like it would actually goto road maintenance, it'd go into the general fund to pay for everything BUT!
Posted on 06/25/2019 1:11:05 PM PDT by Tolerance Sucks Rocks
Cash-strapped Connecticut is grappling with how to pay for transportation investments to prevent more than half of its roads and highways from falling into disrepair in the next decade.
The answer, according to Gov. Ned Lamont’s administration, is highway tolls.
Like most states in the Northeast, Connecticut previously used highway tolls to raise revenue. The state removed all tolls in the 1980s following a crash at a toll plaza that killed seven people.
Now Mr. Lamont, a Democrat, is attempting to persuade a skeptical state Legislature to bring them back. Lawmakers declined to vote on tolls during this year’s legislative session, but the governor said he is confident the measure would get a vote during a special session, which hasn’t been scheduled. Mr. Lamont plans to meet with legislative leaders in July to continue making the case for tolls, his office said.
“I don’t think anybody’s arguing against the need for infrastructure investment,” said Joe Giulietti, commissioner of the state’s Department of Transportation, who supports tolls. “It’s all an argument over how that infrastructure investment is going to be paid.”
The state currently needs $1.2 billion annually for upkeep alone, officials said. And Connecticut’s special transportation fund, which is supported with gas taxes, is projected to begin running deficits starting in fiscal year 2022 if it keeps on its current path.
That fund’s dire condition is another symptom of Connecticut’s fiscal struggles as the state continues its weak recovery from the last economic downturn. The dispute over tolls also demonstrates the breadth of the political divide over how to get the state back on track.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
like it would actually goto road maintenance, it'd go into the general fund to pay for everything BUT!
LOL
You know me, I’ll drive 30 miles out of way to avoid a toll; especially one paid to CT.
Haven’t used theole EZ-Pass in a few years. Heh.
Hey! The snow has finally melted in the ravines on the Summit this week; winter must be over. :P
Gotta keep the Tomassos in the black.
Is his limo exempt?
Forbes
I had no idea that NYC had either of those .
People from NYC MOVED TO CONNECTICUT because...
DeplorableAmerican left Connecticut in 2004, the state is beautiful, but once the income tax came in...Hartford spent it and more...
And now United Technologies will be moving to Boston... thanks Connecticut...
Colt and Ruger ought to split too.
100%
“..When Congress created the Interstate Highway System in 1956, states were prohibited from tolling the interstates..”
As I recall illannoy had tolls from the get go. Supposed to pay off the bond matching funds by early 80’s. However, they were such a rich source of revenues, patronage jobs, clouted Chicago contractors, etc that they have been perpetuated.
Connecticut in the 70s were business friendly. Headquarters were moving in and we had manufacturing plants. In the 1970, the Dems passed an income tax...it was repealed when Thomas Meskill became governor. Democrats were as conservative as Republicans (my friend’s mom was a state representative and the my state senator was a businessman. They were different parties.. friend’s mom was a R, the State Senator was a D, now liberals of both parties are ruining Connecticut, thou the Republicans are waking up...
Roger toll avoidance driving!
If the snow has melted in Mt. Washington ravines, you may get a Spring Real Soon Now!
Yet, I'm still wearing fleece clothing. Go figure. A bit thicker material for the hungry mosquitoes to bite thru, I guess.
Blackfly season must be around the corner.
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