June 24, 2009
The Honorable M. Jodi Rell
Governor of Connecticut
Executive Chambers
State Capitol Building
Hartford, CT 06106
Dear Governor Rell:
Several pieces of legislation passed by the General Assembly affecting towns and cities are before you for
review. CCM asks that you consider our recommendations concerning these bills.
CCM urges you to sign the following bills:
HB 6901 (immediately transmitted) would allow municipalities to re-open adopted budgets to make
adjustments necessary because federal stabilization funds being used for ECS will now go directly to boards of
education. This will protect towns from potentially severe budget disruptions.
Public Act 09-184 would allow licensed professional engineers to certify that work done on economic
development projects is done in accordance with state requirements in order to expedite the completion of such
projects. This would help streamline the permit process for important economic development projects.
Public Act 09-231 would establish a framework for regional cooperation in economic development. It would
allow two or more municipalities that join in federal economic development districts and enter into agreements
to "promote economic development" to share the revenue from such developments. This legislation is a good
complement to your initiatives on regional cooperation.
Public Act 09-147 would allow municipalities (i) the option of participating in the state employee health plan,
and (ii) to join with one another to purchase health insurance as a group. This Act would provide choices to
towns and cities looking to save on health care costs.
CCM urges you to veto the following bill:
Public Act 09-154 would require that at least 1% of all funds expended on roads be used to provide facilities for
all users, including bikeways and sidewalks with appropriate curb cuts and ramps. Certain exceptions are
possible upon the action of the municipal legislative body. While well-intentioned, this bill would be difficult
to put into practice. It appears to affect funding received through municipal aid programs such as TAR and
LoCIP which are already stretched as far as possible. It would also seemingly require town meetings to enact
the exceptions in small towns, a burdensome requirement.
Thank you for your consideration.
James J. Finley, Jr.
Executive Director & CEO
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