Editor’s note: this story has been updated with an additional quote from Representative Dominique Johnson.

By Mark Pazniokas, CT Mirror, with additional reporting by Westport Journal.

Governor Ned Lamont ended nearly three weeks of public rumination and private negotiation about the fate of an omnibus housing bill Monday, siding with suburban opponents and Republican legislators who had urged a veto of the measure as an intrusion into local zoning.

Lamont, a Democrat whose overwhelming reelection in 2022 came on the strength of suburban support, praised the goals behind House Bill 5002 and decried much of the opposition as based on misrepresentations, yet he ultimately bowed to those concerns.

“I think we can make it better. I think the only way to really make it work is if you have buy-in from the local communities. And I think the vast majority of those communities want to do the right thing,” Lamont told reporters in a press conference in his office at the state Capitol.

His public skepticism about House Bill 5002, a measure his administration helped negotiate, was recent and unexpected. It blossomed since the legislature adjourned June 4, and opponents led by CT169Strong and the conservative Yankee Institute raised alarms and urged local officials to demand a veto.

“There are about 2,000 bills, and I focus on probably a half dozen,” Lamont said, responding to questions pressing him to explain his short path from support for a priority of the legislature’s Democratic majority to a veto demanded by its GOP minority. “I probably should have focused on this one sooner.”

HB 5002 was drawn to address a critical housing shortage by requiring municipalities to set “fair share” goals for affordable housing, prioritizing state aid to communities that build housing, and streamlining approval for so-called “middle housing,” defined as a building with two to nine units.

Lamont said the community-by-community “fair share” goals for affordable housing were “a planning document,” not a mandate as opponents claimed, yet those false claims contributed to his veto decision.

“I think this, you know, crossed the line for a lot of folks, in particular, when it comes to dictating or suggesting the number of units you ought to have,” Lamont said. He clarified the bill does not dictate the number of units a community should produce.

Westport’s Hartford legislators weighed in on the veto. 

Jonathan Steinberg, Democrat and CT House District 136 representative, voted against the bill. Steinberg said “I support Lamont’s action. Everyone agrees we need more affordable housing all across Connecticut and all across the country. And, in Westport, the lack of affordable housing is impeding our ability to attract talent.”

Ceci Maher, Democrat and CT Senator representing District 26, voted for the bill. Maher: “I spoke with Governor Lamont today and told him I will work with him, and all interested parties, to craft a housing bill in the fall that everyone can get behind.  According to the CT Business Industry Association (CBIA) Connecticut needs housing, it is the number one issue for our economy and has a direct correlation to bringing down costs for residents. I remain committed to the work on this important issue.”

Dominique Johnson, Democrat and CT House District 143 Representative, said: “I have hope that we will emerge from the veto with a stronger bill. The original draft of 5002 was made better by further collaboration with a variety of stakeholders, but ultimately the Governor wanted additional revisions. And from all indications this work together will continue. It has been incredibly helpful to hear from Westporters who hold views from all sides of this important issue. Their feedback and partnership will make this process even better, so I definitely want to encourage everyone to continue sharing their ideas for what they want to see in the future.”

Governor Lamont is expected to call the legislature back into session in September, in part to take another stab at crafting a housing bill that enjoys greater support.