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Says Bill Honors Past, Safeguards Future Quality of Connecticut Life July 12, 2005 – Governor M. Jodi Rell has signed into law landmark legislation earmarking funding for farmland preservation, open-space acquisition, historic preservation and affordable housing - a combination of programs the Governor said represents the best of Connecticut's past and holds great promise for the future. “This is among the most worthy and visionary pieces of legislation approved this year. In this one bill, we honor our state's illustrious past and promote the well-being of future generations,” Governor Rell said. “We are preserving our history, protecting land from over-development and providing money for decent, affordable housing for our citizens. “Each day, we lose more acres of farm land and open space to developers. Each day we see historic homes and buildings razed to make way for cheaper new construction. Well, this is a new day in Connecticut, as we rededicate ourselves those who made Connecticut the great state that it is, and to those who will inherit it from us.” The bill, Senate Bill 410, An Act Concerning Farmland Preservation, Land Protection, Affordable Housing and Historic Preservation, dedicates $6.5 million for each of the four programs named in the bill's title. In signing the bill, the Governor acknowledged that she had reservations about its underlying funding mechanism because of concerns that it may be financially burdensome to land-record filers and that it may skirt Connecticut's constitutional spending cap. The funding device had been called into question during the floor debate by House Minority Leader Robert M. Ward, who has since said he may mount a court challenge to the measure. Governor Rell encouraged Representative Ward to pursue that option if he so chooses. She also noted that the revenue changes take effect Oct. 1, “so there is time to get these issues resolved.” “I strongly support the programs contained in this bill, and have for years. But the money it raises was not included in the state budget adopted by the General Assembly,” Governor Rell said. “So there are legitimate questions as to whether the funding mechanism violates the spirit, if not the letter, of our spending cap requirements.” The bill increases the fee that citizens will pay when they record documents in the municipal land records, beginning Oct. 1. Currently, the fee is generally $10 for the first page and $5 for each additional page, plus a $3 surcharge on each document. Under this bill, the fee for each document will be increased by $30. Senate Bill 410 won overwhelming approval in the final days of the 2005 legislative session, passing unanimously in the Senate and on a 109-39 vote in the House of Representatives. Back to News |
