State Rep. Lavielle Says New Transportation 'Lockbox' Bill Threatens Security of Funds

WILTON, CT-- State Rep. Gail Lavielle said in a statement that she was surprised to see a bill introduced that would create “a kind of extra special transportation fund.”

Lavielle said the bill, known as “SB 12,” could threaten the security of the transportation “lockbox” that Governor Dannel Malloy wants to see created by the passage of a constitutional amendment.

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“While I have no issue with using STF funds to pay for transportation capital projects, I question the need to segregate money in a separate account,” said Rep. Lavielle. “And I must ask whether doing so opens a new door for diverting money from the STF, because even if the STF is protected by a lockbox, the new account might not have the same protections. If we decide as a legislature to put a lockbox constitutional amendment to the voters on next November’s ballot, we can’t at the same time be passing bills that create new opportunities for diverting STF funds away from transportation purposes. It is not appropriate to mislead the people of Connecticut.”

SB 12, An Act Adopting a Recommendation of the Transportation Finance Group, is under consideration by the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committee. Rep.

Lavielle testified on the bill before the Committee on Friday, Feb. 26.

Click here for her testimony.