED TO ENSURE FUNDING FOR TRANSPORTATION

Senator Boxer is expected to release the Senate's version of comprehensive climate legislation at the end of September. The House passed their version of the climate bill in June, which only allocates up to 1% for green transportation. Action is needed to ensure that the Senate bill dedicates more funding to support planning and green transportation, as in CLEAN-TEA which allocates 10% of funding for these purposes.

TAKE ACTION: Call and email Senator Dodd and Senator Leiberman today and ask them to tell Senator Boxer that significant funding for green transportation is needed to create jobs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector, which makes up about 1/3 of emissions in the U.S.

Visit the SGA Advocacy Center for more information and talking points.

Comments on Housing Finance Authority's Allocation Plan

2009-09-21T10:12:00.003-04:00

September 17, 2009
Ms. Delbe Speth, Manager
Tax Credit Programs, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority
999 West Street
Rocky Hill, CT 06067

Dear Ms. Speth:

1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut is the state’s preeminent smart growth education and advocacy organization. Affordable housing is a lynchpin of smart growth, and we are pleased to submit the following comments regarding the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority’s draft Qualified Allocation Plan.

We commend CHFA’s staff, executive leadership and board for expressing a commitment to responsible growth in the policy discussion of the QAP. We suggest that the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority be proactive and adopt the definition and principles of smart growth in the policy guidance. Public Act 09-230 requires the definition and principles become an integral part of the next iteration of the state’s Comprehensive Plan of Conservation and Development and the QAP maintains consistency with that plan.

The definition of smart growth and smart growth principles are as follows:

(1) "Smart growth" means economic, social and environmental development that (A) promotes, through financial and other incentives, economic competitiveness in the state while preserving natural resources, and (B) utilizes a collaborative approach to planning, decision-making and evaluation between and among all levels of government and the communities and the constituents they serve; and

(2) "Principles of smart growth" means standards and objectives that support and encourage smart growth when used to guide actions and decisions, including, but not limited to, standards and criteria for (A)integrated planning or investment that coordinates tax, transportation, housing, environmental and economic development policies at the state, regional and local level, (B) the reduction of reliance on the property tax by municipalities by creating efficiencies and coordination of services on the regional level while reducing interlocal competition for grand list growth, (C) the redevelopment of existing infrastructure and resources, including, but not limited to brownfields and historic places, (D) transportation choices that provide alternatives to automobiles, including rail, public transit, bikeways and walking, while reducing energy consumption, (E) the development or preservation of housing affordable to households of varying income in locations proximate to transportation or employment centers or locations compatible with smart growth, (F) concentrated, mixed-use, mixed income development proximate to transit nodes and civic, employment or cultural centers, and (G) the conservation and protection of natural resources by (i) preserving open space, water resources, farmland, environmentally sensitive areas and historic properties, and (ii) furthering energy efficiency.

On close analysis of the eligible points an applicant might earn, a discrepancy appears between what is articulated as a policy goal and how points accumulate. 1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut suggests the following modifications to incent affordable housing creation that better comports with smart, sustainable, responsible growth.
There are three areas in which 1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut suggests changes: first, transportation costs are second only to housing costs generally and, for many households, transportation costs actually exceed housing costs. The cost of transportation as a percentage of household income is highest among the lowest-income households. Transportation costs of people with access to transit are 25percent lower than for people who have no choice but to drive. Housing built in the wrong locations means driving is not a convenient alternative, but an expensive necessity. As the world in which we live becomes increasingly more carbon-constrained, there will be new costs associated with living in nontransit-accessible areas in the form of vehicle miles travelled taxes or carbon off-sets, etc. Creating incentives for affordable housing near transit saves low-income households money now and will save even more in the future. We suggest that applications that are within ½ mile of fixed route transit (bus rapid transit and passenger/commuter rail) be awarded General Class I priority status.

A key concept behind smart or responsible growth is creating balance between housing and jobs, yet the draft allocation plan gives no special consideration to housing built within walkable distances to employment centers. We recommend that D.2. be edited to add housing units within ½ mile of a major employer.

There is logical inconsistency in the point allocation of the Responsible Growth section. A site located within a 5-minute walk of a downtown area with a bank and a full-service grocery store should be assigned significantly more points than units within one mile of a rural community center which is likely to mean a now-empty post office, a Congregational Church and a former Grange Hall converted into a town office building. We recommend that D.9. be eliminated and D.2. be assigned 4 points.

One final general concern is the point allocation gives preference for low per-unit costs. This skews toward applications in places where the land values, site preparation and site security costs are low, and where there are no neighbors to request community benefits, etc. Point allocations for infill, brownfield remediation, historic preservation, building reuse, and community participation should be higher to clearly off-set the perceived preference for greenfield development.

1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut thanks you for your good work to house our low-income friends and stabilize our communities. We also thank you for the opportunity to comment and hope that you will make these changes to reinforce smart, sustainable, responsible growth in Connecticut.

Sincerely,

The Board and Staff of 1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut

Heidi Green, President

CT's Request for High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail Funding

2009-09-18T11:05:00.003-04:00

New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Line - Double tracking 8/24/2009 1A Installation of 10.5 miles of new track between Meriden and Berlin on the NHHS Line - Includes signal and grade crossing work. Provides double track segment extension in critical section of NHHS line to increase line capacity for designated HSP corridor.
Project Total $58,725,000 Federal $$ Requested $41,105,500

New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) Line - Double tracking 8/24/2009 1B Preliminary Engineering and the NEPA documentation for double tracking the entire NHHS corridor. In conjunction with 1A application listed above. Includes other associated ROW work (signal, interlocking, grade crossing, bridge repair).
Project Total $9,300,000 Federal $$ Requested $9,300,000

New Haven Line (NHL) Signal and Positive Train Control (PTC) systems 8/24/2009 1B Preliminary Engineering and the NEPA documentation for designing new signal system (inlcluding PTC) on the NHL (part of the NEC). Existing signal system requires replacement. New signal system will increase capacity and MAS on NHL.
Project Total $13,483,582 Federal $$ Requested $13,483,582

Shore Line East (SLE) Stations - North side platforms, pedestrian overpasses, parking improvements (includes new Westbrook station) 8/24/2009 1B Completes preliminary engineering and NEPA documentation for this project (CT has previously committed state funds for this project). Currently, there are single-sided station platforms on the south side. Double-sided station platforms will reduce congestion.
Project Total $300,000 Federal $$ Requested $300,000

Reestablish 4th Track (Track 3) between New Haven and Devon on New Haven Line (NHL) 8/24/2009 1B Completes preliminary engineering and NEPA documentation for this project (CT has previously committed state funds for this project). Reestablishes 4-track NHL main line section on critical NEC segment to increase capacity and reduce congestioon.

Project Total Approx $600,000 Federal $$ Requested $600,000

Total CT $82,408,582 Federal Share $64,789,082

September Smart Growth ENews

2009-09-16T08:54:00.002-04:00

Hot off the presses, 1000 Friends of Connecticut's September ENews.

Of interest, but not in this edition:

The legislative continuing committee on the state's land use plan will begin its discussion of how to integrate smart growth into the state's planning process. Thursday, September 17th at 10 AM in the Legislative Office Building, Hartford.

Walking Tour of Shawsheen Village, Andover, MA, September 19th.

AIA Connecticut Annual Conference, October 6, 8 to 3 PM, Oak Lane Country Club, Woodbridge.

Rockfall Symposium, October 9, 8:30 to 12:30, Middlesex Community College, Chapman Hall.

High-level summit on workforce housing finance reform, October 16, 8:30 to 5:30, UCONN Stamford.

As always, to subscribe or unsubscribe to the newsletter.

New Urbanists Work to Change International Fire Code

2009-09-14T15:24:00.003-04:00

The Congress for the New Urbanism has proposed changes to the International Fire Code to give local fire officials greater flexibility in street design.

The September 2009 issue of the New Urban News reports the proposed changes have been developed jointly by new urbanists and fire marshals. They'll be debated at the International Code Council's Annual Conference & Code Development Hearings in Baltimore, MD on October 24 to 26th. To find out more about the event and the suggested code.

Smart growth & local elections

2009-09-14T09:19:00.005-04:00

"Smart growth is just a euphemism for controlled, centralized planning by the apparatchiks of the Democratic Party and the permanent government. It's an elitist, centralized planning model that decides who gets to build.'' Chris Keating quoted Republican Party Chair Chris Healy on smart growth in his blog.

Smart Growth means putting the right development in the right places. It's good development, plain and simple, circumspect and outcomes-oriented. It seeks to benefit our economy, our environment and our society.

Members of your town committees will be out in force the next few weeks looking for your vote for the Board of Selectmen, Town Council, Mayor, Zoning Board, etc. Take time to educate them on the theory and practice of smart growth.

Ask for their commitment to, if elected, adopt plans, implement policies and prioritize investments to support smart, sustainable development in our towns & regions.

You got to hand it to Healy, his rhetoric is plenty entertaining. But what we need, given the challenges we face, is sensible, sober, smart growth.

1000 Friends Requests Copy of Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

2009-09-09T11:19:00.008-04:00

September 16th DECD has posted the plan.

Govenor Rell's press release announcing the plan.
___________________________________________
September 4, 2009

Honorable M. Jodi Rell, Governor
Connecticut Office of the Governor
210 Capitol Avenue
Hartford, CT 06106

Dear Governor Rell:

I am writing to request a copy, under the Freedom of Information Act, of the approximately 600-page document sent by the Department of Economic and Community Development to the Office of the Governor to meet the July 1, 2009 deadline for submission of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy referenced in Public Act 07-239 page 13 (11)(d). I also request copies of any communication between the Governor’s Office and the Department of Economic and Community Development pertaining to and subsequent to the Department’s submission.

Please send copies to me electronically at hegreen at 1000friends-ct dot org. Alternatively, I am happy to retrieve them from your staff. Please feel free to contact me on my cell phone at 203/715-3185. Thank you very much.
Sincerely,

Heidi Green, President
1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut

____________________________________________________________________________________

September 4, 2009

Ms. Joan McDonald, Commissioner
Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development
505 Hudson Street
Hartford, CT 06106

Dear Commissioner McDonald:

I am writing to request a copy, under the Freedom of Information Act, of the approximately 600-page document sent by the Department of Economic and Community Development to the Office of the Governor to meet the July 1, 2009 deadline for submission of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy referenced in Public Act 07-239 page 13 (11)(d). I also request copies of any communication between the Governor’s Office and the Department of Economic and Community Development pertaining to and subsequent to the Department’s submission.

Please send copies to me electronically at hegreen@1000friends-ct.org. Alternatively, I am happy to retrieve them from your staff. Please feel free to contact me on my cell phone at 203/715-3185. Thank you very much.

Sincerely,

Heidi Green, President
1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut

CT's missing economic development strategic plan
CTNews Junkie article on the plan.
Commerce Committee Co-chair, Senator Gary LeBeau comments on the status of the
Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

Mayor Dan Malloy comments on the status of the Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy

DECD General Counsel sent an email response to 1000 Friends' request saying, "DECD has not yet submitted anything, and therefore does not have a document responsive to your request. Simply put, we are late." The email was sent September 11th at 2:26 PM.

Wining Suburban Redesigns

2009-09-08T08:58:00.002-04:00

Reburbia announces the winners of its competition to redesign the suburbs!

The competition called for design solutions that would address the problems that plague present-day suburbia by envisioning different scenarios for the future. Proposals tackled McMansions, big box stores, strip malls, parking lots and more with design fixes ranging from community agriculture and algae-based biofuels to transplanted tract developments and zeppelin-based transit.

The competition drew 400 entries from more than a dozen countries, and while it was quite a challenge to narrow them down to twenty finalists, culling that list into just 4 winning entries proved almost impossible. In the end, there could only be one grand prize winner – read on to see the triumphant design!

Budget Follow Up

2009-09-02T08:23:00.003-04:00

Governor Rell announced the end of the biennial budget battle. In an end-of-day press conference, she said she wouldn't sign the budget but she won't kill it either. In five days, it goes into effect. But, first, she nickeled and dimed a bit, using her line item veto to cut $8 Million of the $37 Billion in programs and services that managed to escape the chain saw of those seeking to clear-cut state government.

Until the budget implementer is approved, we won't know the full extent of the cuts to smart growth programs. We do know transit funding, regional planning organizations, housing programs, and Main Street programs all are impacted. We also know the Departments of Environmental Protection, Economic and Community Development and Transportation experienced significant losses of staff who chose to take early retirement.

The budget that passed will not propel the state forward through the economic downturn. It remains to be seen just how much sand the cuts and the debt it contains will throw into the gears of our recovery.

For today, please take time to thank the members of the House and Senate who voted for the budget. They protected us from deeper cuts. And they had the courage to infuse a little bit of much-needed progressivity into our state tax system.

If your Senator or Representative voted against the budget, please share your disappointment with them. The vote tally is here.

Driving and the Built Environment

2009-09-01T14:16:00.003-04:00

The long awaited TRB report "Driving and the Built Environment: The Effects of Compact Development on Motorized Travel, Energy Use, and CO2 Emissions" was released today.

About the TRB Report

We’re excited that TRB took on the important work of examining the contribution that development patterns play in climate change and our energy usage, concluding that ‘policies that support more compact, mixed-use development and reinforce its ability to reduce VMT, energy use, and CO2 emissions should be encouraged.’ Since nearly a third of greenhouse gas emissions and 70 percent of our oil use are from the transportation sector, we’re not going to be able to reach our climate and energy goals without reductions in vehicle miles traveled.

The report confirms what the dozens of studies before it showed, as well: that making our communities more walkable, connected, and with better transportation choices can make a significant dent in greenhouse gas emissions, oil usage, and vehicle miles traveled. And the report finds, as real world communities have, that the other benefits of moving to more smart growth-oriented development are significant: ‘More compact, mixed-use development should reduce some infrastructure costs, increase the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of public transit, and expand housing choices where compact developments are undersupplied. Other benefits include less conversion of agricultural and other environmentally fragile areas and greater opportunities for physical activity by facilitating the use of nonmotorized modes of travel, such as walking and bicycling.’

The report rightly concludes that increasing density levels in our communities isn’t the only answer, but that to best reduce vehicle miles traveled rates, we need a comprehensive solution. Research by University of Utah professor Reid Ewing, who reviewed more than 50 vehicle miles traveled studies for his book Growing Cooler made the same conclusion: residential and employment densities were actually less important as a determinant of VMT levels than other factors such as accessibility to jobs and other destinations. Additionally, having a mix of uses in communities (like housing near shops, etc.) and a well-designed street network with sidewalks are just as important as density levels to VMT reduction.

The important number in the report is the estimate that coupling more compact development with better street connectivity, public transportation improvements, and other complementary measures, would result in a 25 percent reduction in vehicle miles traveled. That type of reduction would have a comparable level of reduction in greenhouse gas emissions per increment of new development.

