HARTFORD, CT — It’s taken some time, but Gov. Ned Lamont admitted Tuesday that he may have to wait on his truck-only transportation plan until January.
Following a meeting with legislative leaders, Lamont told reporters that voting on a transportation plan and a bond package in December might not give lawmakers enough time.
“There’s enough votes, but there might not be enough time,” Lamont told reporters Tuesday.
Lamont met with Democratic legislative leaders on Monday afternoon.
On Tuesday following an unrelated event at the state Capitol, Lamont said there will be a public hearing on the truck-only toll proposal “whether it’s now or in January, ask the leadership.”
Lamont said legislative leaders told him Monday that “from a process point of view it might be easier if we put this off until first thing next year.”
Lamont said Democratic legislative leaders support the truck-only toll proposal but doing that the week of Dec. 16 “may be a rush.”
Lamont said there have been hearings on transportation going back a decade and he’s anxious to get it done “six months ago.”
In a joint statement Tuesday night with legislative leaders Lamont said: “In early January 2020, we will convene a special legislative session to address a bonding bill and a long-term plan for Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure. We are committed to investing in transportation without recklessly raiding the rainy day fund, which will only lead to increased taxes and drastic cuts to education, municipal aid, and other vital state programs and services in the future. Through the Democratic transportation plan, we will not only strengthen our economy but shorten daily commutes and protect the financial future of the state. We also want to provide clarity to Connecticut’s cities and towns that rely on municipal aid and funds contained within the bonding bill. Once the bill is passed, we are committed to scheduling an immediate meeting of the Bond Commission to allocate bonding to cities and towns.”