HARTFORD- State Representative Arthur O’Neill (R-69) applauded the passage of two farmland preservation bills supported in the Environment Committee.
Rep. O’Neill said, “The Environment Committee’s favorable action on these bills recognizes the importance the legislature puts on farmland preservation and state planning and development.”
While Connecticut’s budget deficit properly occupies center stage, the issue of farmland preservation should not be forgotten by state law-makers as we look at state planning and development policy in Connecticut.”
“It is in Connecticut’s best interest to protect this land before any rash economic decisions are made that we may end up regretting in the future,” said Rep. O’Neill.
House bill 5203, An Act Authorizing an Agricultural Conservation Easement on the Lands of the Southbury Training School; which would permanently preserve the farmland at the Southbury Training School and allow the state of Connecticut to retain ownership of the property and House bill 5204, An Act Concerning the Implementation of Certain Recommendations by the Farmland Preservation Board; is a proposal which would implement the Farmland Preservation Board recommendations to permanently preserve certain state-owned agricultural lands.
Both bills now move to the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee for a vote in that committee.
“I cannot stress enough how neither of these proposals will cost the state anything and may actually save the state money long-term,” Rep. O’Neill concluded.