The Center for Clean Air Policy has done research showing that even with the progress we’ve made on fuel efficiency standards and low carbon fuels, a major factor driving the increasing levels of GHG emissions from the transportation sector are the inefficient, sprawling development patterns of many American communities. For example, the number of miles Americans drive has grown three times faster than the U.S. population since 1980. CCAP estimates that even with the higher fuel efficiency standards passed by Congress last year and a low carbon fuel standard implemented nationwide, projected vehicle miles traveled increases would still leave us far above our climate targets for the transportation sector by 2030.

The TRB report makes a conservative projection about the impact that development patterns can make on vehicle miles traveled and climate change emissions, but underestimates the popularity and potential of strategies to help people drive less, while accomplishing more in their daily lives. The average American spends 100 hours in their car every year just commuting to work alone, and spends nearly 20 percent of their household budget on transportation costs. Fifty percent of Americans lack access to regular, quality public transportation.

The report is right that change is never easy, but Americans are clamoring for more convenient, walkable neighborhoods that offer the opportunity to spend less time in their cars. A 2004 Survey by Smart Growth America and the National Association of Realtors showed that 6 in 10 prospective homebuyers chose walkable neighborhoods with less time spent driving. Transit ridership reached its highest level last year since the 1950’s. And with an aging population and more households without children, these trends towards living in places closer to downtowns and near public transportation, are only projected to increase in the future.

Finally, the report underestimates the data and real-world examples showing clearly that significant reductions in vehicle miles traveled result from better designed, more walkable communities with real transportation choices. More than 200 studies have been conducted in recent years on the connection between development patterns and vehicle miles traveled, and there are examples around the country of communities that have seen reductions in VMT, greenhouse gas emissions, and oil usage due to better community design. Here’s just a sampling:

· Portland has a 20 percent lower vehicle miles traveled per capita, due to its investment in walkable, compact neighborhoods and public transportation choices. At the same time, the city saves thee equivalent of $2.6 billion annually in gasoline and time because of these measures, according to a CEOs for Cities report.

· In Georgia, the Atlantic Station redevelopment project in Atlanta has 30 percent lower driving rates compared to surrounding developments.

· A Seattle study found that households located in the most interconnected areas of the city generated less than half the VMT of households located in the least-connected areas of the region, holding true after adjusting for household size, income, and vehicle ownership.

· A study in the Bay Area of California by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission found that for people who both live and work within a half-mile of a rail or ferry stop, 42 percent commute by transit. For those who neither work nor live near these transit stations, only 4 percent commute by transit.

· The Center for Neighborhood Technology has an analysis of the CO2 levels per acre and household for 55 regions. Looking at the CO2 per household figures for each of the regions clearly shows the dramatic difference between center cities and out-lying suburbs, due to increasing amounts of auto travel: http://htaindex.cnt.org

Additional critiques of the study

The study’s more ‘moderate’ scenarios, which estimate reductions of only 5-12 percent less driving in more compact development, are out of touch with the reality of how much less people drive in areas that are smart growth oriented, versus business as usual development. The study itself estimates that the average reductions that are possible through smart growth development is a reduction of 25 percent, and Growing Cooler (based on a meta-analysis of dozens of VMT studies) found an average of 20-40 percent VMT reductions in smart growth versus typical sprawl developments.

**********************************
Kate Rube
Policy Director

Budget Passes

2009-09-01T11:30:00.003-04:00

The House and Senate passed the biennial budget last night. A quick review offers some, though little comfort. Municipalities fared generally better than had been expected, so the property tax impact will be smaller than we'd feared. Still the budget does little to address the structural deficit so we can look forward to an even more difficult budgeting process in 2012.

The budget bill and the vote tally for both the House and Senate are online.

An analysis of the bill is also available.

Budget Deal Seems Closer

2009-08-31T17:15:00.003-04:00

It looks like a budget is close. The House has been in recess all day caucusing. Yet another budget bill was released by Democratic leadership. It's a monster document but the independent agency analysis is a little more approachable. See it here.

Budget Stalemate Shaking Loose?

2009-08-26T14:32:00.001-04:00

It seems the budget stalemate may be breaking up. Governon Rell sent the following email message today: "Governor M. Jodi Rell, in an effort to move negotiations forward and have a budget in place by September 1, today presented a compromise budget alternative that provides an immediate tax cut for everyone, requires $520 million in spending cuts and proposes $710 million in new revenue.

'We need a state budget. It is time to move negotiations forward, not inch-by-inch but with great strides toward a meaningful agreement,' Governor Rell said. 'If the Democrats show flexibility on the spending side, I will be flexible on the tax side. Therefore, I am offering a true compromise with my fourth budget that should be voted on and signed into law by September 1.'”

The House and Senate will be in Special Session, Thursday, 8-27. They are caucusing today on the latest budget proposals.

Will there be funds to hold off the need for steep increases in the property tax? Will bonding be authorized for transit oriented development, brownfields clean up, affordable housing, historic preservation, open space preservation, farmland protection? Will the Special Transportation Fund receive the infusion necessary to match federal dollars and move key transit expansion and road & bridge repair projects? The budget must protect the health and safety of those most in need today and meet our need to invest for our future as well?

If you can, please take time tomorrow to join advocates at the Capitol to urge adoption of a more progressive income tax and smart, sustainable investments that protect critical programs and services and put us on the track to economic recovery.

Come anytime after 10 to lend your voice!

Zoning, Land Speculation, Benefits and Externalized Costs

2009-08-23T18:36:00.002-04:00

At Green on Green in Higganum the other day, zoning was a hot topic. A self-identified environmental scientist came over to the 1000 Friends booth and told me he was entirely opposed to smart growth. When I said I thought that an odd reaction from a person with his background, and asked why he had such strong negative opinions, he told me a story. He said he’d invested his retirement savings in a large piece of undeveloped land. Some time after he’d closed on the property, the town updated its zoning. Now, he said, he won’t be able as-of-right to subdivide the parcel into as many lots as he’d hoped.

A member of the land trust came by later and said the land trust was very active. New subdivision regulations require developers to set aside a certain percentage of the land as open space. A number of developers have offered protected parcels to the land trust. He said the trust had refused a number of parcels it had been offered because the land would be nearly impossible to steward and was of questionable value as open space. He described housing lots cut out like gerrymandered political districts with disconnected dregs left to make up the requisite open space set aside.

In the case of the first man, it’s a shame his investment didn’t go the way he hoped. It’s very sad, as anyone can attest who’s watched his/her their stock portfolio in the last couple of years, when our speculative investments don’t perform as we thought they should.

Because the zoning code was changed, he ceased to be able to externalize the negative short and long-run costs of unsustainable development.

Good zoning delivers positive outcomes. It should make it easy to build in the right places, build the right structures, meet design and engineering standards, all while protecting the private investments of land owners and delivering public good.

Does your town’s zoning code regulate to achieve the outcomes its citizens want today and into the future? Does it preference the desires of current land speculators or protect future generations from their externalized costs?

The environmental scientist’s investment didn’t give him the return he’d hoped for, but the zoning change should mean that when he subdivides his property, he will receive the return the real estate market will deliver. There will also be a positive return to the natural water system by maintaining open space for aquifer recharge, it will aid in cooling the planet through the carbon sequestration benefits provided by tree foliage, it will maintain the viability of interconnected species that rely on contiguous and varied habitat of a suitable size, and it may even boost the tourism economy and quality of life for residents of the town and the state.

Unfortunately, the comments of the land trust member led me to wonder if the new code is adequate to achieving the desired results.

How Should CHFA Spend its Money?

2009-08-21T12:31:00.002-04:00

The Draft 2010 Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) (a plan for how the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority will spend its money) has been approved by the CHFA Board of Directors. Now, the agency is looking for public comment.

Send your comments to Delbe Spath, Manager, Tax Credit Programs, Connecticut Housing Finance Authority, 999 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT 06067 or to delbe.spath@chfa.org by September 21st.

You can also share your thoughts at a public hearing:
Sept. 9, 10 to noon, Harrison Apartments Community Room, 651 State Street, Bridgeport, CT.

Sept. 16, 10 to noon -- Hamilton Apartment Community Room, 281 Hamilton Avenue, Norwich, CT.

Sept. 18, 1 to 3 -- Naubuc Senior Community Room, 193 Welles Street, Glastonbury, CT.

August Smart Growth ENews

2009-08-21T12:07:00.002-04:00

The August Smart Growth ENews is hot off the presses. In this issue, Senator Dodd's Livable Communities Act, Transportation update, pictures from the Fourth Annual Meeting and more!

EPA Releases New Guidebook to Encourage Smarter Community Design and Healthier Living for Seniors

2009-08-20T12:27:00.002-04:00

Subject: News Release (HQ):
CONTACT: Enesta Jones
jones.enesta@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

August 20, 2009

EPA Releases New Guidebook to Encourage Smarter Community Design and Healthier Living for Seniors

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released a new guidebook to help older adults access information about the importance of environmentally friendly community design and how to become involved in decisions about what is termed as “smart growth.” Smart growth covers a range of development and conservation strategies that help protect our natural environment and make our communities more attractive, economically stronger and more socially diverse.

"Growing Smarter, Living Healthier: A Guide to Smart Growth and Active Aging” addresses the basic principles of “age-friendly” neighborhoods and town designs that are healthier for people and the environment.

The guide offers suggestions and links to resources to learn more about how to remake neighborhoods to get around easier, whether someone lives in a city, suburb or small town. It also presents ideas for getting involved, providing housing options and gathering places, eating healthier and making it easier to carry out daily activities.

The guidebook also contains a self-assessment tool that allows communities to rate themselves based on how their communities are following the principles of smart growth.

Access the guidebook.

Update on Office of Urban Affairs, from the Lincoln Institute Newsletter

2009-08-20T10:30:00.002-04:00

President Obama's Office of Urban Affairs is up and running, but for those tracking a new relationship between the federal government and metropolitan regions, there has been equal ferment at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, under Secretary Shaun Donovan. HUD has been forging new partnerships with the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation and the Department of Energy, and a key player moved to Washington recently to help set the administration's sustainability agenda: Ron Sims, former executive of Washington's King County.

"Our idea is to sync things up," Sims said at a gathering of the Citistates Associates, led by Neal Peirce of the Washington Post Writers Group, for three days of brainstorming on regional initiatives on climate, energy, infrastructure, and transportation at Bridgewater, New Hampshire at the end of June. "I have never seen people moving more directionally on sustainability and livability."

Sims said the aim is to change the culture of HUD, and turn it back into an activist community development agency. "We must stop losing the opportunity to have an impact," he said, not just by focusing on cities but broader regions.

The new policy pathways are numerous, and they are all happening now: the $787 billion stimulus package and its implications for infrastructure, recently analyzed by SmartGrowthAmerica and the New York Times; the evolving cap-and-trade Markey-Waxman climate bill; and reauthorization of federal transportation spending.The Citistates group called for a "recalibration" based on the recognition that metropolitan regions are population centers that are hubs of innovation in the new green economy, requiring new ways of thinking of how they function most efficiently – and competitively – in the US economy. Currently states and individual cities compete for funds and conduct planning more like individual fiefdoms.

"We need a new narrative," said Bill Shutkin, director of the Initiative for Sustainable Development at the Leeds School of Business, University of Colorado. "The question is, can we respond to feedback, can we read the signals? Do we have the capacity to recalibrate and recover? We are at critical moment," he said, citing Jared Diamond's Collapse.

Regional initiatives on climate and transportation show signs of promise. But the group was guarded and pessimistic, and continued to look to Washington to seize the moment.

Brownfield Grant Guidelines Available

2009-08-20T08:56:00.001-04:00

The Environmental Protection Agency made EPA Brownfields Grant Proposal Guidelines available. They are on the web. Applications are due October 16, 2009.

CDC Recommendations for Obesity -- Includes Complete Streets

2009-08-19T14:18:00.000-04:00

Read the Report in Full

Summary

Approximately two thirds of U.S. adults and one fifth of U.S. children are obese or overweight. During 1980--2004, obesity prevalence among U.S. adults doubled, and recent data indicate an estimated 33% of U.S. adults are overweight (body mass index [BMI] 25.0--29.9), 34% are obese (BMI ≥30.0), including nearly 6% who are extremely obese (BMI ≥40.0). The prevalence of being overweight among children and adolescents increased substantially during 1999--2004, and approximately 17% of U.S. children and adolescents are overweight (defined as at or above the 95% percentile of the sex-specific BMI for age growth charts). Being either obese or overweight increases the risk for many chronic diseases (e.g., heart disease, type 2 diabetes, certain cancers, and stroke). Reversing the U.S. obesity epidemic requires a comprehensive and coordinated approach that uses policy and environmental change to transform communities into places that support and promote healthy lifestyle choices for all U.S. residents. Environmental factors (including lack of access to full-service grocery stores, increasing costs of healthy foods and the lower cost of unhealthy foods, and lack of access to safe places to play and exercise) all contribute to the increase in obesity rates by inhibiting or preventing healthy eating and active living behaviors. Recommended strategies and appropriate measurements are needed to assess the effectiveness of community initiatives to create environments that promote good nutrition and physical activity. To help communities in this effort, CDC initiated the Common Community Measures for Obesity Prevention Project (the Measures Project). The objective of the Measures Project was to identify and recommend a set of strategies and associated measurements that communities and local governments can use to plan and monitor environmental and policy-level changes for obesity prevention. This report describes the expert panel process that was used to identify 24 recommended strategies for obesity prevention and a suggested measurement for each strategy that communities can use to assess performance and track progress over time. The 24 strategies are divided into six categories: 1) strategies to promote the availability of affordable healthy food and beverages), 2) strategies to support healthy food and beverage choices, 3) a strategy to encourage breastfeeding, 4) strategies to encourage physical activity or limit sedentary activity among children and youth, 5) strategies to create safe communities that support physical activity, and 6) a strategy to encourage communities to organize for change.

Advocates Appeal to Federal Railroad Administration for High Speed in New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Corridor

2009-08-19T09:29:00.001-04:00

August 11, 2009

Joseph C. Szabo
Federal Railroad Administration
United States Department of Transportation
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC 20590

RE: Support for the New Haven-Springfield Commuter Rail Line

Dear Administrator Szabo:

Several weeks ago, with the strong support of Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell, the State of Connecticut submitted a pre-application for High Speed Rail stimulus funds to be used for implementation of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield (NHHS) rail project. The NHHS project includes Massachusetts as a key partner, and is a critically important component of the joint Vision for the New England High-Speed and Intercity Rail Network recently released by the New England state transportation agencies with the bi-partisan support of New England’s governors.

Extensive support for the NHHS project exists not only at the state level in Connecticut and Massachusetts, but also at the federal level. The list of public supporters is long and, at the federal level, currently includes Senators Edward Kennedy and John Kerry, and Representatives Jim McGovern, Richard Neal, Niki Tsongas and John Olver of Massachusetts; as well as Senator Christopher Dodd and Representatives Chris Murphy, Rosa DeLauro and John Larson of Connecticut.

