Governor Ned Lamont hopes a caucus meeting of Connecticut lawmakers Tuesday will finally pave the way for a vote on his long-stalled transportation infrastructure plan.
Lamont has had a hard time getting enough lawmaker support for his $21 billion plan because it includes tolls.
He introduced the initial plan in the spring. By the fall, Lamont had embraced the House Democrats’ revision of his plan.
The revision reduced the number of highway tolls to 12, only on bridges and only on big trucks. Lamont says he’s confident that version will win the support of both the House and Senate Democratic caucuses and that there will be a vote in the General Assembly in the next 10 days.
“Nobody wants to raid the rainy day fund. Nobody wants to borrow $700 million a year. And they think this is the best way to do it. So let’s get it done.”
Lamont spoke in Norwalk after announcing a deal with AT&T to improve cellular service on the Metro-North commuter rail.
The Republican minority has pushed an alternative plan that calls for using the rainy day fund, increased borrowing and no tolls.
Meanwhile, the governor says he’s not concerned that the latest projections show Connecticut on track to end the fiscal year with a $28 million deficit.
“When I came into office I inherited a $3.7 billion deficit. What we’ve got now is 20 to 30 million, maybe a little more, most of it related to the hospital settlement.”
Lamont says he’s instructed his budget director to reduce government spending to ensure that the state ends its fiscal on June 30 with a balanced budget.
