What Is a Citizens' Assembly?
A Citizens' Assembly is a group of residents selected through a civic lottery process to reflect the diversity of a community.
Participants are brought together to:
- Learn about a complex issue from experts and stakeholders with differing perspectives.
- Ask questions and examine evidence.
- Discuss solutions with fellow residents.
- Develop recommendations based on informed deliberation.
Why use a Citizens' Assembly?
Complex issues often benefit from informed public deliberation. Citizens' Assemblies create opportunities for residents to learn, discuss, and recommend solutions in a structured and balanced environment.
Why Property Taxes?
Connecticut's property tax system plays a vital role in funding local services, including:
- Public education
- Police and fire protection
- Road maintenance
- Public health services
- Libraries, parks, and recreation
- Senior and community services
At the same time, many residents and policymakers agree the current system faces significant challenges.
The Facts
Who Is Leading the Initiative?
- Connecticut Conference of Municipalities (CCM)
- Yale University
- University of Connecticut (UConn)
- Connecticut Office of the State Comptroller
How the Assembly Was Selected
To ensure the Assembly reflects Connecticut's population, hundreds of thousands of households across the state received invitations to participate. Residents who responded were entered into a civic lottery process.
Working with experts in democratic innovation and public participation, a final group of participants was selected to mirror Connecticut's diversity.
What Will Participants Do?
Over a series of meetings, Assembly members will:
- Learn
- Deliberate
- Evaluate Options
- Develop Recommendations
Why This Matters
Property taxes affect nearly every aspect of life in Connecticut.
The challenge is complex, with no single solution that satisfies every concern. That is precisely why informed public deliberation is so important.
The Citizens' Assembly provides an opportunity for residents from different backgrounds and viewpoints to work together, learn from one another, and identify areas of common ground.
Its recommendations will help inform ongoing discussions about the future of property taxation in Connecticut.
Assembly Process Timeline
Can the public follow the Assembly's work?
Yes. Information, updates, and resources will be shared throughout the process at www.CCM-CT.org and www.CT-Citizens-Assembly.org
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