LVT Blasts Through Connecticut General Assembly Onto Governor Rell's Desk

A unanimous vote by the Assembly puts an LVT pilot program one step away from legislative reality.

New London

The history of SB379 shows the tortuous path this legislation took, from an enabling bill paired with others to provide the LVT option to all Connecticut cities. Mayor DiStefano of New Haven testified in favor, but his city was shut out of the final bill. Yet, overcoming the power of the status quo and inertia is a victory in itself.

The pluck and energy of the LVT working groups consisting of us at CSE and the on-the-ground troops of ReNewLondon Council led to an awesome coalition of groups:

New Haven Mayor John DeStefano
New London Mayor Kevin Cavanaugh
New London City Councilor and former Mayor Peg Curtain
New London 'Day' Newspaper
New London Landmarks
New London City Council
Connecticut Farmland Trust
Hartford Preservation Alliance
Homebuilders Assn of Connecticut
Southeastern Connecticut Sierra Club
Metro Hartford Alliance
Ct. Forest & Park
Connecticut Conference of Municipalities
New London Main Street
Farmington River Watershed Association
Connecticut Sierra Club
Stamford Urban Redevelopment Commission
AFSCME Council 4

They helped overcome the opposition of a few "outliers" in both the legislature and the established order. Hard times call for new stances, and we believe that trading off taxation of private wealth with collection of publicly-created and owned wealth will help New London reclaim its place as a jewel of a small city overlooking the sparkling waters of the Long island Sound.
Among the prime movers on the ground were Senator Andrea Stillman, citizen activist Art Costa, Councilor Peg Curtin, David Fairman and many others, including including Kenric Hanson who is on the Work Group and Re-New London Council; Sen. Andrew Maynard, and Kevin Cavanagh (Mayor at the time of the council resolution)and former Mayor Lloyd Beachy and Dr. David Bingham as well as LVT advocates in Connecticut. Essential support was provided by Molly McKay chair of the CT
Sierra Transit Committee and Roberta Paro SE CT Sierra Group Chair..

The first push came when New London City Council unanimously passed a resolution to have the New London delegation sponsor an LVT bill.

Costa Senator Stillman