Influential members of the General Assembly cautioned Friday, one of the final days of the legislative session, that Governor Dannel Malloy's proposed $100 billion overhaul of roads, bridges, and trains in Connecticut could require a Special Session to sort out.
“That’s a larger process and I’m not sure we finish that within the regular session. I think we may come back to do a transportation special session" said Berlin Democrat, Rep. Joe Aresimowicz, the House Majority Leader. He qualified his comments by saying nothing is certain and adding, "That’s just my gut, but I think that may really happen.”
The governor's top priority during his State of the State Address in January was a transportation overhaul that would take 30 years to complete. He said Connecticut deserved a "first-in-class" transportation system and said years of small investment or lack thereof has led to traffic problems that have cost taxpayers billions of dollars.
A spokesman for Gov. Malloy said in a statement of the talk of a Special Session, "Whether it’s approved during a regular session or a special session, the governor is committed to the long-term benefits of the state to create jobs, support businesses and support the quality of life overall.”
Transportation Committee Chairman Rep. Tony Guerrera, a Democrat from Rocky Hill has been a supporter of the proposal from the beginning. He said he thinks there may be a sentiment among lawmakers to develop a way to pay for the package before the legislature approves anything. The governor assembled a group to examine ways to pay for the $100 billion plan that includes ideas like issuing bonds and even building tolls.
“I think everyone is serious about what needs to be done to our infrastructure," Guerrera said. "Do we wait for the task force to come back with their recommendations and you know maybe have a special session in the fall to talk about this? That could be one of the key points here.”
Lawmakers will adjourn the Regular Session on June 3.
