Gov. Malloy issues support for tolls to help pay for transportation fund

HARTFORD —  Governor Dannel Malloy announced his support for highway tolls Wednesday at a press conference.

The proposal takes four specific actions in order to stabilize the STF and bring critical projects back online:

1. A seven-cent increase in the gas tax, gradually implemented over a four-year period.
2. Implementation of statewide electronic tolling beginning in fiscal year 2023.
3. Acceleration of the transfer of car sales tax by two years.
4. Establishment of a $3.00 per tire fee on tire purchases.

The STF finances the state’s entire transportation system, including the operating costs of the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and all of the services it provides.

“Investment in transportation is investment in Connecticut’s economic future,” Governor Malloy said.  “But for decades, our state has chronically underfunded our roads, bridges, tunnels, and rails, and as a result our infrastructure consistently ranks among the worst in the nation.  Without new revenues this year, we face a transportation cliff.  We will be forced to make draconian cutbacks, affecting even routine maintenance.  If we want to revitalize our urban centers and attract the jobs of tomorrow, we absolutely must ensure the solvency of the Special Transportation Fund, and we must do it early in this legislative session.  We can no longer afford to wait – it’s time for action.”

“The combination of immediate and long term additional revenue provided by the Governor’s recommendations represents a solution to maintaining our commitment to operate a safe highway, bus and rail transportation network and to avoid serious deterioration of our state and municipal transportation infrastructure,” CTDOT Commissioner James P. Redeker said.  “The additional revenue in fiscal year 2019 will relieve bus and rail riders of the potential for massive impacts to fares and service.  Overall, the implementation of a growing, predictable income stream to the fund will enable the effective planning and delivery of the quality transportation system that Connecticut’s economy depends on.”