CT Midterm Election 2018: Ballot Questions Likely To Pass

HARTFORD, CT— It appears that both constitutional amendment questions on the ballot will overwhelmingly pass. One has to do with the establishment of a constitutional transportation “lock box” with the aim to keep transportation revenues for transportation projects. The other question would require hearings when the state moves to sell off public land.

Gov. Dannel Malloy applauded state voters for passing the transportation lockbox measure.

“This is an enormous victory for our state’s future as Connecticut desperately needs investment in transportation infrastructure While surrounding states have made real investments, Connecticut has allowed our roads, bridges, tunnels, and rails to fall into a state of disrepair, hurting our economy and making our infrastructure less safe for the traveling public," he said.

As of 10:50 p.m. the other question on the ballot was leading with 211,745 votes yes to 36,634 no with 25 percent of precincts reporting, according to the New York Times.

Connecticut already has a transportation lockbox that is set up under the state’s general statutes, but it has been a target in the past as a way to plug up other budget deficits. It’s funded by the state gas tax, motor vehicle fines, many transportation-related fees and some sales tax, according to a summary report by the state.

The Special Transportation Fund is used to fund projects including highway and mass transit infrastructure.

The ballot question had to be approved by majorities in the state house and senate two years in a row to appear before voters, according to the Hartford Courant. Some Republicans worry that the measure isn’t strong enough to keep funds from being raided in the future. (Sign up for free breaking election news here.)Related:

• CT Governor Election Results 2018: Voters Head To the Polls
• CT U.S. Senate Election Results 2018: Chris Murphy Vs. Matt Corey
• Everything To Know About The Connecticut 2018 Midterm Elections
• CT Governor's Race 2018: Meet All 5 Candidates
• CT Midterm Election 2018: Meet The Statewide Candidates

Question 1: Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to ensure (1) that all moneys contained in the Special Transportation Fund be used solely for transportation purposes, including the payment of debts of the state incurred for transportation purposes, and (2) that sources of funds deposited in the Special Transportation Fund be deposited in said fund so long as such sources are authorized by statute to be collected or received by the state?

The second question would require public hearings for transfer or sale of state-controlled real property. It would also require a two-thirds majority vote by the state house and senate if the land is controlled by the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection.

The General Assembly currently is allowed to transfer property through “conveyance bills,” which don’t require a hearing. Often the General Assembly sells multiple pieces of land in large bills that get little attention, according to the Connecticut Mirror.

An often-cited example came in 2011 when the General Assembly allowed 17 acres of riverfront property to be exchanged for 87 acres of forest land. The deal was eventually shut down when an appraisal found the state’s property was worth more than the forest land.

Question 2: Shall the Constitution of the State be amended to require (1) a public hearing and the enactment of legislation limited in subject matter to the transfer, sale or disposition of state-owned or state-controlled real property or interests in real property in order for the General Assembly to require a state agency to sell, transfer or dispose of any real property or interest in real property that is under the custody or control of the agency, and (2) if such property is under the custody or control of the Department of Agriculture or the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection, that such enactment of legislation be passed by a two-thirds vote of the total membership of each house of the General Assembly?

Image via Shutterstock