We write to add the advocacy community’s backing to the NHHS project’s growing list of supporters.

As advocacy groups representing varying interests, we do not always agree on all issues. However, we do agree that federal support for the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail corridor is integral to move the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions into the 21st century.

This rail corridor is an ideal candidate for federal High Speed Rail stimulus funding and should be viewed as a project of regional significance by the Federal Rail Administration (FRA). While the project is primarily based in Connecticut, it also holds potential benefits for the greater New England region. For example, according to the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission 2006 Briefing Report: The Economic Impact of the Proposed New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Commuter Rail Line and the ConnDOT Implementation Plan, it is expected that the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield line will:

• Reduce the number of vehicles on roads by approximately 6,000 cars each day
• Increase the connectivity of rail and bus systems at 12 train stations, including the proposed Hartford-New Britain Busway
• Foster better linkages between Bradley International Airport and the region
• Generate close to 1,000 jobs
• Generate $459 million in new economic development and $38 million a year in new tax revenues

These are just a few of the many benefits that the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail project will bring to New England. In addition, improvements to the rail corridor will reduce travel times as well as increase reliability on the existing Vermonter route which links Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont and Canada. Investment will also lay the foundation to connect several Connecticut and Massachusetts cities with the economic spine of New England and take the first step towards long term travel-time savings between New York and Boston.

Finally, the project fits seamlessly into FRA’s strategic plan for High Speed Rail. For example, implementation will create efficient and multi-modal transportation options; promote smarter, more livable communities with greater affordable housing opportunities centered around transit service; bolster economic development and economic competitiveness; and protect our environment by reducing the number of both vehicle miles traveled and the number of idling vehicles along the already gridlocked I-91 corridor; all preferred outcomes found within the strategic plan.

Once again we urge you to support the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail corridor application and to recommend stimulus dollars towards its implementation.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions.

Sincerely,

Kate Slevin Tom Irwin
Executive Director Senior Attorney
Tri-State Transportation Campaign Conservation Law Foundation

David Kooris Curt Johnson
Vice President Director of Programs, Senior Attorney
Regional Plan Association-Connecticut Connecticut Fund for the Environment
Herbert Singleton John Pagini
President Professional Development Officer
Pioneer Valley Advocates for Commuter Rail Connecticut Chapter-APA
Jill Kelly and Carol Leightins Oz Griebel
Co-Coordinators President and CEO
Connecticut Citizens Transportation Lobby MetroHartford Alliance

Christopher Phelps Peter Griffin
Program Director President
Environment Connecticut NH Railroad Revitalization Association

Toni Gold Lori Brown
President Executive Director
Urban Edge Associates CT League of Conservation Voters Education Fund

Mark Richardson Diane Randall
President Executive Director
NH Businesses for Transportation Partnership for Strong Communities
and Infrastructure

Phineas Baxandall Kenneth Niemcyzk
Federal Tax and Budget Policy Analyst City Planner
ConnPIRG City of Lebanon, NH

Elizabeth Weyant Joe McGee
Staff Attorney Vice President, Public Policy and Programs
MassPIRG Business Council of Fairfield County

Heidi Green
President
1000 Friends of Connecticut

Cc. Senator Edward Kennedy, Massachusetts
Senator John Kerry, Massachusetts
Senator Christopher Dodd, Connecticut
Representative Jim McGovern, Massachusetts
Representative Richard Neal, Massachusetts
Representative Niki Tsongas, Massachusetts
Representative John Olver, Massachusetts
Representative Rosa DeLauro, Connecticut
Representative John Larson, Connecticut
Representative Chris Murphy, Connecticut
Governor Deval Patrick, Massachusetts
Governor M. Jodi Rell, Connecticut
Joseph Marie, ConnDOT Commissioner
Karen Rae, FRA Deputy Administrator

News on federal passenger rail policy and developments from the Nation's Capitol

2009-08-10T09:17:00.001-04:00

The Capitol Limited
(from the latest issue of Fast Mail for Rail)

FRA Receives 278 Pre-Applications for High Speed Rail: U.S. Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood announced that the Federal Railroad Administration has received 278 pre-applications for grant funding totaling $102 billion. The money will come from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) for the High-Speed Intercity Passenger Rail competitive grant program.

Amtrak Unveils First Rebuilt Passenger Car from ARRA Investment: Passenger car no. 25103, damaged a few years ago in a yard collision but now completely refurbished - complete with that "new car" interior smell - was shown off at Amtrak's maintenance facility in Bear, Del. More than 100 hard-hatted workers joined Amtrak president and CEO Joseph Boardman in celebrating completion of its restoration.

Senate Approves $150 Million Appropriation for Washington (D.C.) Metro: The Senate Appropriations Committee included $150 million for Metro in a spending bill for the next fiscal year. The House approved a spending bill last week that includes the money. On Tuesday night, by unanimous consent, the Senate approved a change in Metro's compact that allows the agency to receive federal funds.

Analysis: High Speed Rail Supports American Business: Whether you agree or disagree with the premise of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, it is clear that higher-speed rail most completely fulfills the goals of ARRA. Government is often criticized for spending money on projects that generate no economic benefit. If the numbers above are accurate, high speed rail can generate more than $8 in private investment for each public dollar spent.

Analysis: Might Delay in High Speed Rail Allow for Better Projects?: Now the U.S. is in a great position to take advantage of being late to the game by eliminating common challenges faced by those who preceded us, such as the improper maintenance of sensors on tracks or not being able to respond to major sporting or weather events when scheduling trains through the largest cities. Just observing what has and hasn't worked in other places can save the U.S. billions of dollars as we build our high-speed passenger rail systems. This savings can be critical, considering the tight budgets the states will be working with.

Senator Dodd Introduces Livable Communities Act

2009-08-06T18:40:00.002-04:00

Creating Better And More Affordable Places To Live, Work And Raise Families

Senator Dodd’s Livable Communities Act will help local communities plan for and create better and more affordable places to live, work, and raise families. With sustainable development, our communities will cut traffic congestion; reduce greenhouse gas emissions and gasoline consumption; protect rural areas and green spaces; revitalize existing Main Streets and urban centers; and create more affordable housing.

FUNDS REGIONAL PLANNING TO MAKE OUR COMMUNITIES MORE LIVABLE

Incentives To Plan For Livable Communities. The Comprehensive Planning Grant Program will help communities develop comprehensive regional plans that incorporate transportation, housing, community and economic development, and environmental needs. Grantees must demonstrate a commitment to integrated planning and sustainable development. The Act authorizes $400 million in competitive grants over four years.

Funding to Implement Sustainable Development Projects. The Challenge Grant Program will enable communities to implement cross-cutting projects according to their comprehensive regional plans. With $3.75 billion authorized for competitive grants over three years, these projects will help communities create and preserve affordable housing; support transit-oriented development; improve public transportation; create pedestrian and bicycle thoroughfares; redevelop brownfields; and foster economic development.

Partnering with Local Communities. The legislation ensures that the federal government is a supportive partner for communities’ sustainable development efforts, offering technical assistance to regions that apply for Livable Communities grants and giving special assistance to smaller communities that may need additional help to get started. As a resource for sustainability best practices and technical assistance, the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities will ensure that communities learn from each other’s successes.

ELIMINATES BARRIERS TO FEDERAL AGENCIES WORKING TOGETHER TO FACILITATE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT

Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities. By bringing together the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other federal agencies, the Interagency Council on Sustainable Communities will coordinate federal sustainable development policies; coordinate federal sustainability research; coordinate with HUD to implement Livable Communities grants; identify barriers to sustainable development; and promote coordination of transportation, housing, community development, energy, and environmental policies.

Office of Sustainable Housing And Communities. The Department of Housing and Urban Development will establish the Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities to coordinate federal policies that foster sustainable development and administer HUD’s sustainability initiatives; recommend and conduct research; implement and oversee Livable Communities grant programs in coordination with the Interagency Council; and provide guidance, best practices and technical assistance to communities seeking to plan for the future.

Liveable Communities Act -- What People Are Saying

2009-08-06T18:38:00.001-04:00

Here’s What People Are Saying About Dodd’s Livable Communities Act:

Senator Dodd’s proposed Livable Communities Act represents a major step forward for the federal government and its contribution to the economic health of vibrant communities and urban centers. The bill recognizes the relationship between housing, transportation and environmental performance - a relationship that is essential to the nation’s long-term economic prosperity.
--JOHN DESTEFANO, JR., Mayor, City of New Haven, Connecticut

Senator Dodd's Livable Communities Act is manna from heaven. It finally marries smart housing, transit and environmental policy in an enlightened way by allowing localities and regions to plan affordable homes for workers near transit. Local control is vital and homes near transit will increase affordability and reduce congestion and pollution. When the story of smart 21st Century community development is written, Senator Dodd and this bill will be the stars of the drama.
-- DAVID FINK, Policy Director, Partnership for Strong Communities

The Partnership for Strong Communities raises public awareness and advances solutions to end chronic homelessness, creates affordable housing and builds healthy, economically vital communities in Connecticut.

I am delighted that Senator Dodd’s initiative builds on the work of the Capitol Region Council of Governments. By forming a nexus between efficient transit systems and responsible zoning, the Livable Communities Act effectively promotes citizens’ quality of life while combating harmful carbon emissions. The bill Senator Dodd has introduced is exactly what we need to build better communities.
--LYLE WRAY, Executive Director, Capitol Region Council of Governments

CRCOG assists citizens and local officials of the 29 communities of Connecticut’s capital region in articulating, advocating and implementing the vision, needs and values of their regional community.

Demographic and market research shows that Americans are increasingly clamoring for more walkable, bikeable and sustainable communities that offer them cleaner and healthier options to get around. Senator Dodd’s bill is a forward-looking approach that will give metropolitan regions the tools they need to meet this growing demand and prepare our cities, towns and communities for the 21st century. The bill follows a proven model to create jobs and build more energy-independent, economically competitive, attractive and healthy places to live while saving money over the long term.
--GEOFF ANDERSON, President, Smart Growth America

Smart Growth America is a coalition focused on preservation, the environment and neighborhood revitalization to improve the ways we plan and build the towns, cities and metro areas we call home.

Today's announcement is a welcome one in the planning community and a sign that better living through smart community planning and development around cleaner transportation options is, and should be, achievable around the country. We congratulate Senator Dodd in this bold step and look forward to working with him to advance the goals of this important piece of legislation.
-- ROBERT YARO, President, Regional Plan Association

Regional Plan Association is dedicated to improving the quality of life and the economic competitiveness of the 31-county New York-New Jersey-Connecticut region through research, planning, and advocacy.

“NLC applauds Senator Dodd’s leadership in integrating land-use, housing and transportation planning among all levels of government. The Livable Communities Act would strengthen the intergovernmental partnership between federal, regional, and local leaders, helping all levels of government serve our nation’s neighborhoods and families more effectively.”
– DONALD J. BORUT, Executive Director, National League of Cities

“The nation’s counties strongly support Senator Dodd’s Living Communities bill. We commend the Senator for his leadership on this critical initiative which will result in a more efficient and sustainable use of federal and local housing, transportation, and environmental resources.”
-- LARRY E. NAAKE, Executive Director, National Association of Counties

Survey for Urban Infill Research Study

2009-08-03T12:36:00.003-04:00

This link will direct you to a brief online survey. This survey is part of a National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) study to develop guidance and a methodology for the preparation and review of transportation impact analyses (TIAs) of infill development in urban or urbanizing areas. You can help support this effort by answering a few brief questions.

Why this is important

Higher density, mixed-use redevelopment and infill development are smart growth concepts that are an increasingly common form of development subject to environmental review and often traffic impact studies. However, there is a lack of standardized guidance and trip and parking generation data for preparing these studies.

Why your help is needed

The first phase of this study involves collecting information on current infill development definitions, infill traffic and parking generation data and estimation methods, TIA analysis methods and agency review procedures. Kimley-Horn and Associates, on behalf of NCHRP, would like to survey those involved in various aspects of infill development in order to collect this information. Your responses are completely confidential and will be used to identify valuable information and resources regarding the current state-of-the-practice of analyzing the impacts of infill development.

Thank you for your time. Please click to complete the survey.

Restoring Prosperity August 2009 Newsletter

2009-08-03T11:38:00.003-04:00

Restoring Prosperity Report

To subscribe to the newsletter, contact Mara at Smart Growth America

State and National News

News from Smart Growth America's State Stimulus Campaign

June 29th marked the 120-day deadline for states to commit at least 50 percent ($13.3 billion) of the transportation funding available through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). SGA's state stimulus campaign has released The States and the Stimulus: Are they using it to create jobs and 21st century transportation? (http://blog.smartgrowthamerica.org/2009/06/29/120-days-in-sga-reviews-the-stimulus-spending-on-transportation/). The report evaluates state project lists at this 120-day mark to determine how effective states have been in achieving the goals set forth by ARRA, as well as their success in creating jobs, building towards a 21st century transportation system, and making transparent and accountable spending decisions.

At the national level, the study identifies some discouraging trends:
? Despite a multi-trillion dollar backlog of road and bridge repairs, states committed almost a third of the ARRA Surface Transportation Program (STP) money to new capacity road and bridge projects rather than repair.
? Most states did not use ARRA funding to fill the giant backlog in public transportation investment.
? Overall, transparency of decisions is lacking, and accountability for results is weak.

However, the study also highlights some notable achievements at the state level: seven states are spending more than 10 percent of their funding on expanding public transportation, walking, and biking choices, and 17 states are spending more than 90 percent of funding on road repair. Read more about the report here [stimulus.smartgrowthamerica.org/20ways].

House Transportation Bill Released

Congressman James Oberstar, Chairman of the House Transportation Committee, released a draft of the House Surface Transportation Authorization Act of 2009 [http://t4america.org/pressers/2009/06/23/house-transportation-bill-lays-groundwork-for-reform-but-key-details-are-missing-significant-work-still-needed/]last week. Some of the basic principles for reform are present, but key details are still missing. Positive features of the bill include that it increases public transit funding, simplifies and streamlines federal transportation policy, increases local control, directs money towards repair and maintenance, and helps large metro areas meet their pressing transportation needs. Critical areas for improvement include the need for a greater focus on performance targets and accountability, incentives that would encourage states and localities to coordinate land use and development planning with transportation, and a greater focus on equity and affordability. The Obama administration has requested that the transportation authorization be tabled for 18 months, but Congressman Oberstar has voiced his desire to move forward with the bill. To track the legislation's progress, visit the Transportation for America blog [http://www.t4america.org/blog].

