HARTFORD — Even as Gov. Ned Lamont and top Democrats in the legislature trumpet the need for tolls, passage is by no means certain.
A vote on tolls in the House is likely to be close because some House Democrats oppose or have serious concerns. With House Republicans promising to vote as a bloc against tolls, House Democrats can only afford 16 no votes from their party to pass tolls.
Four House Democrats told Hearst Connecticut Media this week they will vote against all toll legislation. Two others said they will vote no on the bill as currently written. Several others would not commit to a no vote, but said they had serious questions that must be addressed in the final draft of the bill.
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Meanwhile, Lamont’s administration said Wednesday it believed toll legislation would pass this session. Lamont has traveled the state speaking about the need to use revenue from tolling passenger cars to invest in the state’s transportation infrastructure, although on the campaign trail he said he only supported tolling trucks.
“I’m confident that we will be able to win the argument at the end of the day,” said Ryan Drajewicz, chief of staff to Lamont, who was in D.C. Wednesday and Thursday, where he met with U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao.
House Democrats discussed tolls as a caucus for the first time Wednesday, but did not take a vote count.
“I’m not even skiing for the votes yet,” said Speaker of the...
from News https://www.ctpost.com/politics/article/With-Democrats-divided-passage-of-tolls-no-sure-13725981.php
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