My Legislative Priorities in 2023

February 17, 2023
The past six weeks have been so exciting as I'm working with my colleagues for the first time in the state legislature. I am learning all about the legislative process while coming together to form bills that will make our communities better. I want to share some of my top priorities with you in this legislative session.
WILDLIFE FEEDING BILL
One proposal aims to protect humans, bears, and pets.

First, the issue of how to address our ever-growing bear population is the subject of many different legislative proposals this year. Simsbury was at the forefront of addressing this problem and proactively passed a local ordinance designed to curb human bear interactions and bear population growth.  

I'm proud to have introduced a statewide bill that closely mirrors our Simsbury approach and calls for banning the intentional feeding of all wildlife, which includes putting an end to filling bird feeders with food that bears consume. The bill also aims to crack down on improper storage of food and garbage. My neighbors and I advocated for the passage of these rules in the town of Simsbury after a coyote attack on my dog, Boone, and now I'm looking to expand them to the entire state.
PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT
Second, I introduced House Bill 5592, a proposal to protect old-growth and mature forests in Connecticut. Under the proposal, we would identify, manage, and protect those forests which provide disproportionate ecological benefits by storing exponentially more carbon and producing more oxygen than younger trees. Old Growth forests are home to complex biodiversity which cannot be replaced by merely replacing a lost mature tree with a newly planted tree.

The bill also includes creating a system to report and inform the General Assembly about the health of local old-growth forests and progress on the plan to protect them. I, and several constituents and supporters of HB 5592, testified in front of the Environmental Committee yesterday in support of this Old Growth forest proposal.  You can watch my testimony below.
Rep. Osborne breaks down the importance of protecting old-growth forests.
 
HOME OWNERSHIP HELP
Help is on the way for some people who are looking buy a home in this challenging housing market. The Connecticut Housing Finance Authority (CHFA) is offering to help with your down payment as part of the "Time To Own" Program if you are a first time home owner or if you are looking to purchase in a High Opportunity Zone – including Simsbury.

The program may provide financing to cover up to 20% down payment and up to 5% closing costs. Click here to learn how to apply, to see the benefits, and to get a breakdown of the eligibility requirements.