Congresswoman Schwartz (PA) Introduces Green Communities Act

In April, Representative Allyson Schwartz (PA-13) introduced the Green Communities Act (HR 2222) [http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h2222ih.txt.pdf], which would give grants to municipalities for community greening initiatives. This act [http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/z?d111:h.r.02222:] would provide funds for eighty municipalities to encourage revitalization of parks and other public spaces, landscape community areas, plant trees and participate in other urban forestry projects, preserve open space, construct green roofs, create green stormwater infrastructure, manage vacant lots, and educate the community on these green initiatives. Projects funded through this bill could improve neighborhoods, increase real estate values, encourage commercial development, and reduce violence and crime. The program would extend for five years ? fiscal years 2010-2014 ? and provide a total of $270 million in funding for these initiatives to improve neighborhoods. Advocates are seeking cosponsors for the bill now. For more information, contact Greg Lewis [glewis@nemw.org] at the Northeast-Midwest Institute [http://www.nemw.org/].

Middle Class Task Force Announced

On May 26th, a new interagency partnership called the Middle Class Task Force [http://www.whitehouse.gov/strongmiddleclass/] was announced [http://www.hud.gov/news/release.cfm?content=pr09-074.cfm]. The task force is "a major initiative targeted at raising the living standards of middle-class, working families in America." It is chaired by Vice President Biden, and includes representatives from several executive agencies: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Treasury, Commerce, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation, Agriculture, the National Economic Council, the Office of Management and Budget, the Domestic Policy Council, and the Council of Economic Advisors. Among its goals are ensuring that "green" jobs are readily available for middle-class workers, providing training and employment for public housing residents, expanding education, protecting incomes for working- and middle-class families, and improving work and family balance. Through inter-agency coordination, the task force hopes to improve the quality of life for middle-class families and reinvigorate the American manufacturing sector through "green" jobs.

EPA Joins HUD, DOT in Partnership for Sustainable Communities

Earlier this year, HUD and DOT announced an unprecedented agreement to implement joint housing and transportation initiatives.This month, EPA announced that it would also be joining the partnership [http://www.nemw.org/dot-hud-epa-partnership20090616.pdf]. The three agencies will work together to ensure that the goals of these housing and transportation initiatives are met, while simultaneously protecting the environment, promoting equitable development, and helping to address the challenges of climate change.The partnership will be guided by a set of Livability Principles [http://www.nemw.org/dot-hud-epa-partnership20090616.pdf] that touch on equity, affordability, and investment in existing communities. ''Where you live affects how you get around, and how you get around often affects where you live," testified EPA Administrator Lisa P. Jackson before the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. "Both decisions affect our environment. In order to have the most effective greenhouse gas reduction strategy, we should have a strategy to reduce vehicle miles traveled. In order to provide truly affordable housing, we should take into account what residents must pay for transportation, energy, and water.''

Connecticut Passes Slate of Smart Growth Legislation

Thanks to the hard work of 1,000 Friends of Connecticut [http://www.1000friends-ct.org/] and other state and local advocates, the Connecticut legislature passed several bills this session that advance smart growth and planning in the state. Bills addressed needs including: defining smart growth and making it integral to the state's planning, encouraging regionalism, financing green development near transit, expediting the cleanup and reuse of polluted sites, propping up struggling dairy farmers, protecting the dedicated revenue source (the Community Investment Account) for affordable housing, open space, farmland, and historic preservation, and making the streets more complete for cyclists, pedestrians and transit users. The state also passed a vacant properties registration act [http://vacantproperties.org/strategies/tools.html], an important tool for communities across the country that are facing heightened vacancies in the fact of the foreclosure crisis. SB 951, An Act Concerning Neighborhood Protection [http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/ACT/PA/2009PA-00144-R00SB-00951-PA.htm] requires the registration of any vacant or foreclosed properties with local authorities, and gives those authorities enforcement capability if there are problems with the properties. Read more about the range of legislative victories that occurred this month in Connecticut here [http://1000friends-ct.blogspot.com/].

Millennial Mayors Congress Launched in Michigan

The Millennial Mayors Congress [http://www.millennialmayors.org/] is an exciting new program launched in metropolitan Detroit by the Michigan Suburbs Alliance [http://michigansuburbsalliance.org/] which brings together towns and generations to build ideas and policy for the region. The Congress has two delegates from each of the 22 participating communities in Wayne, Oakland and Macomb counties ? one local government representative (the mayor or another city official) and one "millennial representative" ? an 18-35 year old community resident. The millennial delegates include attorneys, students, nonprofit leaders, organizers, technical experts and business owners. On June 6th, the Millennial Mayors Congress had its first meeting, and discussed the issues it may tackle this year: economic development and diversification, building a green economy, energy efficiency, and municipal cost-saving strategies. Through a collaborative, regional approach, the Congress hopes to address some of these issues through shared goals, local action, and coordination.

<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
Restoring Prosperity Policy Case Study

Build on Economic Strengths: Invest in Downtown Revitalization

The Problem: The forces of urban sprawl can often divert resources away from city centers and cause downtowns to suffer economically. This process not only hurts the immediate downtown, but also the health of the region.

The Solution: Invest in multi-pronged approaches to downtown revitalization, taking advantage of the synergistic benefits of historic preservation, mixed-use development, improved public transportation, and local business development. Take steps to make downtown public spaces attractive and safe.

Case Study

State: New Jersey

Policy: Starting in 1998, Newark's neighborhood planning process generated a revitalization plan for the area, which includes the Lincoln Park and Coast historic neighborhoods, in order to combat its slow decline. That neighborhood plan articulated a vision of an arts and cultural district that would include artist live-work spaces, mixed-use buildings, community programs, historic preservation, a Museum of African American Music, and restoration of Newark Symphony Hall, all using green building techniques. The Lincoln Park/Coast Cultural District (LPCCD) emerged from that process in 2002 as an organization dedicated to implementing the neighborhood plan, and the Newark Municipal Council adopted the plan in 2005. LPCCD is planning to build 300 "green" units, including townhouses and condos, over four years. These will be targeted to a variety of income levels, so that the housing is accessible to current residents as well as new residents interested in green buildings. LPCCD also created the Green-Collar Apprenticeship Program (GreenCAP), which puts local residents to work on LPCCD's construction projects while giving them both traditional union apprenticeships in HVAC, electrical work, and plumbing and specific training in green construction techniques. The first class, with 30 participants, started work in spring 2008.

More info:
http://www.policylink.org/ToBeStrongAgain.pdf
http://www.lpccd.org/

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Resources

MetroMonitor
The Brookings Institution
http://www.brookings.edu/metro/MetroMonitor.aspx?emc=lm&m=226673&l=1&v=1031848
The Brookings Institute's quarterly MetroMonitor follows markers of economic health for the 100 largest metropolitan economies in America, including employment, wages, Gross Metropolitan Product, housing prices, and real estate owned (REO) properties.

High Road or Low Road?
Good Jobs First
http://www.goodjobsfirst.org/pdf/gjfgreenjobsrpt.pdf
In this report, Good Jobs First looks at the labor quality and standards for existing green jobs, and makes recommendations on how to assure that newly-created green jobs provide sufficient wages and other quality-of-life benefits.

Reclaiming Foreclosed Properties for Community Benefit
PolicyLink
http://www.policylink.org/site/c.lkIXLbMNJrE/b.5280605/k.3855/Reclaiming_Foreclosed_Properties.htm
This tool provides a framework for developing a comprehensive foreclosure recovery plan and showcases the most innovative and promising strategies for the acquisition, maintenance, management and transfer of these properties to low-income renters and homeowners, or for other beneficial use.

Ask the Climate Question: Adapting to Climate Change Impacts in Urban Regions
Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP)
http://www.ccap.org/docs/resources/674/Urban_Climate_Adaptation-FINAL_CCAP%206-9-09.pdf
In partnership with government leaders from several large counties and cities, CCAP launched the Urban Leaders Adaptation Initiative in 2006 to serve as a resource for local governments as they face important infrastructure and land-use decisions in the face of climate change. This document highlights the progress each partner county or city has made in advancing their local climate adaptation efforts and provides a summary of lessons learned and policy implications gathered by CCAP to date.

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In the News

Michigan: No More Appeals, Tiger Stadium Falling
http://www.freep.com/article/20090608/NEWS05/90608038/No+more+appeals++Tiger+Stadium+falling

California: Rebooting Urban Watersheds
http://www.hcn.org/issues/41.10/rebooting-the-urban-watershed-movement

New York/New Jersey: Work Begins on the Nation's Largest Mass Transit Project
http://www.cnn.com/2009/US/06/08/newyork.rail.tunnel/index.html

New Jersey: Suburban Sprawl Stops in Morris County
http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20090607/COMMUNITIES/906070310/1005/NEWS01

$4 Million En Route to NHHS Line

2009-07-31T09:05:00.002-04:00

WASHINGTON – Senator Chris Dodd (D-CT) announced that the Connecticut Department of Transportation will receive $4 million for the development of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line under legislation approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee today. The project is included in the Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations Act that would provide ConnDOT with $4 million in transit planning funds for the project.

“This funding is a down payment on the future of the New Haven-Hartford-Springfield rail line,” said Dodd. “Moving forward with the development of the rail line is going to require a solid foundation and coordination among states, federal transit and rail agencies, and Amtrak. These funds will give ConnDOT the additional tools to help build this collaboration.”

Dodd, a leading advocate for the=2 0development of the Tri-City Corridor, worked with his colleagues on the Appropriations Committee to secure the funding. This measure will help ConnDOT conduct the analyses required to secure future funding through the Federal Transit Administration’s New Starts process, in addition to pursuing high-speed rail funds provided in the Recovery Act.

The Tri-City Corridor would establish both faster intercity and commuter service between New Haven, Hartford, and Springfield, providing residents of central Connecticut with better access to southwest Connecticut, New York City, western Massachusetts and Vermont.

Read the Courant story.

T4 America Co-chair to head HUD Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities

2009-07-28T19:57:00.002-04:00

T4 America Co-Chair Shelley Poticha to head new HUD Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities
July 24, 2009
By Transportation for America
CONTACT: David Goldberg
202.412-7930
david.goldberg@T4America.org

The Obama Administration has appointed Transportation for America Co-Chair Shelley Poticha to be Senior Advisor for Sustainable Housing and Communities at the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the department announced today.
Poticha, who is also President and CEO of Reconnecting America, is expected to head a new HUD Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities that would be created under legislation to be sponsored by Senate Banking Committee Chairman Chris Dodd (D-CT).
“Shelley will help lead HUD’s effort to change the way we think about how our communities fit with how Americans live their lives,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Her wealth of experience will help move us forward in creating sustainable, greener and smarter communities.”

Poticha has been Co-Chair of the Transportation for America campaign since its launch in 2008. As president and CEO of the national nonprofit Reconnecting America since 2004, she has become a national leader for the reform of land use and transportation planning and policy. In that role, and as former executive director of the Congress for the New Urbanism, she has helped stimulate a national conversation about the role of transportation in shaping communities and making them more sustainable and affordable. She also has been a tireless advocate for diverse and inclusive neighborhoods.

“Shelley understands how transportation, housing, energy and environmental policies impact the real lives of people,” said James Corless, Director of Transportation for America. “She will be a powerful voice to ensure we make smarter investments at the federal level to make American communities safer, healthier and more prosperous. We are sad to loser her leadership of our campaign, but are proud to see her take on this new and exciting challenge.”

“Shelley has worked with all levels of government on the issues of livability, sustainability and affordability. Secretary Donovan couldn’t have made a better choice,” said New York City Transportation Commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, President of Reconnecting America’s Board of Directors and a member of the T4 America executive committee. “Shelley is one of this country’s foremost experts on sustainable communities.”

Poticha will advise HUD Deputy Secretary Ron Sims on sustainability issues. Sims was previously Director of Strategic Planning and Performance Management for King County, Washington.

“Shelley is a visionary and well-respected expert in growth management and urban policy and will help all of us focus on how to create better living environments for all Americans,” Sims said.
HUD’s Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities will advance will provide technical and policy support for energy, green building and integrated housing and transportation programs at HUD and around the nation. Additionally, the office will manage the department’s key relationships with other federal agencies.

Poticha has helped forge an interagency partnership between HUD and the Federal Transit Administration to link transit and land use policy and funding, and to study the interplay between housing and transportation costs. One of the products of this partnership was a report entitled “Realizing the Potential: Expanding Housing Opportunities Near Transit,” which examined the strategies being used to create and preserve mixed-income housing near transit in five case study regions. The report was authored by the Center for Transit-Oriented Development, a partnership of Reconnecting America, the Center for Neighborhood Technology and Strategic Economics.

Shelley has co-authored several books, including The New Transit Town: Best Practices in Transit-Oriented Development, Street Smart: Streetcars and Cities in the 21st Century, and The Next American Metropolis, as well as the Charter of the New Urbanism, and many reports and white papers.

Smart ENews - July 2009

2009-07-22T13:57:00.000-04:00

Smart ENews - July 2009

67 Percent of Voters Support Progressive Income Tax Increases to Resolve Budget Deficit

2009-07-22T11:06:00.004-04:00

A new Quinnipiac Poll found voters support 71 - 27 percent raising the state income tax for individuals making at least $265,000 per year and couples making at least $500,000. The measure wins 90 - 9 percent support from Democrats and 71 - 26 percent support from independent voters, while Republicans oppose it 57 - 40 percent.

90 percent of democrats, 71 percent of independents, and 40 percent of republicans represents a clear mandate!

1000 Friends Presents SMARTIE Award to Tom Condon

2009-07-21T13:10:00.003-04:00

1000 Friends of Connecticut will present Tom Condon, Hartford Courant editorial board member, columnist, and smart growth champ, its first Smartie award at the Fourth Annual Meeting. July 21, 5PM, Hartford Public Library. See the July edition of the Smart growth ENews for more!

2009-07-19T11:41:00.002-04:00

Last week, Governor Rell announced that state agencies will begin to look for purchasers of state assets to generate cash to fill the hole in our budget. See a recent article about Seaside, one asset we're likely to liquidate.

It's reasonable to ask if this is the best time to be selling our inheritance. It's not as if the real estate market were hot right now! Don't they say buy low, sell high? We're doing just the opposite and with an $8.9 Billion deficit, $7 million here-or-there won't make a noticeable dent.

Still, I am less troubled that Governor Rell is considering selling our inherited state assets than I am that our assets are being sold without provisions saying their reuse must be in accordance with smart growth principles.

What will the state require of the entities that purchase our inheritance? The preservation of historic buildings? The sustainable use of natural resources? A lively mix of housing, work and recreational uses? That housing units are affordable to people at a variety of income levels, including some for low-income people, and that residents and workers can get around with buses or trains, cycles and their own feet, not just their cars?

Including provisions like these would guarantee that sales meet our short term need for cash and continue to generate a return over the long run. Otherwise, our legacy may be that we'll be paying for generations for this small infusion of cash to help close a two-year budget!

