Rep. Ackert Petitions Against 10M Toll Study

Posted on July 25, 2018

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HARTFORD – The Special State Bonding Commission met today and approved a funding request submitted by Governor Malloy via executive order for a $10 million dollar feasibility study for the purpose of implementing tolls.

The only two Republican Bond Commission members voted against the $10 million expenditure. State Comptroller, Kevin P. Lembo, was the only other member to vote against this request.

“This is not about having tolls or not having tolls, it’s about circumventing the process to implement a study that the legislature and our residents didn’t have any say in,” Rep. Ackert said. The voices of every person in our district has been silenced by Gov. Malloy’s use of executive order, and quite simply this is bad government.”

Rep. Ackert joined his fellow Republican representatives have signed petitions to send to the Secretary of the State in order to request the General Assembly meet for a “special session for the purpose of prohibiting the expenditure of taxpayer funds to study and evaluate the establishment of tolls in Connecticut.”

Per the Governor’s executive order for a toll study request, DOT would conduct the following:

  • Prepare a comprehensive assessment for possible electronic tolling on I-95, I-91, I-84, the Wilbur Cross Parkway, the Merritt Parkway, and any other limited access highways as determined by the DOT Commissioner, which includes potential toll monitoring and specifies proposed toll charges;
  • Explore potential ways to provide discounts, tax credits, or other value-pricing options to Connecticut residents while ensuring out-of-state drivers contribute their fair share;
  • Explore plans that could reduce motor vehicle fuel taxes; and
  • Study the environmental impacts of electronic tolling systems.

As chairman of the commission, Gov. Malloy has the discretion to determine which items are included in any boding meeting. It was a forgone conclusion that this study would be one of the items included in today’s agenda.

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