Are UFOs out there? Some CT lawmakers want to find out
Supporters insist the bill is about protecting Connecticut's skies, not "aliens or little green men."
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Some Connecticut lawmakers want to know if we are alone out in the universe.
On Wednesday, a key budget panel advanced legislation studying “unidentified aerial phenomena,” or UAPs.
Supporters insisted it’s not about “little green men,” but about safety.
STUDYING UNIDENTIFIED AIRCRAFT
Do you think UFOs are out there?
“I haven’t seen any,” said Robert Christmas, of Norwalk. “Does that mean I believe in them? You never know.”
On Wednesday, the General Assembly’s Appropriations Committee approved a bill directing the Connecticut Academy of Science and Engineering to partner with the Office of Military Affairs and the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection to study UAPs. The legislation originally designated the University of Connecticut to do the work.
“This isn’t necessarily about aliens or little green men or, you know, the sort of content in various movies like 'Independence Day,’” said the bill’s sponsor, state Rep. Joe Hoxha (R-Bristol).
MYSTERY DRONES
In fact, Hoxha and others said the real concern is mysterious drones like the ones people reported all over Connecticut and the Northeast two years ago.
“There was a lot of concern about drones near military bases. There was a lot of concern about drones near government facilities,” said state Rep. Tammy Nuccio (R-Tolland). “And nobody had any explanations.”
New Jersey just set aside $2.5 million to research unidentified aerial phenomena. Several universities are already working on it.
“A lot of students and faculty are interested in this topic,” Sri Tata, a doctoral student at Yale University, told lawmakers. “There are initiatives, for example, in nearby states, like the Galileo Project at Harvard. There's UAPX at the University of Albany and professors at Wellesley University in Massachusetts.”
“WASTE OF MONEY”
But some people aren’t convinced.
“The word ‘drone’ they could study. UFOs, it would be a waste of time,” said Christmas.
“Waste of money. Plain and simple,” added Mike Flaherty, of Norwalk. “We’ve got a lot better things to spend our money on.”
Even if the legislation passes, it may not go very far. Lawmakers did not include any money for it in their budget proposal.
