Free Daily Headlines :

  • COVID-19
  • Money
  • Election 2020
  • Politics
  • Education
  • Health
  • Justice
  • More
    • Environment
    • Economic Development
    • Gaming
    • Investigations
    • Social Services
    • TRANSPORTATION
  • Opinion
    • CT Viewpoints
    • CT Artpoints
DONATE
Reflecting Connecticut’s Reality.
    COVID-19
    Money
    Election 2020
    Politics
    Education
    Health
    Justice
    More
    Environment
    Economic Development
    Gaming
    Investigations
    Social Services
    TRANSPORTATION
    Opinion
    CT Viewpoints
    CT Artpoints

LET�S GET SOCIAL

Show your love for great stories and out standing journalism
CT VIEWPOINTS -- opinions from around Connecticut

A toll is a tax — that we don’t need

  • CT Viewpoints
  • by Toni Boucher
  • March 14, 2019
  • View as "Clean Read" "Exit Clean Read"

Some observers wonder why people in Connecticut are making such a fuss over proposals to install tolls.  After all, most of us pass through tolls regularly.  They are part of everyday life in surrounding states, so what is the big deal? Why are protests popping up all over? The opposition has become so contentious that one state representative suggests that towns protesting tolls should be denied state transportation aid.

Toni Boucher

This is unfortunate when an honest open dialogue is needed on what could become one of the most costly tax increases for residents coming on the heels of the historic increases in 2015 and 2011. Those increases give Connecticut the dubious distinction of having the highest combined federal, state and local tax burden in the nation. The state is losing people and jobs as a direct result.

Connecticut’s economy is an eco-system. Everything is connected. Legislators should be asking how tolls and taxes taken as a whole will impact the state’s reputation as a business- and taxpayer-friendly place. Any increases to the cost of living should be closely scrutinized, especially since Connecticut is one of the only states that has not recovered from the great recession of 2008, and GDP growth of .4% is the weakest in the Northeast.

Tolls are commonplace. However, what is not commonplace is the sheer volume of Connecticut taxes that other states don’t have:

    • High income tax that does not allow deductibles
    • High car property taxes
    • 8 percent gross petroleum gas added to a high gas excise tax
    • Real-estate conveyance tax
    • Gift and estate taxes
    • Social security and pension taxes
    • Luxury sales tax
    • High licensure fees
    • Hundreds of service taxes
    • Highest property tax in the country

Other factors that should be considered:

Connecticut could become the most tolled state in the nation. Plans call for tolls on both cars and trucks spread across 53-80 gantries —  30 percent of drivers without EZPass avoid paying a toll. As a result of this and DOT’s high administrative costs (Connecticut spent more than $83,000 per mile in administrative costs compared to $10,000 per mile nationally) show revenue estimates based on toll prices of up to 4 times the highest rate in the country.

Studies find 60-75 percent of toll revenues would come from Connecticut drivers. This would hurt state businesses and workers whose jobs require daily travel.

Congestion toll pricing increases during peak travel periods but a typical worker cannot dictate their schedule. Congestion pricing is regressive as it penalizes those who least can afford it. A toll could become a $240 monthly pay cut per month.

Connecticut receives approx. $528.6 million from the federal government to make up for lack of tolls. Those funds could be lost if tolls move forward.

Higher truck tolls equal higher prices that will be passed along to consumers in the form of higher priced goods and services.

Drivers avoiding tolls will detour through local roads creating congestion and wear and tear on roadways not accustomed to tractor-trailers and increased traffic.

One bill would allow the DOT to construct tolls almost immediately without the approval of the General Assembly if no vote is taken within 15 days of convening the legislature.  Another bill creates a Transportation Authority that would decide toll placement and rates also without a vote taken.  This would absolve legislators from taking responsibility from enacting tolls or raising prices drastically like the $40 congestion pricing for 10 miles one way trip on I-66 in Virginia. These decisions should not circumvent those who are answerable to the public.

Transportation improvements are needed, but tolls are not the solution. “Prioritize Progress” is an alternative funding plan that utilizes current state resources to provide $65 billion for infrastructure projects over 30 years. It requires that all bonding, beyond the state’s core needs such as school construction, must go to transportation infrastructure. It guarantees a steady flow of funding and operates within the state’s bond cap without burdening people with tolls or taxes.

The state has yet to recover job losses from the great recession.  Rather than piling on, lawmakers need to control costs and embrace alternatives.  Commuters are looking for relief, not another historic tax increase. Call it what you will- a toll is tax and a big deal for Connecticut!

Toni Boucher is a businesswoman and former State Senate Co- Chair and State House Ranking Member of the Legislature’s Transportation committee.

CTViewpoints welcomes rebuttal or opposing views to this and all its commentaries. Read our guidelines and submit your commentary here.

