Posted on 04/26/2017 8:06:55 AM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
HARTFORD – Toll talk is back at the State Capitol. Some lawmakers say it will drive billions into the state over the next two decades and others want to put the brakes on the idea.
At a hearing, Monday, the proposal to bring electronic tolls to Connecticut highways was discussed, with public comment both for and against it.
State accountants said the way Connecticut funds transportation will no longer be sustainable in the next four years and a new revenue source is needed.
“This doesn't make any sense at all," State Sen. Toni Boucher said. "This is just another name for another tax on a beleaguered Connecticut that's taxed to the hilt."
There is growing support among those who feel the measure may have a real chance of passing.
“As we all know, nobody likes to pay a toll but what are our options?” Connecticut Construction Industries Association President Don Shubert said. “Our options are increasing the gas tax or increasing some of the existing revenue streams and with tolls you get the added benefit of out-of-state drivers are going to start paying for the wear and tear that they’re putting on Connecticut roads.”
The senate is proposing a so-called lockbox amendment to use toll dollars on transportation only.
“If we get the lockbox passed and that goes in front of the voters, then I think there’s other conversations to be had about revenue from the standpoint of ensuring that if a dollar goes to transportation it's put in that lockbox and is actually for fixing our roads, rails, bridges and our trains and buses,” State Sen. Bob Duff said.
The bill presented at Monday’s public hearing would allow the Department of Transportation to work with the federal government to explore ways to build, collect and maintain electronic tolling.
If tolls were to return, they would not require toll plazas, but rather be through an EZ Pass type system with overhead collection receivers.
An idea to bring tolls back to the state has been raised for several years since the system was removed after a fatal accident in Stratford in 1983.
Given the current economic climate in the state, many at the Capitol expressed the belief that tolls could become a reality on Connecticut highways.
The bill is still being revised and a final vote could happen in May.
Little Cali of the East
Explain to me exactly why people who have paid large fuel and other taxes to build the Federal Interstate Highway system should now be taxed again for the dubious privilege of using them?
On the other hand, they wouldn’t need new tolls if they cut spending by eliminating programs the government has no business funding.
Nah!
That would never work...
/s
Malloy’s final parting shot at the state that he has ruined?
I remember Connecticut’s unofficial nickname, the Toll Booth State. In fact a couple of the original toll booths from the late 30’s that were on the Merritt Pkwy have been restored and placed in the Smithsonian as “architectural gems”. Usually I don’t mind paying REASONABLE tolls, they are in a sense a user fee. As long as that $$$ really does go towards maintenance and improvements as needed. And if, AND ONLY IF income and property taxes are drastically reduced.
Their ultimate goal is to strap a GPS-enabled EZ Pass onto every car and charge you for every mile you drive.
Why don’t they try their lock box on the existing gasoline taxes first?
The better to track you with, my dear.
Freedom of movement? What's that?
They already charge me for every mile I drive by way of all the gas tax I pay per gallon.
The more I drive, the more gas I need, the more gas tax I pay.
I hate this state.
Lived through CT toll booths. Had enough.
Now going 75 through Texas tollbooths that charge cents. Happy enough.
Try doing what the rest of the country does, CUT YOUR EXPENSES. Quit spending beyond your (taxpayer) means.
New taxes NEVER go away. By design. Drip, drip, drip.....
I didn’t even know they had tolls on that road. That must have been a nightmare.
Long haul truckers will just drive through this state and fill up in the next one because our gas prices are so high.
BTW, I hate the idea of tolls or any other taxes. They raised the gas tax when they closed the toll booths after a deadly accident at one of them. So now when they open the toll booths again, are they going to lower the gas tax?
I can’t believe I still live here. It was a decent state when I moved in 11 years ago, but yikes!
Where to? Texas? The Carolinas? Florida or Georgia (Savannah)?
I’m from CT and my first trip to Houston this year drove me crazy—it seems like a toll a mile!
Nothing these politicians do in Connecticut can be trusted.”Locked Box”My A$$.
All they know in Connecticut is how to waste money on worthless highway projects and Social spending on new imported third world parasites.
That toll money may stay in that “Locked Box”for a few years
Untill the state discovers the money the expected from the Indian Casino’s doesn’t show up do to competition from Casino’s in Massachusetts and New York.
Connecticut is well screwed thank you.
I feel the same way.... retiring in 2 years and first thing I'm doing is dumping my beautiful house that I cannot afford the taxes on, and starting over where I can! Even my Dem friends can't wait to get out of here — and honestly, that says a lot — since normally they're perfectly happy making excuses for our incompetent state government.For CT’s sake, I can only hope that continues, but we're out of here in 2 years!
Houston is daunting, for sure, especially first time. Lived in FF County, worked in The City and Stamford - was so sick of playing the lottery between I-95 and the Merritt.
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