OLR Report on Vetoed Bills

2009-07-15T23:52:00.002-04:00

July 10, 2009
2009-R-0232

2009 VETO PACKAGE

By: John Moran, Principal Analyst

The governor vetoed the following acts (18 public acts and two special acts):

SA 09-15, An Act Concerning the Powers of the Metropolitan District Commission to Sponsor Certain Projects ……………………………page 3

SA 09-16, An Act Concerning Green Jobs …………………………………3

PA 09-87, An Act Concerning Affirmative Action and Contracting Procedures for the Metropolitan District of Hartford County ……………4

PA 09-107, An Act Concerning the Penalty for a Capital Felony ………5

PA 09-112, An Act Prohibiting the Acquisition or Use of Certain Parcels of Land as Ash Residue Disposal Areas and Concerning the Operation of a Food-Waste-to-Energy Plant ………………………………………………7

PA 09-135, An Act Clarifying Postclaims Underwriting …………………8

PA 09-139, An Act Concerning the Appointment of Family Support Magistrates ………………………………………………………………………9

PA 09-147, An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare
Partnership………………………………………………………………………10

PA 09-148, An Act Concerning the Establishment of the SustiNet
Plan…………………………………………………………………………………11

PA 09-151, An Act Establishing a Bi-State Long Island Sound Commission ………………………………………………………………………13

PA 09-157, An Act Concerning Access to Health and Nutritional Information in Restaurants ……………………………………………………13

PA 09-183, An Act Concerning the Standard Wage for Certain Connecticut Workers ……………………………………………………………14

PA 09-186, An Act Concerning the Programs and Activities of the Department of Transportation ………………………………………………15

PA 09-188, An Act Concerning Wellness Programs and Expansion of Health Insurance Coverage …………………………………………………16

PA 09-202, An Act Concerning a Tax Credit for Green Buildings ……17

PA 09-203, An Act Concerning the Conveyance of Certain Parcels of State Land ………………………………………………………………………17

PA 09-214, An Act Requiring Consensus Revenue Estimates …………18

PA 09-223, An Act Establishing a Correctional Staff Health and Safety Subcommittee of the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory
Commission………………………………………………………………………19

PA 09-238, An Act Concerning A Collinsville Hydroelectric Facility …20

PA 09-1, June Special Session, An Act Concerning the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2011, and Making Appropriations Therefore …………………………………………………………………………21

A vetoed act will not become law unless it is reconsidered and passed again by a two-thirds vote of each house of the General Assembly. The legislature is scheduled to meet for a veto session on July 20.
This report is in two sections: regular and June special sessions. It contains a brief summary of each act, the final vote tallies, and excerpts from the governor’s veto messages.

REGULAR SESSION

SA 09-15 — SB 1036
An Act Concerning the Powers of the Metropolitan District Commission to Sponsor Certain Projects

This act allows the Metropolitan District Commission (MDC), over the next 10 years, to sponsor (1) a water exhibit at the new Connecticut Science Center and (2) a water program at an unspecified location. The act allows MDC, the water and sewer authority for Hartford area towns, to establish charges not to exceed $1.5 million for the exhibit and $500,000 for the program, which will award competitive grants to nonprofit organizations. Before making any award, the MDC must submit a report to the Planning and Development Committee describing the award process.
Senate vote: 22 to 13 (June 3)
House vote: 147 to 4 (June 3)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“Allowing MDC to increase its charges to ratepayers simply so it can make charitable contributions to the Connecticut Science Center and other nonprofit entities not only sets bad precedent, but [it] creates a slippery slope which may lead to ratepayers bearing the cost of millions of dollars of charitable contributions. These are contributions which consumer have not authorized and are unable to contest… While making charitable contributions is always commendable, this is not the time to place additional financial burdens on the residents of MDC’s member towns.”

SA 09-16 — SB 1068
An Act Concerning Green Jobs

This act requires the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to apply for federal economic stimulus funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) and use the funds to establish a program to create green jobs and promote green energy and conservation. The program must (1) target investments in renewable energy research, development, and deployment; (2) promote the use of renewable energy in state buildings and nonprofit and educational institutions; and (3) include components that emphasize the use of the state's existing industries and examine the viability of other renewable industries. The program terminates once the stimulus funds are depleted.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (May 19)
House vote: 149 to 0 (June 3)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“This legislation is both unnecessary and inconsistent with the current state plan for applying for green jobs and green energy stimulus funds. . . .
“The Green Collar Jobs Council created by Executive Order No. 23 has already reviewed available ARRA green job grant opportunities and has recommended which entities should apply for such grants. . . .
“In particular, the Green Jobs Council… identified a list of lead applicants for each grant, including the Department of Labor, Connecticut Business and Industry Association, Energy Workforce Development Consortium and Community Colleges. With respect to energy-related stimulus funds, the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) has taken the lead. These entities, as opposed to [DECD], are the most well-suited to both apply for and receive federal stimulus monies related to green initiatives.”

PA 09-87 — sSB 922
An Act Concerning Affirmative Action and Contracting Procedures for the Metropolitan District of Hartford County

This act requires the MDC to comply with state policies governing hiring and promoting people and procuring goods and services. The MDC is a nonprofit municipal corporation operating largely under its own policies and procedures. The act requires MDC to comply with the same affirmative action laws that apply to state agencies, departments, boards, and commissions (i.e., agencies).
Under these laws, the attorney general or his designee must represent state agencies in discrimination complaints filed with the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) or the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). The act prohibits him or his designee from representing MDC in a discrimination complaint before these commissions.
The act also requires the State Contracting Standards Board (SCSB) to adopt regulations MDC must follow to procure goods and services. In doing so, it must consider the circumstances and factors that set MDC apart from state agencies.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (April 29)
House vote: 139 to 0 (May 19)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“The Metropolitan District Commission is a non-profit municipal corporation that provides potable water and sewerage services on a regional basis. It is not a state agency, department, board or commission. However this bill declares the MDC a state agency for purposes of affirmative action plans and discrimination complaints. While well intentioned in its goal of achieving greater diversity and oversight of alleged discrimination and contracting at the MDC, this statutory change is not the appropriate means to achieve such ends.
“If the legislature were allowed to declare any entity that it saw fit a “state agency” for certain purposes, who knows where such declarations would end. This precedent, carried to its natural consequence, would permit the legislature to declare any non-profit, municipality, or corporation a “state agency” when it simply disapproved of, disagreed with, or disliked the direction of the entity and wished to exercise greater control over its operations.
“Furthermore, this legislation places an unfunded mandate on the State. Pursuant to [CGS] Section 46a-68, the Department of Administrative Services (DAS) is required to investigate certain discrimination complaints involving state agencies, departments, boards and commissions. DAS believes that this new change will result in the need for one additional person to handle the increase in complaints expected from MDC. It also requires the Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities to review MDC’s affirmative action plan and provide training and technical assistance in plan development and implementation. Moreover, the bill requires that the Contracting Standards Board develop regulations particularly tailored to MDC’s purposes, taking into consideration circumstances and factors that are unique to the organization. Countless hours will be spent on promulgating such regulations, for a purpose which is truly not under the state’s purview. . . .”

PA 09-107 – HB 6578
An Act Concerning the Penalty for a Capital Felony

This act (1) eliminates the death penalty as a sentencing option for crimes committed starting on the act's effective date (upon passage), (2) renames the crime of capital felony as murder with special circumstances, and (3) makes the penalty for this new crime life imprisonment without the possibility of release. Under prior law, the penalty for a capital felony was either the death penalty or life imprisonment without the possibility of release.
The act makes a number of technical and conforming changes to apply most of the same rules that apply to capital felonies to murder with special circumstances, such as:
1. preserving biological evidence and records of evidence and judicial proceedings,
2. authorizing the court to allow the reading of a victim impact statement in court before imposing the sentence on the defendant,
3. choosing a jury or three-judge panel,
4. challenging potential jurors,
5. requiring testimony of at least two witnesses or their equivalent for a conviction, and
6. prohibiting medical or compassionate parole release.
Senate vote: 19 to 17 (May 22)
House vote: 90 to 56 (May 13)

Excerpt from the Governor’s veto message:
“The death penalty is, and ought to be, reserved for those who have committed crimes that are revolting to our humanity and civilized society.
“[It] sends a clear message to those who may contemplate such cold, calculated crimes. We will not tolerate those who have murdered in the most vile, dehumanizing fashion. We should not, will not, abide those who have killed for the sake of killing; to those who have taken a precious life and shattered the lives of many more.
“There is no doubt that the death penalty is a deterrent to those who contemplate such monstrous acts. The statistics supporting this fact, however, are not easily tabulated. How do we count the person who considered the consequences of the crime and walked away? We cannot, but we know that this occurs. We have a responsibility to act to prevent these heinous crimes and to ensure that criminals will not harm again.
“I also take note of the concerns expressed by some regarding the tremendous financial cost to the state, the perception that the death penalty is inconsistently sought for certain crimes, the lengthy appellate process that is involved and the roles that race, gender, and economics play when seeking the death penalty.
“These very questions, and more, were the basis of a death penalty study commissioned by P.A. 01-151 and analyzed in a comprehensive report submitted to the Legislature on January 8, 2003. The report made significant and thoughtful recommendations that have been largely ignored by the Legislature, including training for public defenders and prosecutors. The goal of the report is to ensure that each decision to seek the death penalty is based upon the facts and law applicable to the case and is set within a framework of consistent and even-handed application of the sentencing laws, with no consideration of arbitrary or impermissible factors such as the defendant’s race, ethnicity or religion.
“The co-chairmen of the legislature’s Judiciary Committee have asked that I submit a proposal for “fixing” the death penalty statute. I believe that the current law is workable and effective and I would propose that it not be changed. If the co-chairmen are seeking suggestions, however, I would urge them to review the above-referenced report, which has been largely ignored since its issuance.”

PA 09-112 — SB 3
An Act Prohibiting the Acquisition or Use of Certain Parcels of Land as Ash Residue Disposal Areas and Concerning the Operation of a Food-Waste-to-Energy Plant

This act prohibits the Connecticut Resources Recovery Authority or any other person or entity, regardless of any law to the contrary, from condemning, buying, leasing, accepting, taking title to, using, or otherwise acquiring certain parcels of land in Franklin and Windham for use as an ash residue disposal site.
It also prohibits the (1) Connecticut Siting Council from issuing a certificate of environmental compatibility and environmental need and (2) Department of Environmental Protection commissioner from issuing a solid waste permit to build or operate a food waste-to-energy plant in a distressed municipality of more than 100,000 people where a 10 million- to 15 million-gallon liquefied natural gas storage facility and a combustion turbine power plant of less than 100 megawatts are located, if the proposed plant would be located within two miles of one or more university regional campuses, hospitals, performing arts centers, churches, and schools. Only Waterbury meets these criteria.
Senate vote: 27 to 4 (May 19)
House vote: 95 to 51 (May 26)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“Current State law contains a comprehensive process for approval of such facilities, including mandated participation by state agencies including the Departments of Environmental Protection, Transportation and Public Health, the Siting Council and affected municipalities. . . . The purpose of this comprehensive process is to ensure that siting decisions are made in an objective and scientific manner, with due regard for protection of the environment and without political consideration or interference. This statutory framework has served us well and I see no reason why exceptions should be made. . . .
“Explicitly removing these projects from the established procedure is wrong-headed. It would establish a dangerous precedent and introduce a political element into the decision-making process. The Legislative and Executive branches of our state government have spent years developing and implementing this process, which includes notice, public comment, municipal participation, due diligence and appropriate oversight. For example, before an ash residue disposal area can be built in Franklin, a study must be conducted to determine the size of the aquifer below the site. This information then is used to determine whether the aquifer can provide a source of potable water, and whether it is large enough to filter the discharge from the facility.
“If the site can potentially serve as a source of potable water, the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will not allow the facility to be built on that site. The CRRA has not yet submitted an application for the Franklin facility.
“Let me be clear: My veto should in no way be interpreted as support for building an ash landfill in Franklin. I remain resolutely unconvinced that such a landfill is needed at all, particularly with an already operational ash landfill just a few miles away – a landfill with at least fifteen years of useful life remaining . . . .
“The underlying concerns that I have expressed above with respect to the Franklin project apply as well to the Waterbury project. The Chestnut Hill BioEnergy facility should receive the same level of analysis and vetting that the Franklin facility and all other projects that are subject to the siting process receive.”

PA 09-135 — sHB 6531
An Act Clarifying Postclaims Underwriting

This act limits a health insurer’s or HMO’s investigation of a claimant’s suspected undisclosed preexisting condition. It also makes an (1) insurance producer or agent who completes or helps to complete an insurance application and (2) insured who signs the application or does not object to information submitted on, with, or omitted from it, jointly and severally liable for claims that result from any information the producer or agent knowingly omitted or misrepresented.
By law, in order to rescind, cancel, or limit an insured’s coverage, an insurer or HMO must have the insurance commissioner's approval. Prior law required an insurer or HMO also to have conducted a thorough medical underwriting process based on information the insured submitted on, with, or omitted from, an insurance application. The act maintains this underwriting requirement for coverage that has been in effect for at least one year. But it removes it for coverage that has been in effect for less than one year, including short-term health insurance issued on a non-renewable basis for six months or less. (By law, an insurer or HMO cannot rescind, cancel, or limit any coverage that has been in effect for more than two years.)
The act defines a “rescission” as an insurer’s or HMO’s termination of an insurance policy, contract, evidence of coverage, or certificate as of the date of its inception on the basis of (1) the discovery of a preexisting condition pursuant to an investigation conducted in accordance with the act or (2) a material misstatement, omission, or material misrepresentation of fact on an insurance application by the insured that the insurer or HMO relied upon to its detriment. A “cancellation” is the unilateral termination of a policy, contract, evidence of coverage, or certificate. A “limitation” is a coverage restriction or refusal for an existing or preexisting medical condition.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (May 29)
House vote: 112 to 36 (April 29)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“The act will increase the likelihood of insurance fraud, which raises costs for all of us. Specifically, certain provisions of P.A. 09-135 prohibit companies from rescinding, cancelling, or limiting coverage on the basis of anything written on the application.
“If consumers know that they will not be held to account for the information supplied . . . in support of their insurance application, what incentive do they have to be truthful – particularly when they have a costly chronic illness or a pre-existing condition? While it is true that insurers are in the business of risk-taking, there is an underlying assumption that they understand the extent of the risk they are insuring. By prohibiting companies from rescinding, cancelling, or limiting coverage based on the information contained in the application, the legislature has signaled that there is no meaningful penalty for failing to be truthful. If people know that they do not have to be truthful on their insurance applications and still have their conditions covered, the incidence of insurance fraud will increase.
“[It] weakens competition in the individual market making it more difficult for consumers to find affordable health insurance.
“If we, as a state, tell insurance companies who underwrite individual policies that they cannot rely on their insureds to be truthful in describing medical conditions on the application, they will simply make the business decision not to write policies here. And, who can blame them? Public Act 09-135 essentially requires them to take on all of the risk without the benefit of knowing whether the insured is being truthful. This makes it virtually impossible for the company to underwrite or price the risk appropriately. The result will be fewer insurers operating here and fewer choices for Connecticut consumers.”

