Special session on tolls called off for next week, hearing still scheduled for Friday

Hundreds of people are expected at the state capitol Friday for a hearing over the tolls bill – but only those selected in a lottery system will be able to voice their opinions.

News 12 Staff

Jan 30, 2020, 10:41 PM

Updated 1,549 days ago

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Hundreds of people are expected at the state capitol Friday for a hearing over the tolls bill -- but a special session legislative session for the tolls plan has been called off.
State officials say that plans are canceled for a special session next week on trucks-only highway tolls.
Republicans said the "writing" in the tolls bill is a problem. The plan limits tolls to just tractor-trailers, but state Sen. Tony Hwang (R-Fairfield) says that “no one believes it’s going to be trucks only.”
Republicans say the law has a big loophole – car tolls can be added in the event of an "emergency."
Joe McGee, the vice president of public policy and programs in the Fairfield County Business Council, says an "emergency" clause is standard language.
"You have a hurricane that wipes out the infrastructure. You need to pay for it," he told News 12.
Gov. Ned Lamont accused Republicans are fearmongering Thursday.
"They're just making it up at the last hour. If they want to come in and defend…taking money from the Rainy Day Fund, put your own bill up. Stop sitting around complaining from the sidelines," says Lamont.
Some say, there are still too many unanswered questions.
"There's also no numbers included with this bill. Cost for implementation, cost for maintaining," says state Rep. Laura Devlin (R-Fairfield).
Transportation leaders from Rhode Island will be speaking at Friday’s hearing. They are facing a lawsuit over a similar toll bill they have in place.
It will take 60% approval from lawmakers for the bill to pass.


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