Connecticut Governor Ned Lamont still wants his highway toll proposal. Lamont is negotiating with Democrats on a scaled-back toll plan for trucks only and on select bridges that need repair.
Lamont says to win Democratic lawmaker support for tolls he’s willing to exceed his so-called debt diet by bonding an additional $300 million a year, as long as $100 million goes to transportation infrastructure.
“If bonding is going to be part of the solution, I’ll consider that part of a compromise. Yes.”
Senate President Martin Looney says it’s a good start.
“I have no problem with 100 million, but a lot of our members have a problem with cutting 100 million out of the priorities that have been established by the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.”
Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano says $100 million in bonding is nowhere near what the state needs for transportation.
Republicans propose borrowing $700 million with no tolls.
The additional $300 million would increase state borrowing to $1.6 billion a year.