PA 09-139 — sHB 6700
An Act Concerning the Appointment of Family Support Magistrates

This act requires the legislature to approve family support magistrate (FSM) appointments. Prior law required the governor to appoint FSMs for three-year terms. Beginning January 1, 2010, the act instead requires that the governor nominate FSMs for four-year terms subject to the legislature’s approval. FSMs whose terms have not expired as of December 31, 2009 continue to serve until (1) their terms expire and (2) their successors are appointed or their nomination fails. The governor retains the power to remove an FSM for cause before his or her term expires.
Senate vote: 25 to 10 (May 29)
House vote: 108 to 36 (May 7)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“The Connecticut legislature enacted PA 86-359 authorizing the governor to appoint Family Support Magistrates to preside over child and spousal support actions and paternity actions, including those under the Uniform Reciprocal Enforcement of Support Act. The federal government reimburses the state approximately two-thirds of the cost and the state specifically created the magistrates as administrative positions, different from judges, in order to qualify for federal reimbursement.
“This system has been in place for nearly 23 years. For 23 years governors have appointed family support magistrates to serve our most vulnerable residents in this specialized area of law. . . . In fact, the system has worked so well that throughout the years the legislature increased the number of family support magistrates form the original six to the nine that serve today. This is no reason to needlessly alter this system.
“Furthermore, this bill represents a clear intrusion on the authority of the executive branch.”

PA 09-147 — HB 6582
An Act Establishing the Connecticut Healthcare Partnership

This act requires the comptroller to convert the state employee health insurance plan, excluding dental, to a self-insured arrangement beginning July 1, 2009. (Pharmacy benefits are already self-insured.) It authorizes her to (1) merge, on or after January 1, 2010, any health benefit plans she arranges into the self-insured state plan and (2) contract with companies to provide administrative services for the self-insured state plan.
The act requires the comptroller to offer employee and retiree coverage under the self-insured state plan to (1) nonstate public employers, which includes municipalities, beginning January 1, 2010; (2) municipal-related and nonprofit employers beginning July 1, 2010; and (3) small employers beginning January 1, 2011. She must do this (1) after the General Assembly receives written consent from the State Employees' Bargaining Agent Coalition and (2) subject to specified requirements and conditions.
The act requires a health care actuary to (1) review certain employer applications for coverage under the state plan and (2) certify to the comptroller in writing if a group will shift a significantly disproportionate share of its employees' medical risks to the state plan. If so, the comptroller must decline the group coverage.
The act requires the state to charge employers participating in the state plan the same premium rates the state pays, except it may adjust the rate for a small employer to reflect its group characteristics.
Senate vote: 21 to 12 (May 30)
House vote: 109 to 36 (May 20)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“This bill seeks to attract a number of new employee groups to the state employee plan – nearly all of whom already have health insurance, some of whom will be unable to afford the cost of the plan and all of whom may jeopardize the favorable ratings and costs of the current state plan. That plan is financially supported by state taxpayers and insures approximately 98,000 active and retired state employees and their families.
“Most municipalities and other public employees already have health insurance. The attempt to include these employees in the state pool does nothing to address the issue of access to insurance for those who do not already have it and may in fact raise false hopes regarding affordability.
“Although including employees of small businesses in the plan appears to address the issue of access, this plan is simply too expensive for the typical small employer and thus unlikely to increase the number of residents who have health care insurance. I note that nine local chambers of commerce – whose membership is largely composed of small businesses – oppose this bill.
“Although the Partnership bill has changes somewhat from last year, it still retains its most problematic component – a significant cost to the state. This is the direct result of pooling an unknown employer risk group with the state employees’ health insurance plan and prematurely converting such plan to a self-insured model. Those who most likely would be attracted to the pool would be those whose claims experience – the main driver of health care costs – is worse than that of the current state employee pool. When the experience of these new members is averaged across the entire pool, it will drastically increase premiums for the state and all those who have joined the pool.
“This is a potentially fatal flaw, since the bill requires that premium payments remitted by these newly pooled employee groups ‘be the same as those paid by the state.’”

PA 09-148 — HB 6600
An Act Concerning the Establishment of the SustiNet Plan

This act establishes a nine-member SustiNet Health Partnership Board of Directors that must make legislative recommendations, by January 1, 2011, on the details and implementation of the “SustiNet Plan,” a self-insured health care delivery plan. The act specifies that these recommendations must address:
1. establishment of a public authority or other entity with the power to contract with insurers and health care providers, develop health care infrastructure (“medical homes”), set reimbursement rates, create advisory committees, and encourage the use of health information technology;
2. provisions for the phased-in offering of the SustiNet Plan to state employees and retirees, HUSKY A and B beneficiaries, people without employer sponsored insurance (ESI), people with unaffordable ESI, small and large employers, and others ;
3. guidelines for development of a model benefits package; and
4. public outreach and methods of identifying uninsured citizens.
The board must establish a number of separate committees to address and make recommendations concerning health information technology, medical homes, clinical care and safety guidelines, and preventive care and improved health outcomes.
Senate vote: 23 to 12 (May 30)
House vote: 107 to 35 (May 20)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“SustiNet’s objective is health care for everyone, a laudable goal and one I share. We cannot, however, afford to proceed with this plan given its financial implications.
“[OPM] has estimated that the SustiNet plan will likely cost approximately $1 billion per year. The nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) put the price of allowing all uninsured adults with incomes less than 300% of the federal poverty limit (FPL) into HUSKY A or B, as provided in this bill, at $530 million. As staggering as this figure is, it does not reflect the costs for those with insurance whose employers would be encouraged to drop their plans, which could easily double this cost. These costs also do not reflect the subsidies for those whose income is less than 400% FPL . . . or the major adverse selection impacts that would be experienced.
“The bill establishes a nine-member board of directors to make recommendations for implementing the SustiNet Plan. The bill prematurely prescribes the approach to health care reform to be taken by the board prior to full analysis of its costs and effectiveness in reducing the number of uninsured.”
“A national debate is now occurring that will determine the fundamental approach that our country will take in regard to health care reform. . . . While it is possible that the reforms that will be enacted in Washington will be complementary to what this bill seeks to accomplish, it is equally possible that they will negatively impact or even invalidate parts of the SustiNet Plan. Rather than positioning our state to capitalize on the federal reforms, this bill presumes the outcome of the national debate.”

PA 09-151 – SB 1078
An Act Establishing a Bi-State Long Island Sound Commission

This act creates a Bi-State Long Island Sound Commission, and it limits the responsibilities of the existing Bi-State Long Island Sound Committee. The commission takes effect when New York adopts similar legislation.
The commission must:
1. review and consider major environmental, ecological, and energy issues involving (a) Long Island Sound and (b) the lower Hudson River Valley as it affects the Sound;
2. seek consensus on strategies and polices on these issues; and
3. recommend administrative and legislative action to implement the strategies and policies.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (June 1)
House vote: 145 to 0 (May 27)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“This legislation is duplicative of several mechanisms that currently exist to review environmental, ecological, and energy issues involving Long Island Sound. For example, there is a Bi-State Long Island Sound Marine Resources Committee established pursuant to [CGS] Sec. 25-139 . . . , three Long Island Sound Advisory Councils established pursuant to [CGS] Sec. 25-154, the Long Island Sound Assembly established pursuant to [CGS] Sec. 25-155, along with task forces created as necessary by executive order.
“. . . the statutory creation of another commission is not the answer, especially when the existing statutory committees and task forces created by executive order are more than adequate.

PA 09-157 — sSB 1080
An Act Concerning Access to Health and Nutritional Information in Restaurants

This act requires chain restaurants to disclose on their standard printed menus or menu boards total calorie counts for standard menu items. The Department of Public Health must adopt regulations incorporating the calorie information requirements into regularly scheduled inspections of such restaurants.
Senate vote: 29 to 6 (May 22)
House vote: 89 to 60 (June 1)

Excerpt from the Governor’s veto message:
“There is no doubt that there is a growing obesity epidemic in this country and that childhood obesity is on the rise. . . . The solution however, is not nutritional labeling in chain restaurants.
“There has been a growing and troubling tendency by some to legislate nearly every aspect of our lives and society, including personal responsibility. Such legislation always comes at a cost to the taxpayer and to individual freedom.”
“Each one of these laws comes at a price for our businesses and our state. Laws are nothing without enforcement, and we are asking our state Department of Public Health and local health districts to inspect, report upon, and – if necessary – fine the establishments, with no extra resources afforded to them to carry out such duties. This is hardly the economic climate in which to further burden our businesses and state agencies.”

PA 09-183 — sHB 6502
An Act Concerning the Standard Wage for Certain Connecticut Workers

This act creates a new method for determining the hourly wage and benefits for employees under the standard wage law, which governs compensation for employees of private contractors who do certain types of work in state buildings. Under the act, such employees hired after July 1, 2009 will receive the same hourly wages and benefits as employees working under the union agreement covering the same type of work for the largest number of hourly nonsupervisory employees, as long as it covers at least 500 employees, in Hartford County. Those already working for standard wage employers on or before July 1, 2009 will be paid an hourly wage based on the current standard wage law, but after July 1, 2009 their benefits will be the same as those working under the Hartford County union contract for the same type of work. This creates two tiers for hourly pay while keeping all employees at the same level of benefits.
Senate vote: 30 to 6 (June 2)
House vote: 112 to 35 (May 13)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“This legislation creates an exception to current law and provides varying wages and benefits to certain employees of contractors at a potentially significant cost to the state. The law mandates that a select group of employees will be paid union contract wages and benefits, instead of the Department of Labor’s determined standard wage rates, and creates two distinct classes of janitors – those hired before July 1, 2009 and those hired after such date.
“By removing the link of certain employees’ wages and benefits to the Department of Labor’s standard wage rates, we are exposing the state to an unknown and unmanageable level of cost. There will be an entire subset of services whose price will be dictated by privately conducted union negotiations and contracts to which the state is not a party. Both groups of janitors perform the same critical services for the state and therefore should be paid the same wage rates, regardless of when an individual was hired. I cannot sanction wages and benefits that are determined completely outside of the state’s control and that have not been included in the budget for the next biennium.”

PA 09-186 — HB 6649
An Act Concerning the Programs and Activities of the Department of Transportation

This act makes numerous changes to laws governing the operations of the Department of Transportation (DOT). Among many provisions, it:
1. prohibits a town from terminating, reorganizing, or modifying a port authority or port district without the DOT commissioner's written consent;
2. requires DOT to (a) develop a plan to implement zero-emission buses throughout the state and identify locations for hydrogen refueling stations and (b) analyze the potential impact of establishing electronic tolls in Connecticut;
3. designates commemorative or memorial names for 17 road segments and 11 bridges, designates informational signs for eight destinations, and modifies or changes several other memorial names; and
4. makes numerous other changes to DOT programs, policies, or studies.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (June 2)
House vote: 143 to 2 (June 1)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“I have discussed this bill with the transportation commissioner and none of [its] provisions . . . are critical to the daily operation of our Department of Transportation (DOT). This bill would require the department to erect numerous signs naming segments of roads and bridges. In recent years there has been an incredible proliferation of signs naming roads, overpasses, bridges and other parts of our infrastructure. . . . Obviously there will be a cost associated with installing and maintaining each of these signs. . . . The erection of these signs is an unnecessary and frivolous expense that we simply cannot afford.
“The bill prevents a municipality from terminating any [port] authority or district without the approval of the transportation commissioner. Since the commissioner’s approval is not necessary for the establishment of such authority or district, it is incongruous that his approval is required for termination. We have historically allowed municipalities to form, modify, and terminate various types of special districts without state interference. This process appears to have worked successfully since its inception and I see no reason to change the process now.”

PA 09-188 — sHB 5021
An Act Concerning Wellness Programs and Expansion of Health Insurance Coverage

This act (1) requires group health insurers to offer health wellness programs that provide insured people participation incentives and (2) allows the insurance commissioner, in consultation with the public health commissioner, to adopt regulations regarding such programs. It (1) requires health insurance policies to cover, subject to specified conditions, prosthetic devices and human leukocyte antigen (bone marrow) testing and (2) prohibits insurers from charging an insured person for a second or subsequent colonoscopy a physician orders for him or her in a policy year.
The act expands the insurance coverage required for (1) medically necessary ostomy appliances and supplies, increasing the annual benefit from $1,000 to $5,000; (2) children's hearing aids, requiring coverage for children under age 19, instead of under age 13; and (3) wigs, requiring coverage of at least $350 annually for people diagnosed with alopecia areata (a type of hair loss, which is often temporary in nature), excluding androgenetic alopecia (i.e., female- or male-pattern baldness), in addition to people with hair loss due to chemotherapy, for whom the benefit is already law.
Senate vote: 25 to 11 (June 3)
House vote: 98 to 49 (May 27)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“Each of the provisions has merit and would provide additional benefits to people with serious medical conditions. Each, however, also will have a significant cost for taxpayers, policyholders, and employers in future years.
“The legislature’s non-partisan OFA has stated that the bill will not impact the state employee and retiree health insurance plan until July 1, 2012, when the contract is renewed. At that point however, OFA notes, ‘the FY 12 cost of these mandates could be significant.’ ” OFA also addresses the potential cost to municipalities, noting that ‘the coverage requirements may result in significant increased premium costs when municipalities enter into new health insurance contracts on or after January 1, 2010.’ The bill therefore imposes a costly unfunded mandate upon municipalities. These mandates also apply to all health insurance policies provided by employers and to individual policies.”

PA 09-202 – SB 1033
An Act Concerning a Tax Credit for Green Buildings

This act establishes a tax credit for taxpayers who build green buildings, i.e., buildings that meet certain energy and environmental standards. The credits can be taken against the corporation business, insurance company, air carriers, railroad company, utility company, and income taxes. The act limits the credit for all projects at $25 million dollars.
The act specifies the projects and their costs that are eligible for the credit. The act entitles eligible projects to a base credit that increases with the project’s rating. It allows additional credits for mixed-use projects and those located in certain areas. Taxpayers can claim only 25% of the credit in any tax years, with the remainder allowed to be carried forward for up to five years. The credits are transferrable and assignable.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (June 2)
House vote: 143 to 4 (June 3)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“While the goal of this bill is . . . certainly one that I support, the fiscal reality is the state cannot afford a new tax credit at this time which will result in lost revenue and a larger budget deficit. The bill would cap tax credits at $25 million, but that is $25 million the state simply cannot afford given the continuing national economic recession.
“A further concern is that the tax credit could be transferred and even entities without tax liability could sell the credits to taxpayers with a liability. That would guarantee a fiscal impact on the state’s General Fund.”

