Governor Ned Lamont and Connecticut legislative leaders are yet to agree on a plan to fund his 10-year transportation infrastructure proposal. Highway tolls remain the issue. They met at the governor’s residence on Tuesday.
Lamont had proposed tolls on all vehicles on 14 bridges to help pay for his plan. He came out of the meeting in support of the House Democrats’ alternative of a commercial truck-only toll on 12 bridges.
“We have a credible plan to fix it that doesn’t raid the rainy day fund. And I think that’s what we should start with.”
Senate Republicans have a no-tolls alternative that requires using $1.5 billion from the rainy day fund.
House Republican Leader Themis Klarides says her caucus is open to discuss limiting the use of the rainy day fund as long as tolls are not the basis for transportation funding.
“The problem is they are still stuck in their thought process on tolls. And we do not think that is anything that we can ever support.”
All sides agree they have to try and reach an agreement before the regular legislative session begins next year.
