Connecticut economy needs transportation upgrade

(March 14, 2006) Because moving people and products in Connecticut has to be easy, flexible and dependable in order for the state’s economy to reach its potential, CBIA testified before the Transportation Committee last week on HB-5715, which implements the strategy and specific transportation proposals recommended by the state’s Transportation Strategy Board (TSB).

The bill would set in motion a $5 billion, 10-year transportation plan encompassing road improvements, expansion of mass transit, new rail lines, greater use of state ports and many other upgrades.

Funding for the plan would come from bonding, several phased increases to the state’s petroleum gross receipts tax and matching federal dollars.

Last year, the General Assembly enacted Gov. Rell’s $1.3 billion package of transportation improvements. This year, the governor is proposing an additional $344 million in upgrades.

CBIA supports raising the necessary new funds primarily from activities associated with the use of transportation assets and systems. Lawmakers should also aggressively explore new or more flexible funding options recently made available through the passage of the federal transportation funding bill.

For many years, CBIA’s Board of Directors has made transportation improvements a top priority because Connecticut’s economy needs an effective transportation infrastructure in order to compete with other states and countries.

Building a first-class transportation system will enable Connecticut to easily connect to regional, national and international trade routes, creating the opportunity for the state’s economy to flourish.

The association organized a coalition to support the creation of the TSB in 2000 and has since worked with the TSB, the Department of Transportation and other state, regional and federal officials and organizations to develop and advance a strategic, multimodal transportation agenda.

While HB-5715 calls for an enormous commitment encompassing many years and billions of dollars, CBIA believes the people of Connecticut could be prepared to make the sacrifices of financial resources.

The key is that Connecticut’s people and businesses want to be sure that the tax dollars will be levied fairly, used effectively, administered efficiently, and protected from being appropriated for other uses during tough budgetary times.

Connecticut needs to quickly move forward with a comprehensive implementation of the TSB’s strategy.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Eric Brown at 860-244-1900 or browne@cbia.com.