State Representatives Livvy Floren (R-149) and Fred Camillo (R-151) will host an informational tolls forum in the Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room on Monday, May 13, 2019 beginning at 7:00pm.
Presenting at the forum will be Transportation Committee Ranking Members State Representative Laura Devlin (R-134) and State Senator Henri Martin (R-31).
“My motto has always been ‘needs before nice-to-haves.’ Modernizing our transportation infrastructure is a need. Tolls are neither,” Rep Floren said. “Last year, we avoided tolls by using existing revenue to fund critical infrastructure and transportation projects. This year, the state’s Bond Commission was able to do the same while staying within the newly enforced $1.9 billion bond cap.”
Floren said Republicans have an alternative plan to tolls based on this strategy called Prioritize Progress.
“We believe the state has enough revenue to meet its primary needs, namely transportation, education, and critical social services for children, the elderly and the disabled,” Floren continued. “Beyond those core functions of government, we need to be selective with our remaining funds because people are losing confidence in Hartford’s ability to control spending. Each year, the state asks for more and more money from our middle class and business community, with little to show for it. Before we consider tolls, the administration and the Democratic majority must prove they can do more with less, and make the best use of the taxpayers’ money.”
Rep Camillo said Representative Devlin and Senator Martin who will provide facts about tolls.
“I’ve been saying it throughout session and I will say it again – tolls are another tax that will disproportionately affect commuters and the middle class,” he said. ” ore than 70 percent of toll revenue will come directly from our pockets and the economic impact will be widespread.”
Camillo said that with tolls, small businesses will need to raise prices to compensate for the added operational costs.
“Families will need to live on even smaller budgets and will have less disposable income. Workers will be forced to alter their commutes or search for other employment options,” he continued.
Camillo said travelers will attempt to avoid tolls by using backroads, which will cause traffic in towns and neighborhoods.
“There are viable and concrete alternatives that are being ignored,” he said. “We must seriously discuss and consider these options before we continue to nickel and dime the residents of our great state. We need to look at the bigger picture before making such a consequential policy decision.”
Last month, the Transportation Committee approved three toll-related proposals on party-line votes with all Republican members in opposition.
- S.B. 423 (Senate Democrats’ bill) – An Act Concerning Funding for Connecticut’s Transportation Future
- H.B. 7202 (the governor’s bill) – An Act Concerning the Sustainability of Connecticut’s Transportation Infrastructure
- H.B. 7280 (House Democrats’ bill) – An Act Concerning Support for Transportation Infrastructure and the Creation of the Connecticut Transportation Finance Authority
The representatives are encouraging residents from both sides of the debate to attend the forum.
Following the presentation, attendees will be given the opportunity to ask questions.
House and Senate Republicans are planning an anti-tolls rally on Saturday, May 18 on the North Lawn of the State Capitol in Hartford from noon until 3:00 p.m.