News

Earlier this month I had the opportunity to join state legislators and community investment advocates for a Community Investment Act Lobby Day to advocate for an increase in the recording fee on real estate transactions that supports the Community Investment Act (CIA). We held a briefing which included kind words from Senator Catherine Osten, Representative Maria Horn, Representative Mitch Bolinsky, and Representative Joseph Gresko, alongside advocates from various sectors benefiting from the CIA. It was a great experience, not only planning my first lobby day, but also having the opportunity to meet and talk with folks across the state, many from different backgrounds, sectors, and passions, to advocate for a bill that we all benefit from. 

The Connecticut Network (CT-N) has a recording of the event and the CT News Junkie covered it. A few screenshots from CT-N’s recording are included below.

The CIA, originally established in 2005, provides crucial funding for agriculture, farmland preservation, affordable housing, open space preservation, and historic preservation. Since its inception, the CIA has invested over $159 million in these vital sectors. Furthermore, the proposed legislation, SB 1522, seeks to rename the CIA the Donald E. Williams, Jr. Community Investment Account, honoring the former state senator instrumental in its creation. Legislators and advocates are calling for an increase in the state’s recording fee that funds the CIA, which has remained at $40 since 2011. Senate Bill 1522 proposes raising this fee to $50, with a portion of the revenue allocated to the Community Investment Account.

During the briefing, which was broadcast live on the Connecticut Network (CTN), legislators from both sides of the aisle, in addition to advocates, talked briefly about what the CIA meant to them. I’ll highlight some of the remarks below. Many of them shared the importance of the CIA in their district, and their personal history with the law. 

Senator Osten speaks at the Community Investment Act Lobby Day.

State Senator Catherine Osten highlighted the CIA’s support for the agricultural and land conservation sectors. She underscored the economic significance of farming in Connecticut: 

“We have yet to figure out how to have our farms survive just on pavement so we need to save the land, and the farming community is a four billion dollar industry, so it’s not just about saving the areas, it’s about saving the jobs that have been so impactful.”

Sen. Osten also highlighted other benefits of the bill, including the preservation of land for open space in her district and addressing the affordable housing crisis across the state. 

CT Farm Bureau Executive Director Tracey McDougall emphasized the importance of the CIA to agricultural communities:

“CIA funds provide critical support to our dairy farms, fund vital programs to preserve farmland and support many important agricultural initiatives.”

Representative Horn speaks during the Community Investment Act Lobby Day.

Representative Maria Horn emphasized the urgency and importance of the proposed increase, sharing a story of Former Representative Roberta Willis and her advice to Rep. Horn when she was new to office: 

“When I first decided to run for office this was one of the first things she dropped on me, you have to understand this act and how important it is, it’s right there in the title of this act, the Community Investment Act, it’s about investing in our culture, our traditions, our economic and fiscal growth, it’s about making sure we preserve the planet and our green spaces, the space that keeps us all healthy both literally and mentally, and it’s about making sure people have houses. It really touches people across the board in every part of the state. It has been around for 20 years, it is time to update it.” 

Chelsea Ross of the Partnership for Strong Communities speaks during the Community Investment Act Lobby Day.

Advocates also voiced their strong support for the fee increase. Chelsea Ross, executive of Partnership for Strong Communities, a housing advocacy nonprofit, stressed the critical need for affordable housing and the direct role of CIA funding:

 “Expanding the Community Investment Act via S.B. 1522 is a smart policy choice that meets the moment and the needs of our communities. Increasing CIA ensures more people can access safe, affordable homes and the support services that help them stay housed. A portion of the dollars strengthen proven housing and homelessness programs across all of Connecticut at a time when the need is exponentially increasing.”

Senate Bill 1522 has already been voted out of the Government Administration and Elections Committee in late March. Senator Osten indicated that the bill may next proceed to the Appropriations Committee before a vote on the Senate floor.

In my reflection on the event, the one thing that was quite remarkable was how the CIA was able to bring so many different sectors together, who usually do not interact with each other. In the packed public hearing room there were farmers, historians, land conservation advocates, affordable housing advocates, and elected officials, both Republican and Democrat. The CIA is about investing in the whole community, which is why there was so much support earlier this month. 

Finally, I’ll make a note to thank everyone for coming to the lobby day, and thank Tracey McDougall (CT Farm Bureau), Jane Montanaro (Preservation Connecticut), Eliza Paterson (Working Lands Alliance), Chelsea Ross (Partnership for Strong Communities), and Amy Paterson (CT Land Conservation Council) for all their work in making this day a reality, from drafting a support letter to legislators back in January, to meeting the Friday before to finalize the schedule. 

The public is encouraged to learn more about the Community Investment Act and Senate Bill 1522 by visiting CLCC’s public testimony on the bill.

Land Trusts are urged to contact their state representatives and senators to co-sponsor SB 1522.