Fate Of Tolls In CT Grows Clearer

HARTFORD, CT — It looks like the bell has tolled for Connecticut tolls this year after House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz backtracked on a promise to put the matter to a vote this year.

"I can't promise that I will put it up on the board for a full vote even though I essentially promised that and have been working really hard to make that happen," he said.

He conceded that there wouldn't be enough yes votes in the House to send the matter to the Senate where it would likely be defeated.

However, Aresimowicz predicted that this wouldn't be the last talk of tolls and that the next governor regardless of political affiliation will have to take a strong look at the possibility come January.

The matter faced an uphill battle in an election year. A document released to legislators laid out some possible toll charges, such as a Hartford to New Haven trip costing $1.67 during peak hours, which could amount to around $800 a year.

Republicans have come out strongly against toll proposals.

"This whole toll proposal came to be because they are trying to back themselves into a budget," said House Republican Leader Themis Klarides.

The bill that would've been voted on this year would have established just the ground work for tolls by allowing the state Department of Transportation to come up with a proposal that would have to go to legislators again next year for final approval. It would take several years before motorists were paying.

Proposals called for $1.3 billion to come in from tolls per year.

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