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Union and local leaders back bill to let residents force referenda on municipal sales and privatization
Summary
Lawmakers heard testimony supporting HB 7 208, which would let residents trigger a referendum when a municipality proposes selling an authority, privatizing a department or selling property (non-open-space) if petitioned by a threshold share of electors. Supporters cited Ansonia and Stratford as examples; opponents urged local charter remedies.
Multiple union leaders, municipal residents and lawmakers urged the Government Administration and Elections Committee to advance HB 7 2 0 8, a bill that would create a petition-and-referendum mechanism for municipalities that propose selling authorities, privatizing departments or disposing of certain property.
Andrew Rhodes of AFSCME and other union witnesses said privatization can harm service quality and workers’ jobs. Rhodes testified, “I strongly urge the committee to support bill 7,208 for the…
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