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Local lawmakers weigh in on Transportation Funding Panel's recommendations

The recommendations by the Governor's Transportation Finance Panel are receiving mixed reviews from legislative leaders.  Danbury state Senator Mike McLachlan says the GOP put out proposals this summer which weren't considered.

 

He says it doesn't make sense, adding that these recommendations would only chase more people out of Connecticut.

 

House Speaker Brendan Sharkey says legislature and voters must approve a constitutional lockbox before there can be a debate on how to pay for the Governor's $100 billion, 30 year transportation plan.  But with no vote on tolls and higher taxes until after this year's election, Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano says the Democrats don't want to go into the November election with another tax increase.

 

Wilton state Representative Gail Lavielle weighed in on tolls and higher taxes.  She says she is not willing to say that once there's a lockbox people in her district would support tolls and increased gas taxes.  Lavielle says her constituents won't be supportive of the revenue options because it adds to their personal financial burden.  She says people ve been subjected to very substantial increases ni taxes and fees lately and don't want more.

 

A voluntary pilot "vehicle miles traveled" program using federal funds for user-based fees that could replace the gasoline tax if it becomes obsolete is also among the recommendations.

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