Connecticut House and Senate Republicans Wednesday jointly proposed a long-term transportation funding plan that doesn’t include tolls.
The Republican proposal calls on Connecticut to invest $5.3 billion over the next decade to beef up the entire state transportation system. The state would issue general obligation bonds to fund the investments, starting with $441 million in fiscal year 2016 and increasing to $708 million over 10 years.
This bond proposal is in stark contrast to what Democrats are likely to pitch to fund future transportation projects: tolls. Malloy, who is making his two-year budget address next week, said he would support tolls on Connecticut highways, as long as there is a lockbox that prevents the legislature from raiding transportation funds to pay for non-transportation programs.
The Republican proposal also calls for no tax increases, filling all vacant positions at the state Department of Transportation, and re-establishing the Transportation Strategy Board to assess proposed transportation needs.
