Connecticut's Environmental Right Amendment - We Have Questions
Connecticut legislators have introduced an environmental rights amendment, proposing new “inherent, inalienable, and indefeasible” rights to the state constitution. The proposed amendment states that each Connecticut resident shall have the “individual right to clean and healthy air, water, soil and environment; a stable climate; and self-sustaining ecosystems,” with the justification the ‘rights’ are for the safety and general welfare of the public.
RThe amendment is incredibly vague, leaving room for a substantial abuse of power and the heavy hand of government to implement laws and regulations that dictate how Connecticut residents can spend their money and resources. Questions have been pouring in from voters from every corner of the state. They are educated on the current amendment language and see through it. The people who put you in office demand answers!
NEW CONSTITUENT QUESTIONS HAVE BEEN ADDED FOR YOUR REVIEW ON HOUSE JOIN RESOLUTION NO. 37
QUESTION NO. 32
“If I have a fire in my backyard could the Eco police come with a bucket of water and a citation?”
QUESTION NO. 31
“Define climate? Define a stable climate? Connecticut has no self-contained climate.”
QUESTION NO. 30
“How does this amendment not violate the U.S. Constitution’s Fourth and Fifth Amendment?”
QUESTION NO. 29
“If the trustee in this case is the State, explain how this amendment does not constitute a de facto eminent domain seizure of private property?”
QUESTION NO. 28
“Who will be the judge and jury of these laws, a governor appointed committee (non-elected representatives)?”
QUESTION NO. 27
“How much is this going to cost?”
QUESTION NO. 26
“Will this infringe on my use of personal property?”
QUESTION NO. 25
“Will the state be dictating how I can use my land?”
QUESTION NO. 24
“Does this amendment give the state the ability to override our Fourth Amendment rights?”
QUESTION NO. 23
“How does this amendment affect our property rights as protected by the US Constitution?”
QUESTION NO. 22
“Can you site a case where increased spending by any government body made a significant improvement in environmental rights and overall ecosystem?”
QUESTION NO. 21
“Will additional taxes be levied under this banner for “environmental rights”?”
QUESTION NO. 20
“Will they be able to sue businesses that emit GHG’s and other forms of pollution?”
QUESTION NO. 19
“Will this give private citizens the right to sue the state for failure to enforce healthy water and air for all?”
QUESTION NO. 18
“Will the government restrict the use of all gas-powered utilities like stoves, lawnmowers, and cars?”
QUESTION NO. 17
“Is this the State designating itself as having the authority to impede my personal rights for something that’s vague and unenforceable?”
QUESTION NO. 16
“Who makes the determination on what is allowable and what is not allowable?”
QUESTION NO. 15
“Will we see national environmental groups and powerful lawyers taking jurisdiction over businesses or water pollution control facilities?”
QUESTION NO. 14
“If this is passed, who will police it?”
QUESTION NO. 13
“Can my neighbor sue me or be entitled to something from me if they feel I’m somehow polluting their space?”
QUESTION NO. 12
“I am having a BBQ in my backyard and my neighbor says that I am “polluting their air” as the smoke is coming onto their property, how is that handled?”
QUESTION NO. 11
“How does the government guarantee a right to clean and healthy air and a stable climate?”
QUESTION NO. 10
“What is Connecticut going to do about potentially toxic waste from the disposal of solar panels?”
QUESTION NO. 9
“Will the government be able to restrict outdoor cooking, fire features, and scouting campfires?”
QUESTION NO. 8
”Will the government impose usage tax on gas powered automobiles or ban them all together?
QUESTION NO. 7
How, precisely, is Connecticut going to guarantee a ‘stable climate’?”
QUESTION NO. 6
”Will the government enforce rules on gas-powered leaf blowers, lawn equipment, or even gas stoves?”
QUESTION NO. 5
“What does a ‘stable climate’ and ‘self-sustaining ecosystems’ mean and how will we know if we’ve achieved them?”
QUESTION NO. 4
“Will the government be able to restrict how long I’m allowed to water my lawn?”
QUESTION NO. 3
Is the intent of ‘self-sustaining ecosystems’ to be a lack of biodiversity? To halt the movement of people, animals, and plants?”
QUESTION NO. 2
“What do we mean by clean air and clean water? If areas do not achieve those benchmarks, what will be done? Or what will happen to people living in areas that over-achieve those goals?”
QUESTION NO. 1
Will the government be able to restrict wood burning and pellet stoves used to heat homes? The EPA has set it’s sights on wood furnaces.”
Now is your opportunity to ease their concerns!
Submit your response and we will make sure voters know you took the time to answer their questions.