House leader proposes huge transportation package

[NewJeffCT]

James Amman of the CT House for proposing a huge transportation package - it is in the Courant today, but it aims at resolving the issues of traffic congestion in CT... $6 billion+ over 10 years. Legislature will take it up today. I don't mind an increase in the gas tax or a hotel tax, but please no tolls!!

www.courant.com for more details (i'll try to post a link later & bits from the article)

[NewJeffCT]

1. detail & link here

$6.2 Billion Plan Offered To Improve State Travel
Amann Proposal Includes Roads, Railways, Airports

February 8, 2006
By CHRISTOPHER KEATING, Capitol Bureau Chief Saying the state hasn't been bold enough in improving transportation, House Speaker James Amann proposed a gigantic $6.2 billion, 10-year plan Tuesday that would fund road, rail, bus and airport improvements to help commuters traverse the state.

The plan would implement virtually all of the recommendations of the state's transportation strategy board, a bipartisan group that three years ago developed a comprehensive package that was largely ignored by then-Gov. John G. Rowland and the legislature, because the price was too high.

"All options to fund it are on the table - bonding, increased taxes, even tolls," said Amann, D-Milford, adding that his 99-member Democratic caucus is backing him. "Historically, I'm opposed to both" tolls and gasoline tax hikes, he said.

But Gov. M. Jodi Rell - who put through a transportation improvement plan in 2005 - and Republican lawmakers immediately questioned the proposal, saying the expensive plan is not practical until the money is earmarked.

http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-transport0208.artfeb08,0,4165752.story?coll=hc-headlines-home

[AX10]

2. Another reason why Democrats need to house back.

Democrats in charge of congress will be able to bring us our fair share of money. Since 94', our hard earned money has been going subsidize the Bush's lazy base in the Red States .

[NewJeffCT]

4. This is the state of Connecticut house & senate

Not the national one.

CT Dems control both houses pretty solidly here - near 2/3 majority.

[AX10]

6. I know that. I live in CT.

[madinmaryland]

3. Are they going to finally do some more upgrade

work on Metro North in CT. I don't know how many hot cars I road in the summer and cold ones in the winter. They need more than $6b to improve the entire public transporation infrastructure.

[NewJeffCT]

5. yes, that was in Rell's $1.3 billion proposal

I think it was for like 300+ new cars and upgrades.

[bigwillq]

7. I am SO against the tolls.

I would rather pay more taxes.

My friend's brother and sister died in the toll accident that happened in Stratford many years ago.
I think tolls cause more traffic.

[NewJeffCT]

8. more traffic, more pollution

My ex-wife was from NJ, where you have to pay tolls basically every time you left your driveway, and then every few car lengths after that...

I remember hearing on the radio they were talking about a way to reduce pollution, and I was thinking that a simple way was to get rid of the tolls... then, replace that money by either raising the gas tax and/or raising the property tax on cars.