Minority Republicans in the House of Representatives are trying to petition the legislature into special session to block a planned study of electronic tolling — a move that may have greater implications for the fall election season than for the tolls analysis.
Reps. Vincent J. Candelora of North Branford, Jason Perillo of Shelton and Noreen Kokoruda of Madison delivered 66 House Republican signatures to Secretary of the State Denise Merrill’s office Thursday afternoon.
It would take signatures from a majority of both chambers to call the legislature into special session, which means 76 from the House and 24 from the Senate.
And even if that threshold is achieved, that wouldn’t mean the legislature would necessarily vote on blocking the tolls study. Two Democrats, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz of Berlin and Senate President Pro Tem Martin M. Looney of New Haven, share exclusive, joint control over the ability to place emergency certified bills on the legislature’s agenda.
Aresimowicz, who has said he believes Connecticut cannot finance a major rebuilding of its aging, overcrowded transportation infrastructure without tolls, didn’t seem inclined to cooperate with the House GOP effort.
“This is the type of political grandstanding that has gotten our state in trouble over the years,” the speaker said Thursday. “If the minority leader would like to have an honest debate on how we can fix our failing roads and bridges without putting it solely on Connecticut taxpayers, I’ll work to call us in tomorrow.”
Looney also appeared disinterested in a special session. The governor has said it will take transportation officials about nine months to solicit and select a consultant to perform the study, meaning the work most likely won’t begin until the after Malloy’s successor takes office in January. This would give the next governor and legislature ample time to cancel the project if they wish.
“The lead time and build-up to this this study will be substantial and will provide ample time for the 2019 General Assembly — in consultation with the new governor — to pursue the merits of the new study,” Looney said. “We cannot deny the reality that substantial new investment in transportation infrastructure must be dealt with forthrightly and not with unrealistic plans that, in effect, would make it impossible for the state to provide critical funds for schools, municipalities, nonprofits and other valid essential services.”
Still, House Republicans said they felt it was crucial to begin putting pressure on the legislature to counter steps taken Wednesday by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and the State Bond Commission.
The commission approved Malloy’s request for $10 million in financing for an analysis of establishing electronic tolling on most Connecticut highways.
The governor is not seeking re-election this fall. And with a little more than five months left in his term, critics say the tolls issue should be resolved by Malloy’s successor and by the 2019 General Assembly.
“This year the legislature clearly did not expend any money for the purposes of a toll study,” Candelora said. “What the governor is attempting to do now is just circumvent the budget process.”
Malloy spokesman Chris McClure said “These repeated attempts to prevent the state from studying the future of transportation funding make it clear Connecticut Republicans simply do not care our state’s economic future — but only care about political stunts to help them in November. Our state must move forward to be competitive and there is no reasonable or rational person who believes we will be successful relying on gasoline taxes alone. Nevertheless, there is a biting hypocrisy in Republicans protesting a perceived waste of taxpayer dollars on a study by insisting on holding a costly symbolic special session that will accomplish nothing.”
Republicans control 71 out of 151 seats in the House. Candelora said the five GOP representatives who have not signed the petition yet are on vacation, but already have indicated their willingness to do so upon their return.
Once some petition signatures have been submitted, legislators seeking to force a special session have 30 days to secure all the signatures necessary — or else they must begin the process all over.
Democrats in the House and Senate as well as Senate Republicans have not announced any petition efforts to date.
Spokespeople for the Senate caucuses did not comment immediately after the House GOP petition drive announcement.
Candelora said House Republicans are hopeful other caucuses will participate in the petition effort.
I would hope there would be some Democrats willing to come forward to have this conversation,” he said.
Candelora acknowledged that legislators who don’t sign the petition to force a special session could face repercussions on the campaign trail.
Stamford’s Silicon Harbor still awaits tenants
Paul Schott
Three years after its sale, the sprawling Silicon Harbor office complex in the city’s South End is still working to live up to its name.
The approximately 470,000-square-foot property stands empty, other than its landlord’s offices. In a still-recovering office market, the former home of technology firm Pitney Bowes has yet to morph into the technology hub envisioned by owner Building and Land Technology. But BLT officials said they remain optimistic about Silicon Harbor, citing their ongoing improvements to the waterfront edifice and track record at other office hubs in the city.
