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Boston Globe
01-06-2025
- Automotive
- Boston Globe
Connecticut reforms towing laws to protect drivers from predatory practices
The bill, which Advertisement 'It's reform that ensures transparency, it ensures fairness and accountability, but does all of this without undercutting the essential work that ethical and professional tow operators do each and every day for us, keeping our roads safe and our properties accessible,' said Transportation Committee Co-chair Sen. Christine Cohen, D-Guilford. 'We've learned over the years, and particularly over the last year due to some investigative reporting, of some particularly egregious circumstances.' A spokesperson for Gov. Ned Lamont said the governor plans to sign the bill into law. Republican Sen. Tony Hwang, ranking member of the Transportation Committee, also spoke in favor of the bill. The bill got about a half hour of debate ahead of passage, and there were no comments in opposition. Hwang, who represents Fairfield, said the bill strikes the right balance between the interests of towers and consumers. Advertisement 'I want to acknowledge that our press had an important part to bring out transparency and some of the bad actions, and I think in this bill we address some of those issues,' Hwang said. 'We took measures to ensure that there is due process, and what has been discovered to have occurred in a criminal action, I believe, should never, ever happen again, to undermine the trust that we have to have in this process.' Connecticut's law allows tow companies to begin the process to sell vehicles after just 15 days. CT Mirror and ProPublica found that it is one of the shortest windows in the nation, and that the law has particularly impacted people with low incomes. Reporters spoke with people who said towing companies required them to pay in cash or wouldn't allow them to get personal belongings out of their vehicles. Many couldn't afford to get their towed vehicles back and lost transportation or jobs because of it. After weeks of negotiations, lawmakers said they came to a compromise with the towing industry. Two bills were merged to include massive reforms to towing procedures from private property and rate increases for highway tows that typically follow car accidents. The bill that passed and would take effect Oct. 1 requires tow companies to accept credit cards and doesn't allow them to tow vehicles immediately just because of an expired parking permit or registration. Vehicles can't be towed from private property without notice unless they're blocking traffic, fire hydrants or parked in an accessible spot. Under the bill, towing companies can still start the sales process for vehicles worth $1,500 or less after 15 days, but they would now have to take more steps to give the owner a chance to claim the vehicle. The Department of Motor Vehicles would be required to check whether the driver filed any complaints about the tow before approving the sale, and the tower would have to send a notice ahead of the sale to the registered owner and lienholders via certified mail, with receipts of delivery. Advertisement The actual sale couldn't go through until 30 days after the tow. The bill also requires that towers take at least two photos before they tow a vehicle — one of the violation that resulted in a tow and another of any damage to the vehicle. Cohen said this would help determine if vehicles had any missing parts before the tow, a seeming nod to the news organizations' story about a DMV employee who the agency's investigators found schemed with a towing company to The bill also establishes a working group to study how to handle proceeds from the sales of towed vehicles. State law requires that towing companies hold profits in escrow for a year in case the vehicle owner claims them, then remit that money to the state. But CT Mirror and ProPublica found Additionally, it calls for the DMV to work with the state's attorney general to develop a consumer bill of rights on towing. Advertisement Tow companies have to be available after hours and on weekends to allow people to get their vehicles or personal property. In a story published this month, CT Mirror and ProPublica reported that Under the new law, drivers will be allowed to retrieve their belongings from their vehicles, even if they haven't paid the towing fees. State regulations currently allow vehicle owners to retrieve only 'personal property which is essential to the health or welfare of any person.' Cohen listed many of the issues outlined in the news outlets' reporting as 'some of the worst abuses of predatory towing practices.' Timothy Vibert, president of Towing and Recovery Professionals of Connecticut, said the industry initially opposed the bill because towers believed it would impede their ability to tow cars and clear traffic. He also said towers weren't involved enough in the original draft. But they worked with lawmakers on the bill over several weeks, and he issued a statement in support this week. 'The people of Connecticut deserve safety, accountability and transparency when their cars are towed, and so do the people who work for Connecticut's towing companies who risk our lives every day to make our roads safe,' Vibert said. 'We all need clear, easy-to-follow rules.' DMV Commissioner Tony Guerrera commended the House and Senate. 'The DMV fully supports this initiative, as it not only enhances the framework for fair and equitable enforcement of towing laws but also provides a clear path forward for our agency to advance these efforts,' Guerrera said in a statement. Cohen said that the bill aims to 'fix a broken process,' and that lawmakers had worked on some aspects of it for years before the bill passed. Advertisement News of the bill's passage brought relief to Melissa Anderson, who was featured in a CT Mirror and ProPublica story after her car was towed and sold from her Hamden apartment because of an expired parking permit. The bill requires a 72-hour grace period before a car can be towed for an expired parking sticker to allow people time to get a new one. 'I'm glad we made a difference,' Anderson said. 'This is going to help a lot of people.' The bill next heads to Lamont's desk. 'The Governor appreciates all the work that went into this legislation, which provides greater protections for the public and their vehicles,' Lamont's spokesperson, Rob Blanchard, said in a text message. 'He plans on signing the legislation once it reaches his desk.'
