Newly installed Connecticut Democrat Gov. Ned Lamont is already reneging on his campaign pledge to place tolls only on trucks on the state’s roads.
In a budget speech Wednesday that left voters reeling, Lamont, a telecommunications entrepreneur who campaigned as a businessman who knew how to reverse the state’s financial crisis, mapped out his plans to bring Connecticut back from the brink of near-bankruptcy – but none of them involved cutting spending.
In fact, the Democrat proposed increased spending as he also pushed for at least 53 electronic overhead toll gantries across what is the third smallest state in the United States – for all cars and trucks. In addition, Lamont called for expanded sales taxes on dozens of new items and services as well as new taxes on sugary drinks, a surcharge on plastic bags, and a $15 minimum wage.
“He took one of his most fundamental campaign promises – that he wasn’t going to put up tolls on cars – and he lied to the taxpayers and he lied to the voters,” said former Republican gubernatorial nominee Bob Stefanowski as he appeared on WTIC NewsTalk 1080, the Todd Feinburg Show. “And then when he changed his mind – rather than coming forward and talking to people – he dumped it on a Saturday morning editorial on a three-day weekend.”
Connecticut has projected budget deficits of $1.5 billion and $2.2 billion in the next two years, the Hartford Courant reported, adding the governor’s budget “is built largely around new revenue and limited growth. He called for spending increases of 1.7 percent in the first year and 3.4 percent in the second year.”
In 2016, a study from George Mason University’s Mercatus Center found Connecticut ranked as the state in the worst fiscal condition, second only to Puerto Rico, and owing largely to its massive debt obligations and unfunded liabilities.
Connecticut, according to Truth in Accounting, is also considered a “sinkhole state,” without enough assets to cover its debt. The state ranked in September as number 49 for fiscal health in the nation, with only New Jersey ranking below it.
A grassroots group called No Tolls CT has organized to stop Lamont’s toll plan.
“Prior to his inauguration, Governor Ned Lamont reiterated that tolls were coming, but he would maintain his campaign stance and toll only tractor trailers,” the group states on its website that provides a petition against the tolls for Connecticut citizens.
The citizens’ group – which points out Connecticut citizens already pay property taxes on their vehicles – says the tolls will:
Increase the cost of every item transported into Connecticut Increase the cost of doing business in the state of Connecticut Increase traffic on secondary roads, which will translate into increased wear/tear = higher property taxes and increased pollution Increase the size of government by creating a toll authority
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
an earlier study indicates they are talking about tolls for both in-state and out-of-state vehicles
No specific rates have been identified, but numbers such as 4 to 5 cents per mile were in the study.This message has been edited. Last edited by: sdy,
February 23, 2019, 07:19 PM
zoom6zoom
quote:
none of them involved cutting spending.
Of course not, that would be just silly.
It used to be a major pain to drive anywhere in CT with toll booths everywhere. Always hated making the slog up 95
I have my own style of humor. I call it Snarkasm.
February 23, 2019, 07:26 PM
cgode
good....I hope the taxes skyrocket and and he can make everyone pay tolls just like they did 30 years ago....you get what you voted in connecticut...suck it! I move outa this crap hole in less than two years!
________________________ Those who trade liberty for security have neither
February 23, 2019, 09:50 PM
nhtagmember
I am so glad that with any luck, I will never ever for the rest of my life have to go anywhere near Connecticut
[B] Against ALL enemies, foreign and DOMESTIC
February 24, 2019, 07:06 AM
joel9507
quote:
... Democrat .... reneging on his campaign pledge....
In other news, rain is wet and the sunrise is projected to be in the East tomorrow.
February 24, 2019, 07:09 AM
egregore
quote:
53 electronic overhead toll gantries
How much do those cost?
February 24, 2019, 07:12 AM
wcb6092
His thinking evolved. That is what democrats do.
_________________________
February 24, 2019, 08:02 AM
zoom6zoom
Back when they had all the tollbooths on the interstates and parkways, we used to joke that the motto on their license plates actually read, "The Consptipation State".
I have my own style of humor. I call it Snarkasm.
February 24, 2019, 08:20 AM
ChicagoSigMan
Never ever believe a Democrat who claims he will not tax you. How many times do you need to be fooled before you figure that out? At some point, the problem isn't the lying politicians....it's the stupid voters.
February 24, 2019, 08:49 AM
sdy
From what I read, this won't be toll booths.
It will be a mixture of EZ Pass, some new electronic detector, and license plate readers.
Connecticut citizens will get a discount.
February 24, 2019, 08:56 AM
Elk Hunter
Gee, a democraP governor, in Connecticut, is raising taxes.
Whodthunk it?
How can any thinking person not have predicted this?
Elk
There has never been an occasion where a people gave up their weapons in the interest of peace that didn't end in their massacre. (Louis L'Amour)
"To compel a man to furnish contributions of money for the propagation of opinions which he disbelieves and abhors, is sinful and tyrannical. " -Thomas Jefferson
"America is great because she is good. If America ceases to be good, America will cease to be great." Alexis de Tocqueville
FBHO!!!
The Idaho Elk Hunter
February 24, 2019, 09:02 AM
CQB60
I-95 through CT is already slow. Bout to get even slower..
______________________________________________ Life is short. It’s shorter with the wrong gun…