Sign up for CT Mirror's free daily news summary.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

SEE WHAT READERS SAID

RELATED STORIES
Keeping Connecticut’s music industry alive
by Matt Fitzgibbon

By recently passing the Save Our Stages Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, in its COVID relief package, Congress has temporarily protected The Constitution State’s music industry from economic free fall. But are the courts now willing to do what’s necessary to provide the permanent security it needs and deserves?

A young Black man sees a need for faster racial progress
by Eugene Z. Bertrand

I first learned that I was Black in kindergarten. More importantly, I learned of the negative connotations that come with identifying with my own skin color.

Sadly, not much has changed since Martin Luther King Jr.’s killing.
by Alberto Cortes

As we approached the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I took the time to read and watch his “I Had a Dream” speech which he  delivered on Aug. 28, 1963; and as I read through it 57 years later, I realize not much has changed.

The struggle for racial justice and equality is far from over
by Marilyn Moore

On the eve of the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, I and many others are reflecting on what recently transpired at the U. S. Capitol and how it relates to the injustices that Dr. King and so many others fought to change so many years ago. It is obvious that our nation's fight for racial justice and equality is far from over. In fact, it continues to this day.

The mentoring circle: Supportive relationships across generations
by Josiah H. Brown

January is Mentoring Month, January 17 International Mentoring Day — with the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday a day of service. 

Support Our Work

Show your love for great stories and outstanding journalism.

$
Select One
  • Monthly
  • Yearly
  • Once
Artpoint painter
CT ViewpointsCT Artpoints
Opinion Keeping Connecticut’s music industry alive
by Matt Fitzgibbon

By recently passing the Save Our Stages Act, a bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy, in its COVID relief package, Congress has temporarily protected The Constitution State’s music industry from economic free fall. But are the courts now willing to do what’s necessary to provide the permanent security it needs and deserves?

Opinion A young Black man sees a need for faster racial progress
by Eugene Z. Bertrand

I first learned that I was Black in kindergarten. More importantly, I learned of the negative connotations that come with identifying with my own skin color.

Opinion Sadly, not much has changed since Martin Luther King Jr.’s killing.
by Alberto Cortes

As we approached the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, I took the time to read and watch his “I Had a Dream” speech which he  delivered on Aug. 28, 1963; and as I read through it 57 years later, I realize not much has changed.

Opinion The struggle for racial justice and equality is far from over
by Marilyn Moore

On the eve of the annual celebration of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.’s birthday, I and many others are reflecting on what recently transpired at the U. S. Capitol and how it relates to the injustices that Dr. King and so many others fought to change so many years ago. It is obvious that our nation's fight for racial justice and equality is far from over. In fact, it continues to this day.

Artwork Grand guidance
by Anne:Gogh

In a world of systemic oppression aimed towards those of darker skintones – representation matters. We are more than our equity elusive environments, more than numbers in a prison and much more than victims of societal dispositions. This piece depicts a melanated young man draped in a cape ascending high above multiple forms of oppression. […]

Artwork Shea
by Anthony Valentine

Shea is a story about race and social inequalities that plague America. It is a narrative that prompts the question, “Do you know what it’s like to wake up in new skin?”

Artwork The Declaration of Human Rights
by Andres Chaparro

Through my artwork I strive to create an example of ideas that reflect my desire to raise social consciousness, and cultural awareness. Jazz music is the catalyst to all my work, and plays a major influence in each piece of work.”

Artwork ‘A thing of beauty. Destroy it forever’
by Richard DiCarlo | Derby

During times like these it’s often fun to revisit something familiar and approach things with a different slant. I have been taking some Pop culture and Art masterpieces and applying the vintage 1960’s and 70’s classic figures (Fisher Price, little people) to the make an amusing pieces. Here is my homage to Fisher -Price, Yellow […]

Twitter Feed
A Twitter List by CTMirror

Engage

  • Reflections Tickets & Sponsorships
  • Events
  • Donate
  • Newsletter Sign-Up
  • Submit to Viewpoints
  • Submit to ArtPoints
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Commenting Guidelines
  • Legal Notices
  • Contact Us

About

  • About CT Mirror
  • Announcements
  • Board
  • Staff
  • Sponsors and Funders
  • Donors
  • Friends of CT Mirror
  • History
  • Financial
  • Policies
  • Strategic Plan

Opportunity

  • Advertising and Sponsorship
  • Speaking Engagements
  • Use of Photography
  • Work for Us

Go Deeper

  • Steady Habits Podcast
  • Economic Indicator Dashboard
  • Five Things

The Connecticut News Project, Inc. 1049 Asylum Avenue, Hartford, CT 06105. Phone: 860-218-6380

© Copyright 2021, The Connecticut News Project. All Rights Reserved. Website by Web Publisher PRO