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CT lawmakers advance partial pesticide ban, allow exemption for ‘new DDT' blamed for killing birds
A partial ban on rat poisons and other pesticides used in lawn care was advanced by the Connecticut Senate on Thursday, but only after the bill's sponsors agreed to several changes sought by the pest control industry. The legislation, Senate Bill 9, is the upper chamber's preeminent environmental measure for the 2025 legislative session. In addition to curbing pesticides, the bill would order an update to the state's water plan, require towns to consider sea level rise when making zoning changes and mandate flood risk disclosures for home buyers and renters, among other provisions. Most of the attention, however, has focused on two provisions dealing with pest controls — specifically the use of certain long-acting rodenticides and a class of insecticides called neonicotinoids — which critics have spent years lobbying to ban in Connecticut. While the bill would impose significantly greater restrictions on both of those chemicals, lawmakers passed an amendment on the Senate floor Thursday that offered some exemptions for the use of neonicotinoids — commonly referred to as 'neonics' — and delayed other restrictions on their use until 2027. 'The industry's biggest concern is they said they were willing to help… if you give us a little time to acclimate and change our systems, we will be on board with this,' said Sen. Rick Lopes, D-New Britain, co-chair of the Environment Committee. 'That's the deal we cut with them.' Still, the deal rankled environmental advocates, who have labeled neonicotinoids 'the new DDT' due to their potential to harm birds, pollinators and other wildlife. The Connecticut Audubon Society sent an email to its members prior to Thursday's vote opposing the changes and urging lawmakers to restore the stricter language. Debate on the bill was briefly delayed as Democrats huddled to discuss some members' concern with the new language. One of those in the huddle, state Sen. Christine Cohen, D-Guilford, was Lopes' predecessor as chair of the Environment Committee and had worked on several previous and unsuccessful efforts to ban neonicotinoids and rodenticides. Pesticide called 'new DDT' has been found in CT waterways. Here's what it kills. 'I've been on that side of the negotiations, and I know how difficult it can be,' Cohen said afterwards. 'So despite my disappointment at not getting a full ban in both instances, I can appreciate their work, and I'm glad we're at least moving in the right direction.' Representatives of the Connecticut Pest Control Association and other industry groups did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the revised legislation Thursday. The legislation passed the Senate by vote of 28 to 8 after less than an hour of debate. It now heads to the House for further consideration. Formal opposition to the bill came from a handful of Republicans, whose concerns focused on the bill's partial ban on certain rat poisons that would limit their use to professionals certified by the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection. Those restrictions are due to take effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Senate Minority Leader Stephen Harding, R-Brookfield, said he was worried some residents 'would be forced to live with infestations of pests,' if they are unable to afford to hire a licensed specialist. During Thursday's debate, Lopes also objected to the characterization of the bill made by some of the supporters of stricter regulations. Lopes said he was asked by the pest control industry to include another carveout in the bill that would have allowed the application of pesticides on elementary school grounds. When he broached the idea with environmental groups, their objections prompted him to abandon the plan. But rumors continued to swirl about its inclusion in the final draft of the bill, he said. 'It was discussed briefly and then discarded,' Lopes said. 'It has never been a part of the bill, it was just an idea at one point.' Lopes said he did agree to include an exemption allowing for the application of neonicotinoids on shrubbery and other ornamental plants at the request of the industry. The bill would still ban the use of the pesticides on lawns and golf courses, which he said accounted for the majority of current applications in Connecticut. 'We targeted, like we target for emissions sometimes, the largest and worst-damaging aspect of the chemical,' Lopes said. 'That should significantly decrease the amount of neonics exposed into our environment.' Critics of the pesticides, however, said it made little sense to ban their use on grass while allowing it on other plants nearby that serve as natural habitats to birds, butterflies, bees and other species. 'It's problematic because that's where most of the blooms are, and the berries for the birds and the pollinators,' said Louise Washer, a Connecticut-based advocate with Pollinator Pathways. 'On turf grass, there's usually not as many flowering plants, so it's not as attractive.' Washer and other advocates said that while they were upset about the new exemptions, they still supported the overall bill and urged its passage in the House. Lopes said that the bill, including its climate provisions, is intended to run in tandem with House Bill 5004 as part of broader and long-awaited effort to bolster the state's preparedness for climate change. The House bill, which was approved by members of that chamber earlier this month, is intended to set Connecticut on a path toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. John Moritz is a reporter for the Connecticut Mirror. Copyright 2025 @ CT Mirror (
Yahoo
16-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lawmakers push for ban on widely used household product that can poison children: 'We raised the alarm in 2013'
