Home > News > News > Bring on the 2021 Session

News

snow covered field

The 2021 Connecticut General Assembly convenes on January 6. Creating, protecting, and enhancing land conservation funding are at the top of CLCC’s annual list of policy priorities:

CREATE a Municipal Conservation Funding Option. Now is the time to enact legislation giving municipalities an option to generate their own revenue for land conservation, climate resiliency, and community environmental projects through a local buyer’s conveyance fee program.

PROTECT the Community Investment Act (CIA). A dedicated account set up outside the budget for open space, farmland preservation, and other land use programs, it is consistently at risk of raids and cuts. CLCC seeks to ensure CIA funds stay intact and dedicated.

ENHANCE the Open Space and Watershed Land Acquisition Grant Program (OSWA). This program funds land trusts, municipalities, and water companies to help acquire and protect open space and create urban green and community gardens. CLCC will continue to advocate for consistent and increased funding for OSWA and other state land conservation programs.

On the heels of the Governor’s Council on Climate Change (GC3) process, we will work to incorporate nature-based climate solutions into Connecticut’s goals and implementation plans to address the climate crisis.

With the Capitol closed to the public for most, if not all of the session, our traditional means of communicating with legislators—hallway conversations, in-person meetings, and live testimony—is off the table. We will need to rely upon calls, texts, and emails like never before.

Yet with this challenge, comes opportunity.

With public hearings held via Zoom, you can participate from anywhere!

Your voice will be essential, as always, to ensure good bills are passed, bad bills are defeated, and land conservation funding is created, protected, and enhanced.

CLCC will be with you every step of the way.

We wish you and yours a happy, healthy, and greener 2021!