Candidates concerned about eviction moratorium, taxes
Many in real estate industry see crisis ahead
In a legislative update and meet- the- candidates forum the Eastern Connecticut Association of Realtors held virtually Wednesday morning, the New England political representative for the National Association of Realtors, plus multiple Connecticut General Assembly candidates, voiced concern about rental relief and a looming eviction crisis.
Kristian Hoysradt of the National Association of Realtors said Wednesday a quarter of NAR membership owns or manages rental properties and “we’re not talking about big, corporate landlords here; we’re talking about everyday people.”
“There is a great concern among our industry that an eviction crisis is looming and we could have some major problems in January,” he said, considering the eviction moratorium ends Dec. 31.
Hoysradt detailed the unsuccessful efforts in Congress to pass a fourth coronavirus relief package, noting various proposals ranged from including $100 billion in rental assistance — “which NAR liked,” he said — to nothing.
He isn’t optimistic about a relief bill passing before the election. But he did note the government funding bill includes a one-year extension of the National Flood Insurance Program, which he called “a huge victory for Realtors to bring stability to that market.”
Rep. Joe Courtney, D-2nd District, said rental assistance is stuck in negotiations and Congress needs to make sure landlords don’t end up being the bill-payer for billions of dollars in unpaid back rent.
His Republican opponent, Justin Anderson, said rental assistance has been on his mind for quite some time, as well as crumbling foundations. Anderson and state legislature candidates each had two minutes to talk.
“While I understand the purpose of the moratorium on evictions, it is, quite honestly, affecting landlords.
Some of these privileges are being abused, and landlords are feeling the brunt of it,” said Rep. Kevin Ryan, D-Montville.
Robert Bell, the Republican running against Rep. Emmett Riley, D-Norwich, and a Realtor since 2009, said officials need to start the conversation now on providing landlords relief “so that we don’t effect a higher market crash later down the road.”
Steve Weir, the Republican running against Sen. Cathy Osten, D- Sprague, noted he was a licensed Realtor in the early 2000s, “so I understand many of the challenges you are facing,” and talked about watching property taxes go up over the past 20 years.
Osten touted her sponsorship of a bill putting aside $50 million for pipeline programs for job training, something on which Rep. Holly Cheeseman, R- East Lyme, commended her. Cheeseman said the state needs to stop adding unfunded mandates to municipalities, as they drive up property taxes, and to “stop treating every business as if they’re a large corporation.”
Rep. Christine Conley, D- Groton; Rep. Kate Rotella, D-Mystic; and Rep. Mike France, R-Ledyard, all spoke about the importance of working together, such as to create a friendlier business climate.
Conley’s Republican challenger, Lauren Gauthier, questioned what the state can do to keep the people who moved from New York to Connecticut here after the pandemic.
Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, voiced her concerns about high property taxes and about the rental moratorium coming to an end, as landlords “are being stretched to the point of bankruptcy.” Democratic opponent Bob Statchen noted as a law professor, he stresses to his students the importance of the work of Realtors.
Sen. Paul Formica, R-East Lyme, said there’s a lot of work to be done around energy, as it “is a very significant cost to business, and it is a concern to residents when they come here.”
Rep. Kathleen McCarty, R-Waterford, said she worked hard last session to maintain local control of schools, amid a push for regionalization.
Kat Goulart, the Republican running against Rep. Anthony Nolan, D-New London, emphasized making improvements in public safety and growing the economy of New London.
Outside of the elections The Day is covering, the ECAR meeting also included remarks from Sen. Dan Champagne, R-Vernon; Rep. Pat Wilson Pheanious, D-Ashford; and Rep. Brian Lanoue, R-Griswold.
Connecticut Association of Realtors incoming President Carol Christiansen gave an update at the beginning, noting the issues the group focused on this year include property tax reform, funding deteriorating transportation infrastructure, conveyance taxes and attracting businesses to Connecticut.