June 22, 2010

LEGISLATURE UNABLE TO OVERRIDE TENANT COMMISSIONER VETO

Legislative supporters of tenants' right to elect their own representative to local housing commissions, including Rep. Mary Mushinsky and Michelle Cook (D-Torrington), Housing Committee Co-chairs Rep. Ken Green (D-Hartford) and Sen. Ed Gomes (D-Bridgeport), were disappointed that the legislature was unable to override Gov. M. Jodi Rell's veto of SB 320, An Act Concerning the Selection of Tenant Commissioners, after a long struggle left them one vote shy of an override.

The legislature did not take up the bill by the end of the veto session Monday when it became clear to legislative leaders that the bill still needed more support in the House to reach the required 2/3 vote of those present. A small number of legislators were absent due to illness or previously scheduled family vacations.

Mushinsky, a strong supporter of the bill, said the defeat was a blow to democratic election of tenant commissioners. "The bill would have established a process for housing authority tenants to establish their own tenants' organization, and then elect one of their own to speak for them on the housing authority. Tenants are limited to one of five seats on the authority—it is only fair that they get to choose their own person," Mushinsky said.

Failure of the bill left tenants with the option of suggesting who they want to fill the post, but no requirement that the appointing authority take their suggestion, Mushinsky added. Sponsors said they would file the bill again in the next legislative session.

Mary Mushinsky represents Wallingford's 85th Assembly District. She is House Chair of the Program Review and Investigation Committee and a member of the Select Committee on Children; the Environment; and the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committees.