Environmentalists Advocate for Constitutional Amendment at Friends of CT State Parks Day

Hartford – Senator Kevin Witkos (R-Canton) joined environmental advocates at the state Capitol on April 5 to urge support for legislation to protect state owned open space. The resolution, proposed by Sen. Witkos, would establish a constitutional amendment to protect Connecticut’s parks, forests and other conservation land and open space from being sold or given away without proper public input and oversight. The same legislation passed the General Assembly last year, and must gain legislative approval again this year to make it on to the ballot for Connecticut voters to ultimately decide whether the constitution is amended.

“Connecticut is a beautiful state. But if that beauty is not protected, it will not last forever,” said Sen. Witkos. “In recent years, we have seen instances of protected land being sold by the state without proper public discussion and assessment of such sales. Lawmakers need to take steps to reassure the public that we are committed to protecting the environment. We also need to make sure those protections are guaranteed for our children and our children’s children.”

For more information on Senate Joint Resolution No. 39 visit: https://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/cgabillstatus/cgabillstatus.asp?selBillType=Bill&which_year=2017&bill_num=SJ+39.

 Deputy Senate Republican President Pro Tempore Kevin Witkos represents the 8th District communities of Avon, Simsbury, Canton, New Hartford, Norfolk, Simsbury & Torrington. For more information visit www.senatorwitkos.com.