The Connecticut Public Transportation Commission told Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the legislature to not take any more funds away from transportation projects to pay for other state programming.
In its annual report, the commission said Connecticut needs to preserve the integrity of all money in the Special Transportation Fund. The fund, which is support by the gas tax and other user fees, was raided in the latest state budget to pay for expenditures in the state General Fund.
The commission said the STF is needed to keep the state’s transportation infrastructure up to date, and that raiding the STF for General Fund purposes undermines the trust of those who pay gas tax, gross receipts tax, fares, and license and permit fees.
The commission made five other recommendations to Malloy and the Connecticut General Assembly: develop a better funding mix for the Coastal Link bus service in Norwalk; keep funding for municipal dial-a-ride programs; continue public disclosure on CTfastrak; develop a privately run rail service between Danbury and Pittsfield; and increase marketing for local bus service.