A toxin endangering public health could be on the way out in Connecticut, where lawmakers are pushing to restrict a common form of pest control. As detailed by CT News Junkie, lawmakers have introduced House Bill 6915 to limit the use and sale of second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, or SGARs. These powerful pesticides were developed after rodents became resistant to first-generation iterations, per the Environmental Protection Agency. They can remain in animal bodies for at least one week after ingestion and are known to kill bald eagles — a protected species that helps to control disease-carrying rodent populations. They can also poison children. In 2022, the American Association of Poison Control Centers documented more than 8,000 rodenticide ingestions, half of which occurred in children under six years old, according to the National Library of Medicine. "Second-generation rodenticides have unintended targets and unintended consequences. Beloved bald eagles fall prey to these poisons regularly. We must work with the pesticide community and farmers to explore alternatives. … There are other tools in the toolbox," state Sen. Christine Cohen said prior to a Feb. 19 public hearing on the matter, per CT News Junkie. At the hearing, advocates also raised the alarm about neonicotinoids — a deadly pesticide contributing to declining pollinator populations. According to the Department of Agriculture, approximately 35% of the food we eat depends on pollinators. "We raised the alarm in 2013 about declining insect populations and again in 2021 about losing 3 billion birds since 1970. Are we going to wait until our songbirds are on the brink of extinction?" said Joyce Leiz, the executive director of the Connecticut Audubon Society. Opponents of HB 6915 pointed out that pest management is a crucial service. Rep. Joe Gresko, who serves Stratford, agreed with the assessment but advocated for HB 6915, pointing to the need for "smarter solutions that don't cause unnecessary harm," per CT News Junkie. Gresko also noted how two spider monkeys at the Beardsley Zoo in Bridgeport died after eating poisoned rodents. At home, chemical-free versions of pest control can include trap crops and even dog fur from brushing your pet. Early returns suggest canine-led initiatives and trap plants are also effective for commercial operations, while emerging solutions include an X-ray-based approach. Do you worry about pesticides in your food? All the time Sometimes Not really I only eat organic Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "This isn't about inconveniencing anyone," Gresko added. "It's about making people aware of the impact these poisons have on our environment and animals, including pets." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Lawmakers consider Shoreline East funding, blood alcohol limits
HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) — In a lengthy public hearing, the legislature's Transportation Committee heard testimony on a wide-ranging agenda of proposed bills – including ones that would lower the state's legal blood alcohol content (BAC) limit and restore funding to the Shoreline East rail line. Special election results: Democrats hold House seat, GOP keeps Senate seat Effectively lowering the amount of alcohol that can be legally consumed before driving has been a long standing goal of the Transportation Committee's co-chair, State Sen. Christine Cohen. 'People are not as safe as they could be on our highways and we want to change that,' Cohen said – highlighting last year's grim roadway fatality figures. With Cohen and her co-chair, State Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo, at the helm, the Transportation Committee heard testimony in favor of the BAC change from a member of the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). While many members of the public know the NTSB from their role investigating high-profile aviation disasters, the federal agency is also considered a leading authority on all types of transportation safety issues – including highway safety. 'Research suggests that lowering the legal BAC limit to .05 will reduce fatal alcohol related crashes by an estimated 11%,' Thomas B. Chapman, an NTSB board member, said. But the efforts to lower the BAC have consistently met roadblocks in the legislature. Many legislators question the effectiveness of the measure. 'The deaths that we have had on the highway are completely unacceptable – I think there's other ways we can address it,' State Rep. Tom O'Dea, a Republican on the Transportation Committee, said. 'Going from .08 to .05 is not the answer in my humble opinion.' Lowering the BAC limit is not the only proposal pushed by Sen. Cohen that is facing headwinds in this legislative session. She's also advocating for a restoration of funds for the Shoreline East rail line – a move that would benefit many who use the line to travel between New Haven and New London. Cohen hails from Guilford and represents a district that spans the shoreline from East Haven to Madison, where she owns and operates a small business. 'Shoreline East was the only train line where we didn't bring train schedules back to where they were pre-pandemic and its the train line that has suffered the most as a result of that,' Cohen said. Restoring funding to pre-pandemic levels would require an increase of about $25 million, according to Cohen. Efforts to secure funding for the rail line have brought together a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers from the region. State Senate passes bill giving $40 million in funding for special education State Rep. Greg Howard, a Republican representing Stonington and North Stonington, noted that the rail line helps boost tourism along the shoreline – especially since many of the region's quaint communities do not have the road and parking infrastructure to comfortably accommodate a surge of visitors. 'By restoring funding to Shoreline East, it would alleviate sort of that traffic congestion down there,' Howard said. 'It's a lot safer and will hopefully bring more people to the area, which obviously fuels the local economy but also brings revenue to the state as well.' But O'Dea questioned the high subsidies required to keep the line running. He referenced a study that placed the subsidy around $50 per passenger, and contrasted that with another estimate that places the state subsidy for the New Canaan Branch of Metro North at just a few dollars per passenger. His district includes New Canaan, Darien and Stamford – with many of his constituents regularly utilizing the New Canaan Branch line to commute to New York City via the New Haven mainline. 'When you're looking at a subsidy that's $45 more – per person, per direction, per ride – that's tough to justify from a financial standpoint,' O'Dea said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
