Democratic Connecticut state lawmakers have released details of Governor Ned Lamont’s truck-only highway toll bill. Republicans warn it could open the door to car tolls in the future.
The bill calls for an appointed 12-member transportation commission to establish the rates for the large-truck-only tolls on a dozen highway bridges across the state. Senate Republican Minority Leader Len Fasano says that opens the door to car tolls.
“The problem is nobody believes that this tolls bill is going to remain truck tolls. The door is open, and I’ve talked about how in this bill you can see the navigability of getting cars tolled. And that’s what’s going to happen in the future. Because people just don’t trust government.”
Fasano says the bill also shows that Governor Lamont has not kept his promise to rein in state borrowing.
The truck-only toll is projected to raise about $175 million a year to help pay for Lamont’s $19 billion, 10-year transportation infrastructure plan.
On Friday, lawmakers are set to hold a public informational hearing on the bill. They expect to take action in a special session on Monday or Tuesday.
