Archives
Categories

Connecticut’s Legislative Session Makes Progress on Funding and Regionalism, but not on Safety

During the hectic close to Connecticut’s legislative session, which ended on June 5, the General Assembly passed needed legislation to protect against transportation budget raids. But legislators again failed to pass “vulnerable user” legislation that would have improved street safety for pedestrians, cyclists and others.

Transportation Funding

As MTR has reported, the General Assembly passed language restricting the use of the state’s Special Transportation Fund for transportation purposes. In a statement, Tri-State Transportation Campaign Executive Director Veronica Vanterpool said the measure was “encouraging” and would help “restore public trust.” Transit for Connecticut Coordinator Karen Burnaska said it “should help stabilize funding for transit and reassure Connecticut citizens that their tax dollars are being used wisely.”  Unfortunately, the lockbox bill will do nothing to prevent the 2014-15 budget, also passed last week, from raiding nearly $110 million from the Special Transportation Fund.

While measures to allow tolls garnered plenty of media attention earlier in the year, none advanced. Lawmakers had moved a bill calling on the Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) to study a statewide tolling system, as well as a bill to allow tolls just for the extension of Route 11 in southeastern Connecticut, even though it is unlikely that tolls could cover the cost of the estimated $1.5 billion project.

Legislators did not pass a proposal to eliminate the local property tax on cars, which brings in about $500 million annually in revenue for municipalities. In an editorial, the Hartford Courant argued that while there may be a need to reform the car tax, “if the state is trying to promote the use of transit,” it doesn’t make sense to end the tax completely.

In addition, proposals from Governor Malloy to provide funding for deficient local bridges and speed up local transportation projects were both included in the state’s bonding bill (SB975) and passed.

Safety

Legislators once again failed to pass vulnerable user legislation that would have created penalties for careless driving that injures or kills pedestrians, cyclists, highway workers and other “vulnerable users” of the road. The bill unanimously passed the Senate behind the efforts of safety champion State Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford). But it did not receive a vote in the House, despite determined efforts by advocates and the bill’s lead House sponsor, Rep. Roland Lemar (D-New Haven). The bill had broad support from 20 organizations and members of both parties. It’s not clear where opposition came from in the House, since the bill was never voted on. Only three House members voted against the bill in committee: Reps. Rob Sampson (R-Southington), Mike Alberts (R-Brooklyn) and Richard Smith (R-New Fairfield).

Pedestrian and cycling advocates were cheered by the passage of measures to increase penalties for distracted driving (HB6033) and the addition of a question on distracted driving to the state driving exam. Earlier in the session, advocates defeated efforts to require cyclists to ride in single file on roads.

Planning and Organization

The legislature took steps toward consolidating the state’s ten metropolitan planning organizations (MPOs), directing the Office of Policy and Management “to conduct an analysis of the boundaries of logical planning regions” (the language was added to the budget implementer bill, HB6706). That analysis may draw heavily from a commission on regionalism, which was convened by House Speaker Brendan Sharkey and recommended five MPOs as the ideal number for Connecticut. MPOs coordinate regional planning and determine how federal transportation funding is distributed, and will gain additional responsibilities under the new federal transportation law, MAP-21. Supporters say Connecticut could benefit from a smaller number of stronger MPOs.

Finally, lawmakers passed a proposal to expand the Metro-North Commuter Council (part of a government restructuring package, HB6363) while changing language that would have given the governor the ability to appoint the council’s chairman. The new, renamed Connecticut Commuter Rail Council must have at least one member representing Shore Line East riders and at least one member representing residents served by the new New Haven-Hartford-Springfield Line. Council members will retain the ability to appoint their own chairperson.

Share This Post on Social
Subscribe
Notify of
guest

8 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments
DingDong
DingDong
10 years ago

Too bad that Malloy can’t kick that windbag and parking-garage lover Cameron off the council.

rail rider
rail rider
10 years ago

Too bad Malloy can’t keep his hands off the fare box. Tax and spend isn’t bringing in enough money for him so he has to take it from the working stiff who has to commute to work by bus or train.
Guys like Cameron keep the governor on his ties and point out when the politicians and bureaucrats mess up.
Its just common sense to keep the parking garage at the station and not a 1/4 mile away, for us to walk to in the rain and snow. We don’t have a tax payer funded car and driver like Malloy and we aren’t in bed with the developers.

trackback

[…] that injures or kills pedestrians, cyclists or highway workers, passed the Senate unanimously, but never received a full vote in the […]

trackback

[…] Assembly inserted language into the omnibus transportation bill (SB975) that restricts the use of the state’s Special Transportation Fund for transportation […]

trackback

[…] Legislature passed a distracted driving bill in 2013, but a “vulnerable user” bill failed to pass. The bill, which would have created penalties for careless driving that injures or kills […]

trackback

[…] the bill and are working together to support its passage. The bill unanimously passed the Senate last year, but it did not receive a vote in the […]

trackback

[…] it passed the Senate unanimously, but despite having broad support from members of both parties, the bill was never voted on in the House of […]

trackback

[…] in the Connecticut General Assembly. Last year, the bill passed the Senate unanimously, but the session expired before it could be voted on in the House. This year, both houses passed the bill with […]

8
0
Would love your thoughts, please comment.x
()
x