Gov. Lamont To Veto 2 Controversial Bills Approved By Legislature: Here’s What You Need To Know

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont announced Monday he will veto two high-profile and controversial bills passed by the General Assembly this session — an extensive housing reform proposal and a measure that would extend unemployment benefits to striking workers — citing the need for more refined and collaborative legislation.

The housing legislation, House Bill 5002, was designed to address the state’s affordable housing shortage through zoning reform and streamlined approvals. The second measure, Senate Bill 8, aimed to provide unemployment benefits to striking workers — a proposal backed strongly by labor unions and previously vetoed by Lamont last year.

Reaction to the vetoes

Lamont’s decision drew sharp reactions from both sides of the aisle. While Republican lawmakers praised the move as a defense of local control and business stability, Democratic leaders expressed frustration, saying the housing measure was the most comprehensive effort in years to tackle an escalating crisis.

"The governor is on the wrong side on this one," said State Sen. Julie Kushner, Chair of the Labor and Public Employees Committee. "Most often, strikes occur when workers are fighting to protect their health and pension benefits or fighting egregious working conditions. It’s never an easy or careless decision to strike. Furthermore, when unionized workers’ wages and benefits are protected or improved, every business in Connecticut is then pressured to improve its own workplace standards. This bill would not only help workers on one particular picket line, it would help the entire Connecticut workforce – our friends and neighbors – and keep us moving forward."

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The striking workers bill was opposed by major employers such as RTX, parent company of Pratt & Whitney, which warned it could impact over 4,000 employees statewide. Lamont cited the recent strike at Pratt as an example of why protecting existing jobs is essential, but proponents of the legislation saw the veto as the governor taking sides against the interests of Connecticut workers.

"Gov. Lamont has once again sided with corporate CEOs over the hardworking people of Connecticut," said Ed Hawthorne, president of the Connecticut AFL-CIO. "This veto sends a clear message: Gov. Lamont is more concerned with protecting corporate profits than supporting the working people who make our economy run. I’d like to remind Gov. Lamont that Pratt & Whitney, Electric Boat and other large corporations are not his constituents. The thousands of hardworking people who work there are."

Lamont said he was "pro-jobs," but told reporters at a news conference Monday morning that "paying striking workers is a bridge too far … and I want to watch out for any bill which I think discourages jobs in this state."

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The housing reform veto

The housing reform bill was especially unpopular in southwestern Connecticut towns, and local officials from the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and the Council of Small Towns had repeatedly urged Lamont to reject the bill, which passed with bipartisan opposition in the House and limited public debate.

"The Governor made the logical call by vetoing H.B. 5002, though he has offered little vision for a path forward," House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said on Monday. "Trying to make housing more affordable in Connecticut without confronting the broader policies that drive up the cost of living here is a flawed strategy. Equally problematic is the push for top-down mandates without meaningful collaboration from the local leaders expected to implement them."

All Senate Republicans voted against the "anti-local control legislation," Senate Republican Leader Stephen Harding reminded constituents in a statement. "After Democrats passed it, Senate Republicans have been urging the governor to veto this deeply flawed bill. Some Democrats even joined us in demanding a veto. There is bipartisan recognition that this terrible bill represents one of the most aggressive attacks on local control our state has seen."

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But Democrats in the Senate were "deeply disappointed," said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff in a statement. “Connecticut cannot create jobs, lower costs, and attract businesses without building more housing.”

"The veto is disappointing," said Speaker of the House Matt Ritter and House Majority Leader Jason Rojas in a joint statement. "Our legislation, built off the foundation laid in past legislative sessions, was a comprehensive package of housing policies that included incentives, local options, access to resources, while acknowledging the importance of city and town leaders’ voices in making final decisions. The bill sought to encourage action on status quo policies that have led to the lack of access, availability, and affordability throughout our state. Individuals and organizations, as well as our executive branch colleagues, spent months weighing in, informing the final product that was debated and passed in both the House and Senate. In the end, a choice was made."

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Lamont said that he hoped to see a revised housing bill come to his desk during a special legislative session anticipated in September. He also acknowledged the housing issue received less scrutiny than other legislation, including the biennial budget and electricity cost reforms.

Despite disappointment from some Democratic leaders, Lamont emphasized that the conversation on both housing and labor policy is far from over. “I hope we can come back in September with something better,” he said.