Teamwork by Bike/Pedestrian Coalition Gets Complete Streets Bill Passed

Cyclists, walkers, runners and transit users have some good news. Connecticut’s “Complete Streets” bill, now Public Act 09-154, has passed both houses and awaits the governor’s signature.

While bike and pedestrian advocates see the final version of the bill as a slightly watered down version of the original, the Complete Streets legislation is absolutely a step in the right direction toward ensuring that transportation isn’t just about cars anymore. If we want cleaner air, healthier residents and less reliance on petroleum, we better start making it a whole lot easier and safer for people to get around by foot and by bike.

The enactment of the Complete Streets legislation is the result of an informal coalition of advocates from across the state. Now is a good time to recognize those who put a lot of hard work into getting this bill across the finish line.

• First, Liz Brown and Tom Brooks of the Commission on Children raised the question last December, “What can we ask for this legislative session that will enable children to be more active?” Out of that discussion came a meeting with Senator DeFronzo and the idea to pursue Complete Streets legislation. Throughout the process Liz has been a great guide to how the legislature works!
• Second, Deb Dauphinais of the Central Connecticut Bicycle Assocation (CCBA) provided the vital personal connect with Representative Tom Kehoe. Deb also organized the CCBA Legislative reception where bicycle advocates demonstrated their numbers and provided a great launch for the bill.
• Third, Ryan Lynch and Tri State Transportation Campaign get the lion’s share of credit for seeing this through. Ryan drafted the beautifully simple language that survived almost completely intact. He was always ready with research to support the bill when questions came up from the legislature. He was the main legislative contact and he did a great job of keeping the informal coalition of advocates informed and getting them to reach out to their constituents.

And finally, many thanks and congratulations go to Representative Tom Kehoe (Glastonbury) who was the main backer of the bill, and Senator Don DeFronzo (New Britain) and Representative Tony Guerrera (Rocky Hill), co-chairs of the Transportation Committee who put the support of the committee behind the bill , and the numerous Senators and Representatives who voted in favor of the bill. Consider sending them a message or calling to let them know you appreciate all their hard work on this bill. (Representatives’ contact info; Senators’ contact info).

To all the bike and pedestrian advocates who promoted the complete streets bill– great job in keeping the grass roots interested and active. Without the demonstrated support from advocates throughout the state, complete streets would never have passed - your work was essential.

Connecticut's Complete Streets Team includes:

Tri-State Transportation Campaign

Connecticut Association Community Transportation

Connecticut Bicycle Coalition

Connecticut Commission on Children

Connecticut Fund for the Environment/Transit for Connecticut

Connecticut Greenways Council

Connecticut League of Conservation Voters

Connecticut Livable Streets Campaign

Elm City Cycling

Farmington Valley Trails Council

Greenwich Safe Cycling

Regional Plan Association

Sierra Club – Connecticut Chapter

1000 Friends of CT

2009 Legislative Session: What Happened to Energy and Water Protection?

When the Connecticut General Assembly ended its 2009 session at midnight on June 3rd, environmental leaders were dismayed by devastating losses in two areas-energy and water -but grateful for promises that the upcoming budget will have at least some funds for dairy farms, open space, and other environmental causes. There were also modest gains relating to toxins in consumer products, pesticides, recycling, land-use planning, and "smart growth" (policies designed to halt and roll back sprawling development).

Low Points: No Senate Vote on Solar; Water Quality Ignored
The General Assembly's failure to adopt comprehensive policies on energy marks one of the lowest points of the 2009 session. A major bill to develop a solar energy industry in Connecticut (HB6635) passed in the House by a vote of 145-0. The bill would have helped Connecticut businesses compete and thrive as the world begins the inevitable shift to an alternative energy economy. But the Senate did not bring the bill to a vote.

"The state desperately needs leadership and comprehensive reform of energy planning and administration," said Lori Brown, CTLCV Executive Director. "But inertia and the famously strained relations between the Senate Chair of the Energy and Technology Committee and the last two House Chairs have blocked progress."

Almost as disappointing, a bill to protect inland wetlands and water courses (SB569) died in the last hour of the House session after passing the Senate unanimously. A companion bill to save natural vegetation buffering the state's waters (HB5934) made it through three committees but died in the House without coming to a vote.

Attacks on Environmental Safeguards Foiled
At the start of the year, it seemed that the economic recession might be used successfully as a wedge to open the door to bills waiving, evading, and undermining basic environmental laws. Advocates had to defend the Clean Water Act against a bill exempting copper-laden wastewater washed off boat hulls from regulation; the Connecticut Environmental Policy Act from bills exempting an airport expansion and federally funded construction projects from normal environmental review; and from bills overriding the authority of the Department of Environmental Protection to regulate construction in a floodplain and new hydropower construction on state-owned dams.

"Environmentalists came together as a team to meet these challenges, and we were almost fully successful," said CTLCV Board Member Margaret Miner. "But this entire session highlighted the struggle to protect the state's remaining high-quality resources as good land and good water diminish."

Wins for the Environment: Recycling, Smart Growth, Complete Streets, Toxics Bans, Dairy Farms

Pro-environment bills passed in Connecticut's 2009 legislative session include measures to:

• Add water bottles in the recycling deposit program (PA 09-2)
• Ban Bisphenol-A from children's products sold in Connecticut (PA 09-103)
• Require environment-friendly cleaning products in schools (PA 09-81)
• Keep limits on the use of pesticides at day-care facilities and elementary schools (PA 09-20)
• Make streets and roads safer for cyclists and pedestrians (SB735)
• Expand the Community Investment Act to encompass dairy farms, open space and historic urban centers (SB 891)
• Advance smart growth principles (HB6467)

It's Not Over Until It's Over: The Budget
All of the laws and policies passed in the regular legislative session are entirely or partly dependent on how shrinking state funds are allocated in the state budget. Many of the bills passed reflect intentions for future action rather than firm commitments. Legislators are now poised to take on the all-important budget during a Special Session anticipated to begin later this month. Environmental advocates will be working to promote funding that helps the twin goals of a sustainable environment and a prosperous economy.

For more information on any of these bills or upcoming environmental budget priorities, please contact Lori Brown, Executive Director, at 860.236.5442 or lori.brown@ctlcv.org. For our complete 2009 watchlist, visit www.ctlcv.org/watchlist.

Clean, Green, Healthy Transportation for Connecticut

As a partner in the Transportation for America campaign, we're helping to educate Connecticut about the very real possibilities for smart transportation options that make Connecticut greener, cleaner and healthier.

Connecticut's transportation policy can't be all about cars anymore. It doesn't make economic sense. It doesn't make environmental sense. And it doesn't make health sense. Our habits may be steady, but they aren't serving us well.

We need policies and smart planning that makes it easier—not harder— for people to get out of their cars and make more trips by foot or by bike, especially the shorter ones.

With gas prices inching back up, cycling's popularity will only continue to rise. But too often our road projects make walking and bicycling impractical or unsafe in many places. We need to ensure that all road users--including transit users, bicyclists, and pedestrians--are considered in our transportation systems.

We've also been backing this year's "Complete Streets" bill, SB 735, in the Connecticut legislature. Today's version of that bill is not as strong as previous versions, but it's a step in the right direction.