Congestion tolling, a higher sales tax and increasing the state gas tax to the 1990s rate of 39 cents per gallon are among the ideas being recommended to help fund Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy's proposed $100 billion transportation overhaul.The report by the Transportation Finance Panel also calls for a constitutional amendment that creates a so-called lockbox, preventing transportation funds from being spent elsewhere. In a news conference carried by WFSB, the Democratic Governor stressed its importance after General Electric announced it’s moving its headquarters from Fairfield to Boston.
“I will tell you that a transportation lockbox is paramount to the business community,” said Malloy.
The report comes as the General Assembly prepares to convene Feb. 3.
Malloy says he doesn't expect any of the tax proposals to be voted on this session because it’s a legislative election year. He says lawmakers first need to send the lockbox legislation to voters in November.
Information from The Associated Press was used this report.