HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut legislators are praising a decision by the state Department of Transportation to drop plans to participate in a multi-state study of a possible mileage tax.
Wilton Senator Toni Boucher says such a tax would place a financial burden on commuters. She says there's no reason to spend $300,000 for a study that's going nowhere. Boucher notes that it would have been irresponsible to move forward after Governor Malloy and others distanced themselves from the study.
A mileage tax is essentially a user fee that's based on how much someone drives.
DOT Commissioner James Redeker sent a letter last week to the Coalition, explaining how his state agency is facing large budget cuts that prevent it from providing about $300,000 in state matching funds to help pay for the study.
Redeker says he still supports the study.
The coalition includes transportation agencies, toll authorities and other groups from Maine to Florida that focus on transportation issues of common interest.
Boucher had been spreading the word about an online petition to de-fund the state study. She and other lawmakers want the $300,000 to instead be put toward keeping rest stop toilet facilities open in Danbury and elsewhere.
