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.