State Rep. Will Duff: 'Tolls on I-84 Would Have Chilling Effect'

BETHEL, CT — With the state facing a $1.7 billion budget deficit, many have suggested the re-introduction of tolls on state highways as a method to generate new revenue.

However, those talks have been met by swift opposition from local lawmakers including State Rep. Will Duff (R-Bethel). In a statement released Wednesday, Duff strongly opposed tolls on state highways, citing visiting New Yorkers and local Danbury-area businesses as those who would be most affected.

“Make no mistake this is an additional tax on middle class families, who are already feeling the pinch. Bringing back tolls is a bad idea for Connecticut and especially for the greater Danbury area,” said Duff, who represents . “We are home to the Danbury Fair Mall, which attracts many New York state shoppers to Connecticut to shop and dine. These out-of-staters come to Connecticut due to the lower sales tax and the convenience of being right next door. Putting tolls on I-84 will have a chilling effect on those New Yorkers, therefore hurting our local businesses and taking away a chunk of Connecticut sales tax revenue due to the lack of sales.”

State lawmakers met earlier this week to discuss the addition of an electronic toll system to generate revenue for the state, with one bill calling for a congestion pricing system to ease traffic and generate revenue for infrastructure projects, reports NBC Connecticut. Another bill would establish electronic tolls to create revenue for the Special Transporation Fund.

In his statement Duff cited the Prioritize Progress plan, proposed by House and Senate Republicans which they say would provide for at least $1 billion annually over the next 30 years without a tax increase or polls.

Back in 2015, Gov. Dannel Malloy criticized the plan for not singling out specific projects to be funded, reports the Hartford Courant. The report further indicates that other democrats challenged the plan, citing that it was incomplete and that the numbers didn't add up.

However, Duff argued in favor of the proposal, which the statement indicated provides flexibility in transportation priorities and gives the state a predictable funding plan.

“The focus should be on fixing, updating and maintaining current transportation infrastructure not build a busway across the state or construct a new rail line from New Haven to Springfield, MA," Duff said."We live in a state that people dread to be on the highway at certain times of the day. Many constituents who travel I-84 Waterbury tell me traveling through Waterbury is a traffic nightmare, and I cannot disagree."

Image via the office of State Rep. Will Duff.