Tolls: A progress assessment

Legislative debate and public meetings throughout the state have served to add important information and perspectives to the looming decision on transportation financing legislation introduced earlier this session.

A near consensus now exists on the consequences of underfunding our transportation infrastructure and the importance of immediate, increased investment.

Specifics — from the uses of funds for particular projects, to the number and location of electronic fare collection points and the amounts of the fares themselves — have been offered by the Lamont administration. While each of these specifics may have oppositional points of view, a bipartisan aggregate estimate of the annual amount needed — $2 billion — has emerged.

Disagreement continues on how best to find the funds needed.

Therefore, we feel it is important to reaffirm The Business Council’s position: We support the unified legislation that is emerging from the legislative process.

Adopting toll legislation in this session will start the implementation process by permitting the finalization of the technical deployment plan, the development of a “residents first” system of discounts and the prioritization and efficient implementation of safety, state of good repair, and new capacity projects. Critically, it will also start the process of sharing the costs with nonresident vehicles, putting us on an even footing with our neighboring states.

We urge the General Assembly to finalize legislative language and bring the question to a vote. Once adopted, we look forward to participating in a transparent implementation planning process and expect to remain vigilant to assure that funds intended for transportation reach their destination.

Let’s get started.