“BLT has had exceptional success creating office environments that appeal to tenants and make it easy for them to decide to relocate to Stamford or remain here and expand,” BLT Chief Operating Officer Ted Ferrarone said in a statement. “Many Stamford office properties require significant renovation, reconfiguration and amenitization in order to offer today’s corporations the modern office environment that they require.”
BLT did not make Ferrarone or any other executives available for an interview for this article.
Property overhaul
BLT acquired the building at 1 Elmcroft Road in July 2015 for $38.5 million, after Pitney Bowes had downsized and moved its headquarters within the city, to 3001 Summer St. Pitney had been based at 1 Elmcroft from 1986 to 2014.As the developer of the neighboring mixed-use Harbor Point project, BLT knew the area well.
Since 2009, BLT has constructed about 3,000 apartments at Harbor Point — with several hundred additional units under construction — and developed a surrounding network of restaurants and stores.
The firm also owns three other office buildings in the South End that are filled with tenants: 333 Ludlow St., 2200 Atlantic St. and 100 Washington Blvd.
Following the purchase of the I.M. Pei & Partners-designed structure, BLT renamed it Silicon Harbor, a nod to Silicon Valley that highlighted its goal of attracting technology businesses.
Digital firms are already building up their presence in Stamford. Job-search giant Indeed embarked last year on a state-backed project to increase the headcount at its downtown offices from about 700 to around 1,200 in the coming years.
Meanwhile, a full renovation, which includes a new facade, is underway at Silicon Harbor and set to be completed by the end of the year. BLT did not disclose the refurbishment’s cost.
“Our updates will bring it into the modern era, creating an environment that will appeal to the technology, media and creative workforce,” Ferrarone said in the statement.
But the upgrades and technology sector’s local growth have not yet reaped tenants for Silicon Harbor. Only BLT’s own offices are now based there.
“Silicon Harbor has a great location, and it’s in one of the corridors where there are a lot of small but growing companies,” said Jackie Lightfield, executive director of the nonprofit Stamford Partnership, which focuses on developing the city’s business community. “It’s just a question of who’s going to grow more rapidly than the others and be able to eventually help fill that space at Silicon Harbor.”
A message left for Thomas Madden, the city’s economic development director, was not returned.
Leasing prospects
Like other landlords, BLT grapples with a leasing market that still has not returned to prerecession performance levels. City vacancy rates are running at more than 25 percent, according to a number of commercial real estate firms’ calculations.
But leasing activity is gaining momentum.
Last week, professional-services firm KPMG announced that it would move its Stamford offices next spring from 3001 Summer St., to the downtown office complex at 677 Washington Blvd. Without a tenant since investment-banking powerhouse UBS relocated its downsized local offices across the street in 2016, the approximately 700,000-square-foot 677 Washington stands as the largest office vacancy in Stamford.
The progress in recent years of another BLT property, the downtown office complex at 200 Elm St.-695 Elm St., offers another reference point for Silicon Harbor. BLT acquired that site in 2012, when it was entirely vacant, following the relocation years earlier of reinsurer Gen Re’s main offices to 120 Long Ridge Road.
Professional-services firm Deloitte took about 120,000 square feet in 2014. Last year brought another two arrivals: Consumer-goods firm Henkel set up its new North American headquarters in about 155,000 square feet, while professional-services firm RSM took about 29,000 square feet. This year has seen IT firm CA Technologies, hedge fund Tudor Investment and Webster Bank sign leases for a total of approximately 75,000 square feet.
Tenants now take up nearly two-thirds of the 200 Elm-695 E. Main property“Much like Silicon Harbor, 695 East Main-200 Elm was a former corporate headquarters that we successfully transformed,” Ferrarone said in the statement. “We aim to repeat that success with Silicon Harbor. … Leasing interest in Silicon Harbor has been strong, and we look forward to announcing our first tenant.”
State approves funding for housing, redevelopment, museums
Bill Cummings and Barry Lytton
Stamford got a big boost from the State Bond Commission on Wednesday, with $8.4 million approved for projects in the City That Works.
