Labriola Pushes for Pro-Economic Development measure

Bill would reduce restrictions on development at state-owned airports

HARTFORD- State Representative David Labriola has sponsored legislation this session that would exempt certain privately funded development at state-owned airports from environmental impact studies. The bill, SB 264, would remove the necessity for costly and time-consuming studies that are counterproductive to economic development needs, particularly in an ailing economy.

Labriola, who has co-sponsored the legislation with Senator Rob Kane (R-Oxford), noted that that construction is scheduled to begin on a $33 million hangar project at the Waterbury-Oxford Airport. The project will create over 200 construction jobs and create 300 new aviation positions within three years.

Labriola provided testimony to the legislature’s Environment Committee today on the bill told the members that passage of this measure would help make job-creating projects like the one at the Waterbury-Oxford Airport a reality, and provide a much-needed economic boost to the region.

“A CEPA study for such a project is simply not necessary,” said Labriola. CEPA land use policies have little relevance to facilities which are already dedicated to the growth of aviation services on airports that have already received FAA subsidies. My primary concern is that the loss of time will be harmful to this development.”

This session of the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight on June 3, 2009.