Statement re: Gov. Lamont’s Transportation Cuts & Toll Proposals

Senate Republican Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement responding to comments made by Governor Ned Lamont today at a press conference focused on the governor’s budget, transportation funding and tolls.

“I’m disappointed to hear Gov. Lamont repeatedly say one thing but do another. The reality is Governor Lamont’s budget shortchanges transportation. He is repeating the sins of past administrations, stealing from the Special Transportation Fund and crippling transportation funding. He is undoing the bipartisan policies lawmakers adopted to immediately stabilize and invest in transportation. His budget makes it more difficult to start infrastructure projects. It will force the state to put needed repairs on hold until tolls are up and running. So instead of building bridges and repairing roads today as the Republican Prioritize Progress would allow for, under Gov. Lamont’s budget Connecticut will have to wait to figure out how many tolls, where they are going, and what they will cost.

“The portion of Republican transportation funding plan Prioritize Progress included in the bipartisan budget is already working and has resulted in a historic level of funding for transportation in Connecticut. If we amplify that strategy, we can start infrastructure projects today, and maintain investments over the next three decades. We are willing to work together with the governor to adjust and amend this proposal, which is why it’s so disappointing to hear the governor repeatedly dismiss this idea out of hand. If the governor really thinks transportation is an immediate priority his budget directly conflicts with his goal.”