Tolls Forum Recap

Thank you to those who attended last evening’s toll forum in Torrington. It was a great evening with wonderful participation from the public. We had over 100 people from the Northwest Corner attend, listen and speak their minds.

Some of the important takeaways from last night’s meeting included:

• An overall understanding that regardless of how many, or how few, toll gantries there will be rates set in order to capture $1 billion in additional tax revenue
• The majority of toll revenue will come from Connecticut residents, studies have shown that between 60 and 70 percent of tolling revenue will be coming directly from us
• We have the ability to make infrastructure improvements without needing to put up tolls or raising taxes

In essence, the point of the meeting was to show that we have more than one option when it comes to making significant infrastructure improvements. There is one way, which is to put up tolls and grab extra revenue. There is no guarantee that this money will actually be put into making improvements to our roads and bridges, based on the majority party’s continued sweeping of the Special Transportation Fund.

However, through Prioritizing Progress, the state can make educated investments in long-term projects that will help improve our state’s dilapidated highways and bridges. In this alternative plan, your money will actually go toward funding infrastructure projects.

A vote has not taken place on the toll proposals, but action is expected well before the end of the legislative session. If you have questions about tolls, or any other matter related to our state government, please do not hesitate to contact me.

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