Public gets its say on truck tolls

PROVIDENCE (AP) — Lawmakers have begun fielding public testimony on Democratic Gov. Gina Raimondo’s plan to toll big-rig trucks to finance bridge repairs.

The Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday held the first hearing on a revised tolling plan Raimondo and Democratic legislative leaders unveiled last week.

Hundreds of laborers rallied in the Statehouse during hearing. Their unions favor tolling and the 10-year construction plan it would help fund.

Lloyd Albert of AAA Northeast says his organization supports legislation that fixes structurally deficient bridges.