NEWINGTON - Pledges to oppose new taxes from Hartford and protect local control in the realm of economic development, as well as an announced Connecticut Independent Party endorsement, headlined a brief statement made by 27th Assembly District incumbent Gary Byron at a Thursday night meet and greet.

       Byron, who is running for a second term in the legislature, billed the event-held last Thursday night at the firehouse on Main Street-as a chance for voters to discuss various state and local issues with him. He kept the event informal, getting up to speak during the last 10 minutes or so.

       Byron is challenged by current Board of Education member and attorney Josh Shulman.

       Byron’s first two years in Hartford have included the passage of two bills-one to increase the penalties for animal cruelty, and the other to establish a task force to examine the issue of hoarding-which is rare for first time legislators.

       â€�"They said ‘don’t even try to pass any bills-they probably won’t even get called’,” Byron told his audience. â€�"Of course, I like that challenge.”

       Byron reminded event goers of his staunch opposition to a controversial Governor’s bill that sought to establish a Transit Corridor Authority to work with towns on transit-oriented development.

       The issue first emerged when current Town Councilor and former Town Planning and Zoning Commission Vice Chair Carol Anest brought the proposed legislation-then a House Bill-to her fellow commissioners two years ago.

       The initial concern was over a provision that gave the Authority-to be a quasi-public agency-the power of condemnation, or eminent domain.

       Although the provision was stripped from a later version of the bill, opposition remained. An added slew of amendments eventually bogged the bill down, and it was never called, Byron said.

       The proposal returned last year in the form of Senate Bill 19-written similar to the second version of the previous year’s House Bill. Proponents of the legislation countered claims of threats to municipal autonomy, saying that the Authority would act only at the request of local governments, and would not override their zoning regulations.

       The bill was designed as a means for municipalities to gain guidance in planning and executing TOD-a task that requires a wide array of expertise that not all towns and cities have, said Office of Policy Management spokesman Gian-Carl Casa last year.

       While the stripping of condemnation powers was an improvement, the bill remained problematic due to â€�"ambiguity” relating to a municipality’s ability to opt out of an existing agreement with the Authority, Byron said.

       â€�"That wasn’t good enough for me,” he said.

       So last year, Byron negotiated an agreement with OPM to have Newington exempt from the bill if it passed.

       â€�"Of course, I’d rather just kill it,” Byron said.

       The bill ultimately failed to pass for the second time. As for the exemption, Byron said that he â€�"would fight for that deal again”, should the issue reemerge.

       As for municipalities that were looking to use the Authority, the state should consider establishing a pilot program, Byron said.

       Byron, a local business owner, has been outspoken about the state’s tax structure and infamous business climate.

       Among his local initiatives has been a small business owner’s think tank that meets monthly to discuss their needs and craft proposed changes.

       â€�"We have a serious issue, and that is job growth,” Byron said. â€�"How can we be on any corporation’s radar if we cannot retain the corporations we have?”