Earlier this year, Governor Rell proposed canceling plans to bond for $389 million worth of capital projects as a way to curb Connecticut’s deficit and maintain its bond rating. Unfortunately, the plan impacted a variety of projects that would have promoted more bikeable, walkable and smart growth oriented initiatives. This week, the Connecticut General Assembly took steps to reduce that damage.
![Meriden Hub](https://blog.tstc.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/meriden_hub.jpg)
The Assembly has amended the governor’s bill, passing a $422 million package of cuts that is larger than the governor’s but mutes the impact on bike and pedestrian projects. Of the Committee’s $422 million in cuts, only 6% ($25 million) affect programs that promote bikeable and walkable environments and downtown development, while the Governor’s proposed bond cuts singled out 16% ($61 million).
While most of the Assembly’s cuts to these types of projects were scaled-back versions of the Governor’s proposals, there were a few changes:
- The Assembly restores $9 million for the Meriden Flood Control and Hub project to mitigate serious floods and create a downtown for Meriden.
- The Assembly restores $2 million for the state’s Bikeway, Pedestrian Walkway and Greenway Grant Program. (Gov. Rell would have cut all $6 million to be bonded for the program.)
- The Assembly cuts $10 million for the Responsible Growth Incentive Fund, a program that would award grants of up to $1 million to municipalities or regional planning organizations that implement transit-oriented plans and strategies in designated areas.
The bill passed both houses of the General Assembly unanimously and is awaiting Gov. Rell’s signature.
Deficit-Closing Plan Takes Bite Out of Transportation Fund
Last month, Connecticut’s transportation system took another hit when the General Assembly approved and Gov. Rell signed a $371 million deficit mitigation plan which will transfer $10 million from Connecticut’s Special Transportation Fund into the general fund. The HomeCT grant program, a program dedicated to creating affordable housing in transit-rich and downtown areas, was also cut under the deficit mitigation plan, though by a smaller amount than originally proposed by Governor Rell.
Image: Via City of Meriden.