PA 09-203 — HB 6695
An Act Concerning the Conveyance of Certain Parcels of State Land

This act:
1. authorizes conveyances of state property to Bridgeport, East Lyme, Putnam, South Windsor, Stamford, and Trumbull;
2. amends prior conveyances in Greenwich, Griswold, Middletown, New Britain, New Haven, Norwalk, and Windham;
3. requires (a) the DOT to convey an easement to Danbury; (b) the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to lease property to Ridgefield and (c) the Department of Public Works (DPW) to acquire title from Torrington for a portion of Clark Street, grant an easement to Norwich at Three Rivers Community College, and transfer an easement in Enfield;
4. allows DEP to lease or authorize occupancy to preserve the Penfield Lighthouse;
5. exempts the sale of a particular parcel of electric company real property in Rocky Hill from the law that requires the company to use sale proceeds to reduce its stranded costs; and
6. makes other changes regarding the conveyance of state property or uses of such property.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (June 3)
House vote: 145 to 3 (June 3)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“On behalf of Connecticut taxpayers we must maximize the utility of each valuable asset which the state owns. Indeed, the Democratic budget calls for the state to raise more than $112 million in the 2010 fiscal year from the sale of state assets. In light of this requirement, I believe we must examine each of the parcels conveyed in this bill to determine if we can profitably sell any or all of them. Significant assets such as these should not be conveyed separately, outside of the state’s budget. It will be difficult enough to raise $112 million from the sale of state assets; to attempt to do so while at the same time giving away potentially valuable parcels of state land would be irresponsible.
“Included in HB 6695 are instances of land swaps, sales for less than fair market value of property, and leases for one dollar a year. While certain of these arrangements may well be ultimately in the best interest of Connecticut’s citizens, each must be given particular scrutiny to ensure that they are providing the most value to Connecticut – whether in monetary revenue, preservation of open space, or economic development.”

PA 09-214 — SB 1162
An Act Requiring Consensus Revenue Estimates

This act requires the OPM secretary and the OFA director to agree on and issue consensus revenue estimates each year by October 15th and to issue any necessary consensus revisions of those estimates in January and April. The estimates must cover the current biennium and the three following years. If the two are unable to issue consensus estimates, the act requires the comptroller to issue the consensus estimate, which must either equal one of the two offices’ estimates or fall between them.
Under the act, the consensus estimates must (1) serve as the basis for the governor's proposed budget and for the revenue statement included in the final budget act passed by the legislature indicating that the budget is balanced and (2) be included the annual fiscal accountability reports submitted to the legislature's fiscal committees each November.
If the estimates forecast deficits or deficit increases exceeding certain levels, the act requires the governor and the legislature’s fiscal committees to take specified actions to address the estimates.
Senate vote: 23 to 12 (May 28)
House vote: 100 to 35 (May 30)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:

“Revenue estimates have traditionally been developed and adopted by the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee . . . based upon input received from the [OPM] secretary and the [OFA] director. This process has been successfully utilized during my entire tenure in public service, a period that includes the boom times of the mid-1980s as well as the tumultuous introduction of the state income tax in 1991 and the financial instability that occurred after the devastating attacks on our nation on September 11, 2001. I see no reason why this process, which has served us so well in good times and bad, cannot serve us equally well in 2009 and beyond.
“The bill requires that if the secretary and the director cannot agree on a consensus revenue estimate, the comptroller will have 10 days to analyze their respective estimates and issue a consensus revenue estimate. Similarly, with respect to revisions to consensus revenue estimates, if OPM and OFA have been unable to agree upon revised estimates, the comptroller is given five days to produce a revised estimate. If OPM and OFA, with their years of experience in estimating revenue, have been unable to agree upon a consensus estimate, it is naïve to believe that the comptroller’s office, which has never previously been involved in this process, is going to be able to reach a consensus figure within these timeframes.

PA 09-223 — HB 6684
An Act Establishing a Correctional Staff Health and Safety Subcommittee of the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission

This act requires the Criminal Justice Policy Advisory Commission to establish a subcommittee on correctional staff health and safety. It must be composed of the (1) commissioners of correction, public safety, and mental health and addiction services, or their designees; (2) eight persons appointed one each by the chairpersons and ranking members of the Judiciary and Public Safety and Security committees; (3) one representative from each of the three local chapters of labor organizations representing correction officers, appointed by the local chapter; and (4) one representative from each of the labor organizations representing hazardous duty staff of the Department of Correction (DOC), appointed by the labor organization.
The act requires the subcommittee to review DOC’s policies and procedures on staff health and safety. The review must include the manner in which:
1. inmate assaults are investigated, classified, and assigned points;
2. data on inmate assaults is collected and compiled; and
3. data on inmate assaults is reported to people and agencies outside the department.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (June 3)
House vote: 144 to 0 (May 7)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“This bill is well intentioned, but flawed. The composition of the subcommittee is set forth in the bill, and, although it includes the commissioners of correction, public safety, and mental health and addiction services, it makes no provision for gubernatorial appointments. I have repeatedly said that meaningful, substantive discussions on any policy issue can only occur when all voices are heard. True reform requires all stakeholders to be present at the table. This bill is woefully lacking in that regard.
“Some have questioned the manner in which inmate assaults have been reported by the Department of Correction, suggesting that the severity of the assaults has somehow been downplayed. The allegation is significant. It demands that everyone be equally represented at deliberations, from management to unions, from legislative appointments to gubernatorial appointments. We must work as one.”

PA 09-238 — SB 586
An Act Concerning A Collinsville Hydroelectric Facility

This act authorizes the DEP commissioner to execute an agreement with Avon, Burlington, and Canton that would allow them to install, operate, and maintain a hydroelectric generating facility at the Collinsville Dam.
Senate vote: 36 to 0 (June 3)
House vote: 147 to 2 (June 3)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“The purpose of this bill is to authorize the Commissioner of Environmental Protection to enter into an agreement with the towns of Avon, Burlington, and Canton that would allow the towns to install, operate, and maintain a hydroelectric generating facility at the Collinsville Dam. . . .
“Unfortunately, the amendment that would have accomplished this result was not drafted as a ‘strike everything’ amendment. As a result, the bill passed containing two sections each of which authorizes the commissioner to enter into an agreement to allow the installation and operation of the generating facility. These two sections require that the agreement contain different and incompatible provisions. Because of the conflict between the two sections, the bill is unworkable, and I hereby veto it for that reason.”

JUNE SPECIAL SESSION

PA 09-1, JUNE SPECIAL SESSION — SB 1801
An Act Concerning the State Budget for the Biennium Ending June 30, 2011, and Making Appropriations Therefore

This act appropriates $17.5 billion for FY 10 and $18 billion for FY 11 from the General Fund for state agencies and programs. It also increases taxes, transfers funds to the General Fund from special state funds and accounts, and makes other revenue changes to produce a net revenue gain of $3.0 billion in FY 10 and $3.12 billion in FY 11. It provides for $17.5 billion in total revenue for FY 10 and $18 billion for FY 11. Finally, it authorizes state borrowing to cover the FY 09 General Fund deficit.
Senate vote: 19 to 16 (June 25)
House vote: 91 to 48 (June 26)

Excerpt from the governor’s veto message:
“The flaws and failures of the tax and spending proposals contained in Senate Bill 1801 are manifest. It is neither balanced nor remotely realistic in its assumed ‘savings’ and ‘spending cuts.’
“Senate Bill 1801 calls for $2.5 billion in new taxes on the people and employers of Connecticut in the midst of the greatest global economic downturn since the Great Depression: exactly the wrong move at exactly the wrong time.
“The ‘savings’ and ‘cuts’ proposed in this budget are largely unachievable. Senate Bill 1801 proposes unidentified cuts in state agency expenses of $70 million, without providing any detail as to how these cuts will be made – especially in light of the legislative majority’s fierce and continuing resistance to serious program cuts.
“In addition, Senate Bill 1801 calls for the state to raise more than $112 million in revenue from the “sale of state assets” – again, without details, except to task OPM and the Treasurer with generating a list of items to be sold.
“The bill also proposes to close two state prisons – but does not identify the prisons or make any provisions for dealing with the prisoners who may be held there now.
“Senate Bill 1801 fails to account for major expenses. There is no funding for the raises contained in three recent arbitration awards the General Assembly allowed to become final – a $42 million oversight. Even more shockingly, there is no funding whatsoever for the Department of Transportation or the Department of Motor Vehicles.
“The legislation is therefore incomplete and built upon phony cuts and phantom accounting.”

JM:ts

Want to Know More About how California Communities Go at Global Warming? Read on!

2009-07-14T13:35:00.002-04:00

The National Resources Defense Council and the California League of Conservation Voters recently released a guide to SB 375. "Communities Tackle Global Warming: A Guide to California's SB 375"

Since the passage of SB 375 in late 2008, local officials, planners, and others have struggled to understand exactly how it will be applied. The bill is notoriously complex, but this new document offers a helpful summary of the bill and its key elements.
Click here to download the guide (pdf, 893 KB)

SeeClickFix for Zoning Reform

2009-07-13T10:03:00.003-04:00

SeeClickFix.com is a website that enables citizens to communicate with your neighbors and community leaders about pot holes, dangerous intersections, graffiti, etc.

You can also use it to show places like the one pictured that would benefit from revised zoning, new compact, mixed use development, more street trees, more frequent bus service, etc.

SeeClickFix is an exciting tool. Give it a try.

Transit Rate Hike Hearings

2009-07-12T17:51:00.001-04:00

The Connecticut Department of Transportation has scheduled a batch of hearings on the Governor's proposed transit far hikes. To find a hearing near you.

NASA Releases new Maps Showing Thinning Arctic Sea Ice

2009-07-12T15:58:00.004-04:00

If we're going to mitigate the impacts of global warming, we have to reduce greenhouse gases. To reach meaningful reductions, we need to conserve energy, switch to alternative fuels, drive more efficient vehicles, and implement Smart Growth strategies.

In Connecticut, that means significantly changing where and how we develop by reducing our reliance on the property tax and the fiscal zoning it impels; encouraging cities and towns to collaborate on economic development, transportation and land use policies; modernizing zoning to allow mixed use, higher density development in town centers and near transit; and investing strategically in transit, transit oriented development, affordable housing, brownfield clean up and reuse, and preserving priority open space, farmland and historic properties. We have no time to waste. To find out how to help, visit 1000 Friends of Connecticut today. Recently, NASA reported the following.

PASADENA, Calif. - Arctic sea ice thinned dramatically between the winters of 2004 and 2008, with thin seasonal ice replacing thick older ice as the dominant type for the first time on record. The new results, based on data from a NASA Earth-orbiting spacecraft, provide further evidence for the rapid, ongoing transformation of the Arctic's ice cover.

Scientists from NASA and the University of Washington in Seattle conducted the most comprehensive survey to date using observations from NASA's Ice, Cloud and land Elevation Satellite, known as ICESat, to make the first basin-wide estimate of the thickness and volume of the Arctic Ocean's ice cover. Ron Kwok of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, Calif., led the research team, which published its findings July 7 in the Journal of Geophysical Research-Oceans.

The Arctic ice cap grows each winter as the sun sets for several months and intense cold ensues. In the summer, wind and ocean currents cause some of the ice naturally to flow out of the Arctic, while much of it melts in place. But not all of the Arctic ice melts each summer; the thicker, older ice is more likely to survive. Seasonal sea ice usually reaches about 2 meters (6 feet) in thickness, while multi-year ice averages 3 meters (9 feet).

See the graphics and read the full article here.

Build on Economic Strengths: Invest in Downtown Revitalization

2009-07-02T09:24:00.002-04:00

From the Restoring Prosperity July 2009 Newsletter

The Problem: The forces of urban sprawl can often divert resources away from city centers and cause downtowns to suffer economically. This process not only hurts the immediate downtown, but also the health of the region.

The Solution: Invest in multi-pronged approaches to downtown revitalization, taking advantage of the synergistic benefits of historic preservation, mixed-use development, improved public transportation, and local business development. Take steps to make downtown public spaces attractive and safe.

Case Study

State: New Jersey

Policy: Starting in 1998, Newark's neighborhood planning process generated a revitalization plan for the area, which includes the Lincoln Park and Coast historic neighborhoods, in order to combat its slow decline. That neighborhood plan articulated a vision of an arts and cultural district that would include artist live-work spaces, mixed-use buildings, community programs, historic preservation, a Museum of African American Music, and restoration of Newark Symphony Hall, all using green building techniques. The Lincoln Park/Coast Cultural District (LPCCD) emerged from that process in 2002 as an organization dedicated to implementing the neighborhood plan, and the Newark Municipal Council adopted the plan in 2005. LPCCD is planning to build 300 "green" units, including townhouses and condos, over four years. These will be targeted to a variety of income levels, so that the housing is accessible to current residents as well as new residents interested in green buildings. LPCCD also created the Green-Collar Apprenticeship Program (GreenCAP), which puts local residents to work on LPCCD's construction projects while giving them both traditional union apprenticeships in HVAC, electrical work, and plumbing and specific training in green construction techniques. The first class, with 30 participants, started work in spring 2008.

More info:
http://www.policylink.org/ToBeStrongAgain.pdf

State Moves get Proactive on State-Owned Farmland

2009-07-02T09:02:00.003-04:00

The Governor has signed into law a bill that requires the Farmland Advisory Board to review any plans for the sale of state-owned farmland. See the text of the bill. The Southbury Training School is owned by the DDS and sits on 1600 acres in Southbury. It is the largest farm owned by the state.

Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy -- Could we Need a Strong Compass More?

2009-07-01T15:04:00.002-04:00

It used to be that Connecticut was wealthy enough it could get away with a little sloppiness in its economic development policies and programs. Well, that’s just not true anymore. Our resources are limited. Our challenges are formidable. And time is short.

To begin to shift trends, 1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut released a comprehensive set of growth and development policy recommendations in Developing Connecticut’s Economic Future in 2007. Some of those recommendations have since been adopted into Connecticut law, including a recommendation that the State Department of Economic and Community Development prepare and regularly update a Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy. The strategy will include measurable goals for where we want to be in five, ten, fifteen and twenty years and identify ways to track progress toward meeting our goals. (I’ve pasted the relevant text of the bill below.) That plan is due to be delivered to Governor M. Jodi Rell today. Governor Rell has two months to review the plan, it will be in effect when it’s approved or sixty dates after it’s been submitted to the Governor.

We needed a comprehensive economic development strategy when the bill was passed, but we had no idea what temblors our economy would experience between then and today. Do we ever need a strong compass now!

Join 1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut at our Annual Meeting, July 21st from 5 to 7 PM, at the Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford. We’ve invited DECD Commissioner Joan McDonald to give us an overview of the Economic Development Strategy she submits to the Governor today. We’ll also be honoring Hartford Courant Columnist and Editorial Board member, Tom Condon, our first Smart Growth Champ!

All are welcome. Space is limited. Please RSVP.

