State Representative Mike France (R-42) was disappointed, but not surprised, that Governor Lamont’s first budget address to the General Assembly included a major policy shift and campaign pledge reversal when he included a policy to toll all vehicles on Connecticut roadways in his budget. The governor’s proposed budget also expanded sales tax to include various professional services, personal services, non-prescription drugs, newspapers and magazines. In addition, Governor Lamont proposed shifting 25% of the state’s annual teachers’ employee retirement fund contribution to local town budgets.

During his campaign, then-candidate Lamont repeatedly said he would toll tractor-trailers only, and that those revenues would sufficient to pay for needed transportation infrastructure improvements.  During today’s address, Governor Lamont claimed tolling all vehicles was necessary to fund those same transportation improvements, but that 40% of toll revenue would come from out-of-state drivers. Unfortunately, that’s still a 120% tax increase on Connecticut residents to use the same roads.

“I fully expected Governor Lamont to flip-flop on this issue and, while I’m disappointed he chose to do so, I’m certainly not surprised,” Rep. France said. “Adding tolls to our roadways will cost taxpayers, especially low and middle-income workers, significantly reducing their discretionary income as they struggle to pay their bills and do more with less. In addition, the governor plans to greatly expand the sales tax and increase payroll taxes by another 1/2% to enact paid Family Medical Leave (FMLA). Adding tolls will only serve to multiply the negative effects on the economy and potentially cripple the middle class.”

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Proposes New Legislation to the General Assembly

I have submitted House Bill (H.B.) 5243 and H.B. 6190 to the Legislature, which would correctly define the Education Cost Sharing (ECS) Minimum Budget Requirement (MBR) and better protect local Boards of Education (BoE) from confusion caused by Legislative or Executive Branch actions after local budgets are approved. In addition, I proposed H.B. 5180 to improve BoE fiscal management by allowing a reduction in MBR based on year-over-year reductions in certain special education costs, which can be a significant fiscal impact to our small towns.

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HARTFORD — The legislature’s Conservative Caucus today reacted with concern after learning a legislative proposal to mandate the creation of regional school districts was recently unveiled.

Proposed Bill 454 would create a legislative commission to develop a plan to regionalize school districts based on population, in alignment with Connecticut’s Probate Court system. Under this law, the current system of approximately 150 school districts would be reduced to 54, merging both rural and urban communities, and would become effective by default even without action by the commission or approval of the legislature.

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