“Stamford is a hub of economic and civic activity. I’m happy the Bond Commission recognizes that and eases the burden on local taxpayers by underwriting the cost of these local improvements,” said state Sen. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford, in a news release. “I’m especially happy the state will pay to finish the redesign of Veterans Park, which is a project that I and others have been working on for several years.... it will serve as a reminder every day of the contributions of America’s vets.”
The commission also provided funding to expand the Port of New Haven, make improvements to Discovery and Barnum museums in Bridgeport and Stern Village in Trumbull, and build housing and spur redevelopment in Norwalk.
Smaller city projects to move ahead with bond funding include $850,000 to the Stamford Charter School for Excellence and $823,000 to Optimus Health, both for renovations. The Boys and Girls Club at the Yerwood Center was granted $255,000 to install an elevator, and Rippowam Middle School and Westhill High were awarded $243,000 “to address building and site deficiencies,” the release said.
The Norwalk funding includes $250,000 feasibility study for a new train station and $1.5 million to help Connecticut Public Broadcasting develop an Innovation and Tech Education Center on Wall Street.
Norwalk received $6 million to finance 85 new housing units at Washington Village on the south side of Raymond Street.“The Innovation and Technology Center is an exciting project that will serve as a creative hub where community organizations and businesses can share ideas and resources to grow their fledgling businesses,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff, D-Norwalk.
Connecticut Public Broadcasting President and CEO Jerry Franklin added “We are striving to create another innovative learning center with the Norwalk Public Schools, which will train high school students and veterans in the field of journalism, digital media, project management and life skills.”
The Barnum Museum in Bridgeport received a $6.9 million grant to help with construction and infrastructure repairs and improvements, building stabilization and site improvements.
Trumbull received $5.3 million grant for improvements to the Stern Village elderly rental complex.
“I am proud to secure funding for these excellent projects in my district and across the state,” said State Sen. Marilyn Moore,” D-Bridgeport.
Other funding approved by the commission includes:$3.4 million to build rental housing in Greenwich.$1.5 million to improve the Connecticut Children’s Museum in New Haven.
$8 million to finance flood control and shoreline rehabilitation at East Shore Park and Long Wharf in New Haven.
$751,000 to purchase four parcels of Department of Transportation surplus property adjacent to the Port of New Haven for maritime use.
State approves $7.75 million for CPTV center, other Norwalk projects
Robert Koch
NORWALK — Connecticut Public Television’s plan to create an innovation and tech center on Wall Street got a $1.5 million boost from the State Bond Commission on Wednesday.
“We are delighted that the State of Connecticut continues to support our statewide educational initiatives and are truly grateful to (state) Senator Bob Duff for championing our efforts in Norwalk, an area of growth for Connecticut Public Television and Radio,” Connecticut Public Broadcasting President and CEO Jerry Franklin said in a statement.
“We are striving to create another innovative learning center with the Norwalk Public Schools, which will train high school students and veterans in the field of journalism, digital media, project management and life skills. When we first approached Senator Duff two years ago, he immediately embraced this idea and has become our chief advocate,” Franklin continued.
The facility would be Connecticut’s first digital-themed business incubation center for startups and digital entrepreneurs and serve six to 10 businesses a year. Duff described the proposed center as an exciting project that will serve as a creative hub where “community organizations and businesses can share ideas and resources to grow their fledgling businesses.”At the same time, the location of the tech center remains up on the air.
“One of the things we’ll be doing is looking to identify a site to determine a location that best matches what they (CPTV) want to do with available space, but it will not be the Fairfield County Bank,” said Duff, D-Norwalk.
In fall 2016, the PBS affiliate’s parent submitted to Norwalk Building officials plans for a 15,000-square-foot “Connecticut Public Broadcasting Norwalk Innovation and Tech Center” at 67-90 Wall St. The property, home to Fairfield County Savings Bank, was recently purchased by local real estate broker Jason Milligan.
Train station study
In other business, the State Bond Commission also approved Wednesday $250,000 to study the feasibility of bringing a train station back to the Wall Street area.