Substitute House Bill No. 7090
Public Act No. 07-239
Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) On or before July 1, 2009,
and every five years thereafter, the Commissioner of Economic and
Community Development, within available appropriations, shall
prepare an economic strategic plan for the state in consultation with
the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, the
Commissioners of Environmental Protection and Transportation, the
Labor Commissioner, the executive directors of the Connecticut
Housing Finance Authority, the Connecticut Development Authority,
the Connecticut Innovations, Inc., the Commission on Culture and
Tourism and the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities
Authority, and the president of the Office of Workforce
Competitiveness, or their respective designees, and any other agencies
the Commissioner of Economic and Community Development deems
appropriate.
(b) In developing the plan, the Commissioner of Economic and
Community Development shall:

(1) Ensure that the plan is consistent with (A) the text and locational
guide map of the state plan of conservation and development, adopted
pursuant to chapter 297 of the general statutes, (B) the long-range state
housing plan, adopted pursuant to section 8-37t of the general statutes,
and (C) the transportation strategy adopted pursuant to section 13b-
57g of the general statutes;

(2) Consult regional councils of governments, regional planning
organizations, regional economic development agencies, interested
state and local officials, entities involved in economic and community
development, stakeholders and business, economic, labor, community
and housing organizations;

(3) Consider (A) regional economic, community and housing
development plans, and (B) applicable state and local workforce
investment strategies;

(4) Assess and evaluate the economic development challenges and
opportunities of the state and against the economic development
competitiveness of other states and regions; and

(5) Host regional forums to provide for public involvement in the
planning process.

(c) The strategic plan required under this section shall include, but
not be limited to, the following:

(1) A review and evaluation of the economy of the state. Such
review and evaluation shall include, but not be limited to, a sectoral
analysis, housing market and housing affordability analysis, labor
market and labor quality analysis, demographic analysis and include
historic trend analysis and projections;

(2) A review and analysis of factors, issues and forces that impact or
impede economic development and responsible growth in Connecticut
and its constituent regions. Such factors, issues or forces shall include,
but not be limited to, transportation, including, but not limited to,
commuter transit, rail and barge freight, technology transfer,
brownfield remediation and development, health care delivery and
costs, early education, primary education, secondary and post
secondary education systems and student performance, business
regulation, labor force quality and sustainability, social services costs
and delivery systems, affordable and workforce housing cost and
availability, land use policy, emergency preparedness, taxation,
availability of capital and energy costs and supply;

(3) Identification and analysis of economic clusters that are growing
or declining within the state;

(4) An analysis of targeted industry sectors in the state that (A)
identifies those industry sectors that are of current or future
importance to the growth of the state's economy and to its global
competitive position, (B) identifies what those industry sectors need
for continued growth, and (C) identifies, those industry sectors current
and potential impediments to growth;

(5) A review and evaluation of the economic development structure
in the state, including, but not limited to, (A) a review and analysis of
the past and current economic, community and housing development
structures, budgets and policies, efforts and responsibilities of its
constituent parts in Connecticut; and (B) an analysis of the
performance of the current economic, community and housing
development structure, and its individual constituent parts, in meeting
its statutory obligations, responsibilities and mandates and their
impact on economic development and responsible growth in
Connecticut;

(6) Establishment and articulation of a vision for Connecticut that
identifies where the state should be in five, ten, fifteen and twenty
years;

(7) Establishment of clear and measurable goals and objectives for
the state and regions, to meet the short and long-term goals established
under this section and provide clear steps and strategies to achieve
said goals and objectives, including, but not limited to, the following:
(A) The promotion of economic development and opportunity, (B) the
fostering of effective transportation access and choice including the use
of airports and ports for economic development, (C) enhancement and
protection of the environment, (D) maximization of the effective
development and use of the workforce consistent with applicable state
or local workforce investment strategy, (E) promotion of the use of
technology in economic development, including access to high-speed
telecommunications, and (F) the balance of resources through sound
management of physical development;

(8) Prioritization of goals and objectives established under this
section;

(9) Establishment of relevant measures that clearly identify and
quantify (A) whether a goal and objective is being met at the state,
regional, local and private sector level, and (B) cause and effect
relationships, and provides a clear and replicable measurement

(10) Recommendations on how the state can best achieve goals
under the strategic plan and provide cost estimates for implementation
of the plan and the projected return on investment for those areas; and

(11) Any other responsible growth information that the
commissioner deems appropriate.

(d) On or before July 1, 2009, and every five years thereafter, the
Commissioner of Economic and Community Development shall
submit an economic development strategic plan for the state to the
Governor for approval. The Governor shall review and approve or
disapprove such plan not more than sixty days after submission. The
plan shall be effective upon approval by the Governor or sixty days
after the date of submission.

(e) Upon approval, the commissioner shall submit the economic
development strategic plan to the joint standing committees of the
General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to commerce,
planning and development, appropriations and the budgets of state
agencies and finance, revenue and bonding. Not later than thirty days
after such submission, the commissioner shall post the plan on the web
site of the Department of Economic and Community Development.

(f) The commissioner from time to time, may revise and update the
strategic plan upon approval of the Governor. The commissioner shall
post any such revisions on the web site of the Department of Economic
and Community Development.

Call for Help for CLEAN-TEA in US Senate

2009-07-01T09:25:00.002-04:00

SGA Members and Friends,

I'm sure many of you heard that the House passed their climate legislation on Friday.
SGA (Smart Growth America) had been working hard to get policy and funding in the bill to address transportation emissions and while we made a great amount of progress in the House there is still more that can be done as the Senate takes up climate legislation in the coming weeks, especially around increasing funding for green transportation (the House bill currently allows states to spend some of their funds on transportation but there is no requirement for them to do so).

In the Senate we are building support for smart growth and transportation in the climate bill by getting co-sponsors to support legislation called CLEAN-TEA (S. 575) that was introduced by Senators Carper and Specter this spring.

CLEAN-TEA would have states and large metropolitan regions develop plans for reducing their emissions from transportation and then would set aside 10% of revenue generated from a climate bill for states and MPOs to create their transportation greenhouse gas reduction plans and build green transportation projects.

PLEASE HELP US ENSURE THERE IS STRONG POLICY AND FUNDING FOR SMART GROWTH AND TRANSPORTATION IN THE SENATE CLIMATE BILL BY ASKING YOUR SENATOR TO CO-SPONSOR CLEAN-TEA (S. 575).
Thanks!

Stephanie Potts
Policy Analyst
Smart Growth America

Help us help your community!

Executive Order will Keep Lights on, for Now.

2009-07-01T08:39:00.002-04:00

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced June 30th that she had signed an Executive Order to ensure the continued efficient operation of state government until a new, two-year state budget has been signed into law.

The action is necessary because July first marks the beginning of a new fiscal year for Connecticut and the General Assembly and the Governor have not successfully negotiated a new budget.

“First and foremost, people should rest assured that state government will continue to operate – services will be delivered; we will care for the vulnerable and the sick; public safety and public health will be protected,” Governor Rell said. “Negotiations between my Administration and legislative leaders from both the Republican and Democratic caucuses are continuing.”

1000 Friends of Connecticut to Honor First Smart Growth Champ!

2009-06-29T17:35:00.002-04:00

July 21st, 5 to 7 PM, Hartford Public Library, 500 Main Street, Hartford, Join 1000 FRIENDS of Connecticut in honoring its First Smart Growth Champ, Tom Condon.

Tom is the heart, the brain and the pen behind the Hartford Courant's nationally-renown Place Section.

Every Sunday, The Place Section celebrates Connecticut's natural spaces and built environment. The section features colorful and expert contributors from near and far, and Tom's column.

Tom is an indefatigable smart growth champion! 1000 FRIENDS recognizes Tom for consistently showcasing best practices, calling-out foolish choices, asking tough questions, and reminding us that we can grow better, more responsibly, more sustainably, and smarter!

Please follow the link for details.

All are welcome, but space is limited.

DECD Seeks Comments on Neighborhood Stabilization Program Draft

2009-06-29T09:07:00.002-04:00

NOTICE OF PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD

THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT

DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

IS SEEKING PUBLIC COMMENT ON THE CONNECTICUT CONSORTIUM’S DRAFT APPLICATION FOR NEIGHBORHOOD STABILIZATION PROGRAM (NSP2) FUNDING UNDER THE AMERICAN REINVESTMENT AND RECOVERY ACT(ARRA) OF 2009.

The public comment period will begin June 22, 2009 and end July 2, 2009 at the close of business. The Connecticut Consortium’s draft NSP2 Application is for the utilization of approximately $45,000,000 of funding under Title XII of the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 (ARRA) for additional activities under Division B, Title III of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act (HERA) of 2008. Additional information regarding ARRA can be found at http://www.hud.gov/recovery/. The NSP2 funding is to assist in the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed homes. The Consortium’s NSP2 funding is targeted for the following activities; establish financing methods for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed upon homes and residential properties, purchase and rehabilitate homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon, redevelop demolished or vacant properties as housing. The Consortium’s NSP2 funds will be administered by the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) as the lead applicant. In addition to DECD, the Consortium members are the City of Bridgeport, the City of Hartford, the City of New Haven, the City of Stamford, the Corporation for Independent Living, Neighborhood Housing Services of CT, Inc., and Greater New Haven Community Loan Fund.

All state residents are encouraged to provide written comment on the Consortium’s draft NSP2 Application. A copy of the Consortium’s draft NSP2 Application as well as the state’s five-year Consolidated Plan for Housing and Community Development, annual Action Plans, and substantial amendments are available at the Department of Economic and Community Development’s website, www.DECD.org.

Written comments may be sent to W. Michael Regan, Community Development Assistant Administrator, Office of Strategy and Policy, Department of Economic & Community Development, 505 Hudson Street, Hartford, CT 06106-7106 or emailed to NSP.Comments@ct.gov All comments received will be summarized and responded to in the final NSP2 Application which will be posted on DECD’s website, www.DECD.org.

Department of Economic & Community Development programs are administered in a nondiscriminatory manner, consistent with equal employment opportunities, affirmative action, and fair housing requirements. Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for information in alternative formats must be directed to the ADA (504) Coordinator at 860-566-1755.

Publication Date: June 18, 2009

Participate in Urban Infill Research Study Survey

2009-06-26T16:00:00.002-04:00

The link below will direct you to a brief online survey. This survey is part of a National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) study to develop guidance and a methodology for the preparation and review of transportation impact analyses (TIAs) of infill development in urban or urbanizing areas. You can help support this effort by answering a few brief questions.

Why this is important
Higher density, mixed-use redevelopment and infill development are smart growth concepts that are an increasingly common form of development subject to environmental review and often traffic impact studies. However, there is a lack of standardized guidance and trip and parking generation data for preparing these studies.

Why your help is needed
The first phase of this study involves collecting information on current infill development definitions, infill traffic and parking generation data and estimation methods, TIA analysis methods and agency review procedures. Kimley-Horn and Associates, on behalf of NCHRP, would like to survey those involved in various aspects of infill development in order to collect this information. Your responses are completely confidential and will be used to identify valuable information and resources regarding the current state-of-the-practice of analyzing the impacts of infill development.

Please click to complete the survey.

Pollution Cutting Transportation Projects Boosted in New Agreement on Energy Bill

2009-06-26T12:25:00.002-04:00

Reps. Henry A. Waxman, James L. Oberstar, Anthony D. Weiner, Earl Blumenauer, and Doris Matsui today announced a new agreement that will allow states to use funding from the American Clean Energy and Security Act (ACES) to invest in clean transportation projects that reduce global warming pollution.

Under ACES, states will receive allowances for clean energy and energy efficiency investments. In the original legislation, these allowances could be used for purposes such as building retrofits to increase efficiency, investments in renewable energy such as wind turbines and solar panels, or for establishing a "Smart Grid." However, the original legislation did not provide any of these allowances to the transportation sector.Under the agreement announced today, states will be allowed to use up to 10 percent of these allowances for transportation. They can use allowances to fulfill the state matching requirement to receive federal funds for projects like public transportation systems, clean fuel buses, or construction of bicycle facilities.

"This is an important improvement in the legislation," said Rep. Waxman, Chairman of the Energy and Commerce Committee. "Transportation accounts for nearly one-third of our global warming pollution. We will be requiring states and metropolitan areas to plan for reducing their global warming pollution from transportation, and this provision will help them reach their goals."

"Transportation has been identified as a significant source of the pollutants that contribute to global warming, and investing in transportation projects that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions must be a central part of the solution," said Rep. Oberstar, Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. "I commend Chairman Waxman for working with me to ensure that a portion of allowances are available for projects that will expand options for public transportation, bicycling, walking, and other green transportation alternatives for our citizens. This legislation provides only a small portion of the funds needed to address surface transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions, but is a very good first step."

"It's simply a no brainer to help localities reduce global warming by investing in smart transportation projects," said Rep. Weiner. "We need to get in the business of reducing congestion and increasing cost effective, energy efficient measures such as public transit. This bill does just that."

"Chairman Waxman and Subcommittee Chairman Markey have worked tirelessly on a bill that will invest in clean, renewable energy, put a cap on dangerous carbon emissions, and create millions of new jobs," said Rep. Blumenauer. "Yet we can't successfully address the issue of global warming without dealing with transportation, a sector which accounts for nearly one-third of America's carbon emissions. I am pleased that the American Clean Energy and Security Act recognizes that providing low carbon transportation options, including public transportation, is a cost-effective way to reduce global warming pollution. Not only do these investments reduce emissions, but they give Americans more commuting choices, improve public health, and reduce our nation's dependence on oil."

"Because transportation accounts for 30 percent of the greenhouse gases emitted into the atmosphere each year, effective climate change legislation must include a transportation component if we are going to achieve the emission reductions we need in order to halt global warming," stated Rep. Matsui. "The inclusion of my transportation efficiency provisions in the American Clean Energy and Security Act, along with the robust funding announced in today's agreement, will give communities the incentives they need to grow and develop in a way that is sensitive to global warming."

Land use is important

2009-06-23T20:32:00.003-04:00

Kaid Benfield, from the NRDC, discusses a new in-depth study on land use patterns and transit:

Which is a pretty long introduction to a new report that will make smart growth harder to ignore as a carbon-reducing strategy. In particular, the Center for Clean Air Policy (CCAP) released a study last Friday documenting how comprehensive application of smart growth best practices and improved transportation choices can significantly reduce transportation emissions at a cost savings to society. The report makes a strong case for investing a portion of cap-and-trade revenues in smart growth. Here are some of the key findings:

— Smart growth and smart transportation choices can reduce the amount Americans need to drive - as measured in vehicle miles traveled (VMT) - by 10 percent per capita from 2005 levels.

— A 10 percent reduction in per capita VMT would reduce annual transportation emissions by 145 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MMTCO2) in the year 2030, equivalent to the annual emissions of about 30 million cars or 35 large coal plants.

— These reductions would equal approximately 6 percent of the 2030 greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goal proposed in the American Clean Energy and Security Act.

As Felix Salmon points out, one of the most important points of the study is that investments in transit can actually have negative costs; that is, we end up getting more money back than their cost. It is not just about being green; smart growth actually is good for the economy as a whole.

Best Spots to Spot Walkers and Cyclists?

2009-06-23T15:54:00.002-04:00

The National Bike and Pedestrian Documentation Project seeks to quantify who's walking and riding. There will be a count in September on a weekday from 7 to 9 AM and again from 4 to 6 PM and on a Saturday from 12 to 2 PM.

The Capitol Region Council of Governments is looking for good count locations.

Please submit your suggestions before June 29th to Sandy Fry at CRCOG.