A bill reforming the state's affordable housing system was approved by the General Assembly and awaits Governor Malloy's signature. 

Senator Tony Hwang, whose district includes Newtown, says the statutory reform will bring greater access and inventory of workforce and affordable housing.  But he says it will also allow more local zoning and planning input so projects are compatible with community character and zoning statutes. 

Wilton Senator Toni Boucher says municipalities need to be able to control their own destiny and shape how developments impact communities.  She notes that these sometimes controversial development projects often change the town’s character and disrupts neighborhoods because zoners can only reject them if they represent a threat to public health and safety.