“Doing a feasibility study is important first step in the long-term development of the Wall Street area,” state Rep. Chris Perone, D-Norwalk, said in the press statement. “Increasing transportation options will encourage residential and retail growth in the area.”During the first part of the 20th century, a train station serving the New York, New Haven and Hartford Railroad operated from 47 Wall St. The push to open a new station comes amid ongoing apartment construction in the Wall Street and West Avenue neighborhoods.
For South Norwalk, the State Bond Commission approved Wednesday $6 million for phase two of the Washington Village Transformation Plan. The money will help finance a new 85-unit building on the south side of Raymond Street, between Day and Water streets.
$6M for Washington Village
The Norwalk Housing Authority and Boston-based developer Trinity Financial are rebuilding Washington Village under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Choice Neighborhoods Program. The goal of the program is to build high-quality, mixed-income housing, provide children and families with educational and other services, and to spur public and private investment.
“It’s an important component to the overall funding and we’re glad that they’ve done it quickly,” Housing Authority Executive Director Adam Bovilsky said of the $6 million approved by the Bond Commission.Four-percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits will support construction of 42 units with 10 market rate units and 32 units for households earning up to 60 percent of the area median income. Nine-percent Low-Income Housing Tax Credits will help build 43 units, with 10 market-rate units and 33 units for households earning up to 60 percent of area median income, Duff’s office said.
“The redevelopment of Washington Village is great news for the neighborhood and the city,” Duff said. “Quality affordable housing and the renovation of nearby Ryan Park are important efforts to benefit neighborhood residents.”
Money for Darien, Stamford
Norwalk wasn’t the only city that received funding through the State Bond Commission on Wednesday.
Old Town Hall Houses, an affordable housing community for seniors in Darien, received $6 million to assist with the demolition and new construction of 55 affordable elderly rental units. The new, modern units will include handicap-accessible upgrades and elevators.
Stamford got a big boost from the State Bond Commission on Wednesday, with $8.4 million approved for projects in the City That Works.
Professional services giant KPMG was granted a $3 million loan to assist with a Stamford expansion that will retain 546 jobs and create up to 110 new positions within four years, while $2 million was awarded for the completion of improvements to Veterans Park, and $1.2 million was earmarked for a roof replacement at the Rich Forum and new seating-and-aisle lighting at the Palace Theatre.
“Stamford is a hub of economic and civic activity. I’m happy the Bond Commission recognizes that and eases the burden on local taxpayers by underwriting the cost of these local improvements,” said state Sen. Carlo Leone, D-Stamford, in a news release. “I’m especially happy the state will pay to finish the redesign of Veterans Park, which is a project that I and others have been working on for several years ... it will serve as a reminder every day of the contributions of America’s vets.”
The commission also provided funding to expand the Port of New Haven, make improvements to Discovery and Barnum museums in Bridgeport and Stern Village in Trumbull. Smaller city projects to move ahead with bond funding include $850,000 to the Stamford Charter School for Excellence and $823,000 to Optimus Health, both for renovations. The Boys and Girls Club at the Yerwood Center was granted $255,000 to install an elevator, and Rippowam Middle School and Westhill High were awarded $243,000 “to address building and site deficiencies,” the release said.
More downtown Hartford apartments set
Gregory Seay
Yet another proposed offices-to-apartments conversion has emerged for downtown Hartford -- a $5.6 million redevelopment of the five-story Lewtan Building at 28 High St., next door to the Teachers Corner housing conversion underway on Asylum Street.
Vernon investor-developer Constantinos "Dino" Constantinou, doing business as CCAM LLC, confirmed Wednesday his plans to convert, partly with Capital Region Development Authority (CRDA) funding, his vacant, 35,000-square-foot office building into 28 affordable and market-rate studio, one- and two-bedroom apartments.
Units will range in size from about 600 square feet for studios; around 750 square feet for one bedrooms; and about 890 to 920 square feet for two-bed units, he said. As many as seven of the units will rent for $850 to $1,000 a month and set aside as "affordable'' for qualified tenants; the rest will bear market-rate rents ranging from $1,250 to $1,450 a month.
Constantinou, who says he emigrated to Connecticut from Greece two decades ago, bought 28 High St. in 2016 for $1 million. Built in the 1850s and largely vacant at the time he purchased it, the building is structurally sound, he said, and will require minimal exterior work.
