June 13, 2008

The Honorable Susan Bysiewicz

Secretary of the State

30 Trinity Street

Hartford, CT 06106

Dear Madam Secretary:

 I am hereby returning without my signature House Bill 5936, An Act Concerning the Greenway Commons Improvement District in Southington, the Waypointe Project in Norwalk, Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation, Donation of Water Companies, and the Authority of Municipal Districts Over the Water Quality in Lakes.

The intent behind this legislation is laudable. The bill, among other things, allows taxing districts to maintain water quality in lakes, extends certain corporate tax credits for donating open space land and seeks to create a special taxing district in Southington.   The bill also seeks to provide funding for the economic development and restoration of the Borough of Naugatuck and the City of Norwalk.  We can all agree that the revitalization of our neighborhoods and the development of quality of life projects are paramount to our cities and towns. 

I am troubled, however, by the funding “mechanism” established by this legislation for the Naugatuck and Norwalk projects.  The bill authorizes the Department of Economic and Community Development, Connecticut Development Authority and Connecticut Innovations to extract millions of dollars in funding from existing programs to fund  Naugatuck and Norwalk development projects.   The practical effect of the legislation is to “rob Peter to pay Paul,” and to deny funding to other worthy projects in our cities and towns.

The money at issue was previously allocated by the Legislature to programs that were deemed necessary to the public interest.  This legislation could redistribute $20 million dollars from existing projects to these two communities with no analysis on what the effect and impact would be on the existing programs.  Ultimately, another $35 million could be taken from existing programs.  These projects are no less important to the communities involved.

Furthermore, I cannot support legislation that intentionally circumvents the process currently in place to fund community and economic development projects.  The purpose of bond authorization legislation and the State Bond Commission is to finance items such as the construction of buildings, economic development, community care facilities, school construction grants, state parks and open space.  The legislative bond bill and the State Bond Commission are the proper vehicles to allocate funding for projects requested by these municipalities.   If I were to sign this bill, I would be complicit in taking much- needed funding from cities and towns and circumventing this vital process. Our state will continue to provide the services its citizens and its communities expect and need, but we must do so through the established and proven processes.

For all of the reasons stated herein, I disapprove of House Bill 5936, An Act Concerning the Greenway Commons Improvement District in Southington, the Waypointe Project in Norwalk, Naugatuck Economic Development Corporation, Donation of Water Companies, and the Authority of Municipal Districts Over the Water Quality in Lakes. Pursuant to Article Four, Section 15 of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut and Article III of the Amendments to the Constitution of the State of Connecticut, I am returning House Bill 5936 without my signature.

Very truly yours,

M. Jodi Rell

Governor