UPDATE: June 24, 2017 at 8:10 P.M.
The State Senate tonight voted by a margin of 24-12, greater than the requisite 2/3, to override the governor’s veto of the 8-30g reform bill. Since the House voted to override the veto earlier today, the bill will become Connecticut law, in spite of the governor’s objections. Rep. Frey acclaims this bipartisan veto override as a “key progress in the battle against predatory lenders.”
Veto Override Awaits Consideration by the State Senate
State Rep. John Frey (R-111) praised the State House of Representatives for its vote to override Governor Malloy’s veto of 8-30g affordable housing reform legislation. After the governor announced his decision to veto the bipartisan compromise bill to revise the 8-30g statute on July 14, House leadership chose to take up the issue of overriding the veto at a special session on Monday. Needing the support of 2/3 of the chamber to override the veto, the measure passed by a vote of 101-40.
Rep. Frey co-sponsored the initial HB 6880, a modest step towards affordable housing reform, which he hoped would offer towns an attainable goal of developing and reaching a moratorium to achieve greater control over developments.
“The House vote today shows the depth of support there is for affordable housing reform in Connecticut,” said Rep. Frey. “I worked closely with people from both parties to reach a compromise that solved a serious problem. Representatives from across the state talked about how desperately their towns wanted to revise the 8-30g housing statutes and avoid being exploited by predatory developers. I’m relieved that 101 House members decided the governor’s reasons for the veto were as misguided as I did. We made a good case for why we can still encourage towns to provide sufficient affordable housing, while still maintaining the authority of local zoning boards to act in the best interest of town residents. This is good policy for Connecticut, especially cash-strapped municipalities, and I commend those representatives for showing independence from the governor.”
“The State Senate passed this sensible measure with more than 2/3 support when it came to them back in June, so I like the chances the veto will be overridden,” added Rep. Frey. “I urge them to do the right thing and take this necessary step towards reforming an antiquated housing statute.”
State Rep. John Frey represents the 111th Assembly district, which covers the majority of the Town of Ridgefield.