Connecticut’s Republicans are speaking as one voice against plans pushed by Democrats and Gov. Ned Lamont to put tolls on Connecticut highways.
The Lamont administration and legislative leaders argue that tolls are the best way to capture new revenue in order to pay for neglected infrastructure.
“I don’t buy it, is what I’ll say,” said Rep. Themis Klarides, (R – Derby), the Minority Leader in the Connecticut House.
Republicans aren’t convinced that Connecticut will realize the estimated revenues of $800 million, with as much as $320 million coming from out of state drivers.
Connecticut would be bound by similar regulations as Massachusetts and New York, where they must allow out of state residents to purchase EZ Pass transponders, which would provide them the benefit of in-state discounts.
“There is nothing that prohibits an out of state person from buying a Connecticut transponder at Connecticut rates,” said Sen. Len Fasano, (R – North Haven). “The Supreme Court said you have to allow an out of state driver the same right as an in-state person to buy the transponder.”
Republicans argue that fact alone would cut into the Lamont administration’s estimates of how much out of state drivers would contribute.
Local
But the Republican proposal for transportation investment would still end up costing Connecticut taxpayers tens of billions over three decades, and non-Connecticut residents would only contribute to paying off that burden through sales taxes in most cases.
The plan, “Prioritize Progress,” has been pushed by the GOP going back to 2015. With updated numbers, the plan is centered around the state taking on upwards of $40 billion in debt through Transportation and General Obligation bonds, with the intention of receiving a federal match worth $21.9 billion.
Those bonds would also accrue interest, which would be the responsibility of Connecticut taxpayers to pay off over the life of the bonds.
Sen. Fasano says the program is a better use of resources because it would eliminate “pet projects” and “goodies” for smaller communities, while devoting most funds to infrastructure.
“Bonding is not bad if done with precision, and done with diligence and that’s what we’re bringing to the table,” he said.
A spokeswoman for Lamont has disregarded Prioritize Progress because the governor favors taking on less debt, calling it a “debt diet,” in his budget proposal. He favors tolls, Communications Director Maribel La Luz said, because it charges all drivers for using the roads.
She said, “The Governor is proposing a user fee on our major highways where at least 40 percent would be paid by out of state commuters. Borrowing the money, aka Prioritize Progress, means 100 percent plus interest would be paid by our kids and grandkids. Every other state around us has figured this out, so can Connecticut.”
