July 25, 2018

Rep. Dauphinais Strongly Opposed to Spending 10M For Tolls Study

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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.

“In spite of the legislature’s overwhelming opposition to tolls, Governor Malloy took it upon himself to utilize his executive order so that this study could go through,” Rep. Dauphinais said. “Democrats had proposed a toll study bill during this legislative session and that bill couldn’t receive a consensus to move forward, yet with today’s outcome, this frivolous study to waste more taxpayer dollars will now happen without legislative approval.”

Rep. Dauphinais and her 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.

“We will continue to do whatever we physically can in order to stop this study from happening,” Dauphinais said.

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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Rep. Dauphinais Responds to New Trust Act Law

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