Protection of Special Transportation Fund and Development of State’s Deep-Water Ports
HARTFORD – Two pieces of legislation linked to proposals submitted by State Representative Gail Lavielle (R-143) cleared the General Assembly’s Transportation Committee today.
S.J. No. 23 is a resolution proposing an amendment to the State Constitution limiting the use of moneys contained in the Special Transportation Fund to transportation-related projects. H.B. 5289 would create a Port Authority to develop, promote, and manage Connecticut’s three deep-water ports in Bridgeport, New Haven, and New London.
As in all even-numbered years, this year individual legislators may propose only bills that are fiscal in nature. Legislation on any other subject may be proposed only by legislative committees. Rep. Lavielle had submitted letters suggesting the resolution and the bill that cleared the Transportation Committee today to the Committee’s leadership in January.
“I am very pleased by the Transportation Committee’s unanimous vote on both of these pieces of important legislation,” said Rep. Lavielle, “because bipartisan support is crucial for their eventual passage in the full House and Senate.”
Commenting on the two pieces of legislation, Rep. Lavielle said, “Protecting the money in the Special Transportation Fund from diversion for other purposes is crucial for the maintenance, repair, and improvement of our roads, bridges, rails, and other transportation infrastructure. I believe that creating a Port Authority to focus on developing our deep-water ports will stimulate business, improve the movement of freight, and reduce highway traffic congestion, and this will make Connecticut a more competitive place to do business.”
Rep. Lavielle recently testified before the Committee on both S.J. No. 23 and HB 5289. Her testimony is available at the following links:
Lavielle testimony on S.J. No. 23