WTNH News Channel 8 / News / 1999

	Several lawmakers push to revoke Long Wharf mall funding (New Haven-WTNH) _ The proposed Long Wharf Galleria in New Haven could be facing an assault by state senators. There's talk of taking back the money which had already been approved by the state legislature. That's $28 million in state funding. News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports. An intense lobbying campaign and nasty public relations battle over the New Haven galleria is about to get even nastier and even more intense. Opponents to the Long Wharf mall project want to yank taxpayer funding of the mall. They have launched a behind the scenes effort to introduce legislation to make that happen. Sen William Aniskovitch, R-Branford: "I think clearly with the kind of momentum questioning the funding there's a real possibility of legislation at this point." A majority of senators have already signed an opposition letter to the Connecticut Development Authority. The CDA has the final approval of the 28 million taxpayer dollars earmarked for the project. However, there's been no formal talks and nothing's been filed yet. If the state senate moves on this, it has to move within the next month. June 9th is the end of the legislative session. The general assembly would also have to approve any amendment revoking the state funding. Mayor John DeStefano knows he has a tough fight on his hands. Mayor John DeStefano, D-New Haven: "I'll predict even though the general assembly won't approve it, and we'll get our permits and approvals. I'll bet lunch that they will sue trying to stop us." Mayor DeStefano is referring to the Westfield Corporation which owns several malls in Connecticut. Westfield is a major contributor to a group opposing the proposed long wharf mall - called Save Our Downtown Alliance. According the financial statements filed with the state ethics commission, Save Our Downtown Alliance spent $26,095 in April on a media blitz including radio ads. It also spent $54,772 in office and salary expenses, bringing the total for the month April to $80,867. Again, the state legislature earmarked the taxpayer funds last year. Any effort to take that back has to be done before the end of the legislative session on June 9th. The vote by the CDA is scheduled on June 16th. If the CDA votes 'yes' then it's extremely doubtful the legislature would reverse that decision. Today's News Page. WTNH Home Page. ©1999 WTNH/WTNH-DT A LIN station.

Several lawmakers push to revoke Long Wharf mall funding
(New Haven-WTNH) _ The proposed Long Wharf Galleria in New Haven could be facing an assault by state senators. There's talk of taking back the money which had already been approved by the state legislature. That's $28 million in state funding.
News Channel 8's Judy Chong reports.

An intense lobbying campaign and nasty public relations battle over the New Haven galleria is about to get even nastier and even more intense. Opponents to the Long Wharf mall project want to yank taxpayer funding of the mall. They have launched a behind the scenes effort to introduce legislation to make that happen.

Sen William Aniskovitch, R-Branford: "I think clearly with the kind of momentum questioning the funding there's a real possibility of legislation at this point."

A majority of senators have already signed an opposition letter to the Connecticut Development Authority. The CDA has the final approval of the 28 million taxpayer dollars earmarked for the project.

However, there's been no formal talks and nothing's been filed yet. If the state senate moves on this, it has to move within the next month. June 9th is the end of the legislative session. The general assembly would also have to approve any amendment revoking the state funding. Mayor John DeStefano knows he has a tough fight on his hands.

Mayor John DeStefano, D-New Haven: "I'll predict even though the general assembly won't approve it, and we'll get our permits and approvals. I'll bet lunch that they will sue trying to stop us."

Mayor DeStefano is referring to the Westfield Corporation which owns several malls in Connecticut. Westfield is a major contributor to a group opposing the proposed long wharf mall - called Save Our Downtown Alliance. According the financial statements filed with the state ethics commission, Save Our Downtown Alliance spent $26,095 in April on a media blitz including radio ads. It also spent $54,772 in office and salary expenses, bringing the total for the month April to $80,867.

Again, the state legislature earmarked the taxpayer funds last year. Any effort to take that back has to be done before the end of the legislative session on June 9th. The vote by the CDA is scheduled on June 16th. If the CDA votes 'yes' then it's extremely doubtful the legislature would reverse that decision.

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