HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) - Connecticut House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz says it appears he doesn't have the votes to pass tolling legislation this session, but warns the issue is not over.
The Democrat says Wednesday he's willing to put his election "on the line over tolls" because it's the right thing to do. However, he says it appears there isn't enough support among his colleagues in the state House, or among legislative Republicans.
The legislative session ends at midnight on May 9, but it's doubtful a bill will be called up for a vote.
This year marks one of the strongest pushes yet for bringing tolls back to Connecticut for the first time in three decades. It comes as the state's transportation fund faces fiscal insolvency.
Wilton Senator Toni Boucher says it's something she opposes because her constituents have told her it would be a commuter tax, a miles-driven tax and another fee for owning a car. She says Connecticut residents have been taxed too much and they have had enough. Boucher acknowledged there were tolls once before in Connecticut, but said that was before the income tax.
Boucher says other states that do have tolls also have a lower gas tax, and don't have a car property tax, a tax on social security and on pensions. She notes that other states that do have an income tax, residents can deduct expenses whereas in Connecticut, residents here can't.
Danbury Representative Bob Godfrey opposed tolling based on constituent feedback. He says residents will have the chance to chime in in November with the lockbox amendment which will be on the ballot. He sees that as a referendum on tolls.
Newtown Representative Mitch Bolinsky says it's more like a colander because it does not effectively lock-in the funds. Bolinsky says the guarantees are weak funding won't be raided at the detriment to infrastructure maintenance, improvements, expansions and safety upgrades.
