By Kathy Kennedy
State Rep., R-119
Kathy Kennedy
When the legislative session ended on June 5, legislative Democrats and the governor promised a special session on tolls due to the lack of time, which really meant lack of votes. Gov. Lamont’s 50-gantry plan just did not have the support or votes in the General Assembly, whether it was in regular or a special session.
After taking the summer to huddle, the governor finally unveiled his new toll plan on Nov. 7.
The plan would implement so-called “temporary tolls” on state highway bridges. Tolls would be collected through 14 electronic gantries and fees would range from 50 cents to $1 for cars, $1.25 to $2.50 for medium-sized trucks, and $3.50 to $7 for heavy trucks.
The new $256 million temporary toll tax for in-state commuters, in addition to the $140 million collected from out-of-state commuters, would generate revenue collected that would go toward paying off loans for transportation projects. Of course, this assumes the toll rates would stay the same and not be hiked for more revenue in the future.
According to the plan, the borrowing term is 27 years, and because the plan calls for borrowing in the plan’s tenth year, that means we’d have tolls for a minimum of 37 years. I do not view 37 years as temporary.
Overall, this plan calls for $14.2 billion to be spent on roads and bridges and $7.1 billion on public transportation systems, including $6.2 billion on rail.
The communities I represent encompass both I-95 and the Merritt Parkway, and while I firmly believe Connecticut needs a state transportation plan and vision for the future with project priorities, I oppose any plan that calls for the establishment of tolls on Connecticut roads.
The message I get every day in Milford and Orange is that people do not trust government. What they say it will cost taxpayers today will only be the tip of the iceberg. No one believes in temporary tolls, no one believes it will be just 14 toll gantries and no one believes the fares will stay at one level.
This leads me to the annual state bonding package, which has been delayed for months as the governor continues to push for tolls. There is speculation the governor is holding back bonding, including local town/road aid for road repair, tree trimming and winter snow removal, in an effort to win more votes for tolls. The state borrows the $60 million annually, giving towns half in July and half in January.
The City of Milford and the Town of Orange rely on receiving these state bond dollars each year. This state funding should have been received by July 1.
Milford is owed a promise of over $2.3 million in bonding and Orange is waiting for state funds to the tune of almost $500,000. To date, not a single cent of this promised revenue has made its way to our communities.
This is inexcusable! No municipality’s state funding should be held hostage.
I call on the governor and legislature to release the money promised to our local communities by calling the legislature into a special session and to have the legislature vote on a state bond package for our towns as quickly as possible.
Our residents and businesses rely on state government to fulfill its promise in providing financial funding for local projects. It is critical that our towns receive this necessary funding, as they work hard to maintain balanced budgets and provide critical services to residents without any additional hikes in property taxes.
As always, please contact me should you have any questions about these topics or concerns on any other issues relating to state government at Kathy.Kennedy@housegop.ct.gov or 800-842-1423.