Sen. McLachlan Pans Toll Proposal; Public Hearing Set for Monday
March 4, 2012On Monday, March 5 at the Legislative Office Building, the legislature’s Transportation Committee will hold a public hearing on a bill to establish tolls for the extension of Route 11. The public hearing begins at 10:30 a.m. on Monday in Room 1 E of the LOB.
State Sen. Michael McLachlan (R-Danbury), a member of the Transportation Committee, opposes the measure and issued the following statement:
“We should view this bill as a change in policy that permits tolls to be placed on Connecticut highways. And another word for tolls is tax.
“The state transportation department’s Route 11 study won’t be done until late 2012. Shouldn’t we wait for that report before allowing tolls on Route 11? Why are we putting the cart before the horse?
“As someone who lives near Route 7, an area of the state where we have held public hearings regarding tolls and an area where people are viscerally against the very idea of tolls, I cannot support this concept. This bill sets a bad precedent for what we can do with tolls in any area of the state. Let’s view this proposal for what it would mean for Connecticut motorists: yet another tax increase.”
McLachlan (www.senatormclachlan.com) represents Bethel, Danbury, New Fairfield and Sherman.
Bill info: S.B. No. 289 AN ACT CONCERNING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF TOLLS FOR THE EXTENSION OF ROUTE 11.
Last year, a similar bill passed the State House of Representatives but died in the State Senate. (http://www.cga.ct.gov/2011/FC/pdf/2011HB-06200-R000779-FC.pdf )