Stewart Vetoes Transparency Ordinances For Developer Tax Breaks And City Purchasing

New Britain Mayor Erin Stewart (R) has vetoed two new ordinance proposals approved by the City Council that would have provided that final versions of deals for tax breaks for developers and city contracts appear on the publicly-available Council agenda.

One proposed ordinance approved by the Council and vetoed by Stewart would have required that a report be made to the Council on a tax modification agreement for low and moderate income and luxury housing, “Once a Tax Modification Agreement has been signed by all parties.” The tax breaks have been used for deals that, while ostensibly include affordable housing, have been criticized for being used by wealthy developers in a way that expands gentrification in the city.

Another now vetoed ordinance proposal would have required quarterly reports to the Council about public contracts requiring bids over $7,500, “when the written contract has been signed.”

The vetoed proposals were part a package of transparency ordinances proposed by Council Democrats in March.

Both vetoed transparency ordinances are similar to an ordinance to provide for public reports on final land deals that was vetoed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) in April. Council Democrats had strongly criticized the veto of city legislation, calling the mayor’s act, “a striking blow against the principles of open government and accountability.”

Stewart again called the proposed ordinances she vetoed “redundant” and again belittled the elected Council members, accusing them of “indolence.”

Stewart also made the case that the public reports on the Council agenda were not needed because Council members have behind the scenes access to all public records.

The Council proposal on developer agreements would put the final versions of those deals on the Council agendas, which are published on the internet, where they are freely available to the public. The city charges for public access to public documents that are not published on Council agendas.

The vetoed items are on Council agenda for May 8, 2024. The Council has the power to override vetoes, but only with the agreement of at least 10 of the 15 Council members. With 7 Republican Council members, however, Stewart has the power to veto any Council action without the possibility of an override.

Editor’s note (5/4/2024): The article was updated with addition information about the vetoed ordinance proposals.