Letter to the editor from Lisa Vasquez
According to IBTTA and ASECAP, tolling is one of the most powerful and effective tools to finance, build, maintain and improve road infrastructure. Alex Bergstein recommends implementing electronic tolls. At a time when the State of Connecticut is ailing financially, has overwhelming pension fund liabilities in excess of $36B and corporations are fleeing, Connecticut lawmakers are arguing about the semantics of adding tolls to its corridors.
Neighboring states of New Jersey and New York generate as much as $1.4B and $1.3B annually. The trend in road tolls has become widespread in the United States as cars have become more fuel efficient through the use of hybrids and electric vehicles. In fact, 84% of Americans feel that the use of tolls should be used as the primary source of transportation revenue. With all of our neighboring states, and over 40 states in the U.S. utilizing tolls as a much needed source of revenue, why can’t Connecticut get with the program?
Additional bonding (debt) for Connecticut should not be a consideration. With our states’ pension fund liabilities looming above $36 billion, we need to fund infrastructure improvements as soon as possible. This will attract businesses and employees back to our state. Maybe then our real estate markets will begin to recover.
We need change in the 36th district and Alex Bergstein has the ability, ideas and drive for State Senate 36th District.
Lisa Vasquez
New Canaan
Note: The deadline for letters in support of candidates in the November 6, 2018 election is Monday, October 29, 2018.
Not all letters will be published. Instead we will select a sampling of letters.