CT Talking Podcast: Sen. Fasano wants constitutional amendment to protect transportation funds

December 19, 2014

CT Talking Podcast

Senator Fasano talks with Dan Lovallo

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Incoming Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano is advocating for a state constitutional amendment to protect money earmarked for transportation improvements in Connecticut.

“As far as the transportation issue, I think we all agree we need to focus on that in Connecticut. And one thing we can do right away is pass a constitutional amendment that says you can’t take money that we put in transportation funds out to balance the budget, which is what this administration (Gov. Malloy) and frankly even prior administrations have done,” Sen. Fasano told me in a wide-ranging podcast interview.

The North Haven Republican also talked about bringing a fresh approach to the minority position by attempting to reach out to the other side to work on major issues, such as the looming deficits in the upcoming state budget. Sen. Fasano says he has written a letter and talked to both Gov. Malloy and new Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney, D-New Haven, about sitting down with leaders from both major political parties to start working on the budget now, rather than near the end of the session.

“We’re not Washington, D.C.” he said, although admitting he has yet to hear from the other side about his offer.

The new legislative session convenes on January 7.