"I love the building,'' he said. "It's been in disarray for three or four years.''
Constantinou said he senses the momentum downtown Hartford is building with the addition of more apartments, the opening of the minor-league ballpark, and the city's efforts to rekindle redevelopment of the "Downtown North,'' or DoNo quadrant, abutting the ballpark.
"There's so much happening there right now,'' he said.
Most of the renovations will be done inside, with work remediating metal-plating debris and residue likely to start this fall once CRDA and Constantinou's other financial partners sign off on a financing package for the development. Hartford's Crosskey Architects is the designer.
According to CRDA Executive Director Michael Freimuth, the quasi-public agency charged with funding certain economic and redevelopment projects in Hartford has pledged to help fund Constantinou's vision.
Of the $5.6 million development pricetag, $1.08 million is bank financing; $1.2 million comes through the sale to investors of historic tax credits; $1.37 million in equity from Constantinou; and a $1.9 million "gap loan'' from CRDA, Freimuth said.
If work on 28 High proceeds, it will be the final building in that block to be restored to productive use, Freimuth said.
CRDA has funded, or pledged to fund, more than 150 apartments and condominiums within a two-block downtown radius of Constantinou's development.
Next door, work continues toward completion of the conversion of the former Capitol Center office building at 370 Asylum St., overlooking Bushnell Park. Hartford developer Jose Ramirez is underway with his $1.4 million creation of eight condominiums above the former Mayor Mike's Restaurant space at 289 Asylum St.
At 410 Asylum, nonprofit Common Ground operates The Hollander, housing 70 units that it converted into affordable and market-rate apartments.
The Lewtan Building is named for Lewtan Industries, founded by Connecticut brothers Marvin and Robert Lewtan to engage in manufacturing and other businesses, including production and marketing of the Mighty Grip Jar Opener. Marvin Lewtan died in 1988.
Developer wants to build 92 single-family homes in Bristol
Sean Teehan
Connecticut's pace of new home construction has slowed in recent years but that's not stopping a development company from plotting a major housing project in Bristol.
Trademark Acquisitions LLC is looking for the city's permission to erect 92 single-family homes on Bristol's west end.
The developer bought the nearly 56-acre vacant lot along Barlow Street and Farrell Avenue about two years ago, said Mark Ziogas, an attorney representing Trademark, which is currently seeking the Planning Commission's project approval.
"We feel … the price range … for new homes is going to be affordable and they're going to be good for young families that don't want to buy a fixer-upper," Ziogas said in an interview.
Dubbed the Laurentide Glen subdivision, the plan already received a zoning easement from the city, allowing for a more densely built development as long as 25 percent of the land remains open space, said Chris Schaut, Bristol's assistant city planner.
Under current plans, Laurentide Glen would include 14 acres of open space, about 10 of which will abut Barlow Street, Schaut said.
The proposed development dwarfs what is typically seen for similar subdivision projects in Bristol, Schaut said. Single-family home developments in the city usually comprise of five to 15 lots, he said.
"This is much larger in scale than what we've seen in recent years," Schaut said.
Trademark will next appear before Bristol's Planning Commission at a special meeting scheduled for Aug. 29, Schaut said.
Ziogas declined to detail cost projections. He said Trademark doesn't currently have a timeline for the project, but that under the proposal, it would be rolled out in six phases.
Trademark Acquisitions LLC registered with the Secretary of the State's office in 2016, records show. Its members include Bristol residents Todd Plourde and Matthew Luba and Middletown resident Gino Troiano Jr., state records show.
"It's a big project, so there's a lot of moving parts," Ziogas said. "We just have to get them all in a row."
What To Know About About Malloy's $10 Million Toll Study
The State Bond Commission this week approved a contentious, $10 million study on the feasibility of electronic tolling.
The study, backed by Gov. Dannel P. Malloy, was approved over objections from two Republicans and the Democratic state comptroller, Kevin Lembo. Several gubernatorial candidates have vowed to quash the study, which won’t be conducted until after Malloy’s successor takes office. Tolls are always polarizing in Connecticut and, given the study’s price tag, don’t expect outrage over the multimillion-dollar diagnostic to fade soon. Here’s what you need to know about the study
What will it examine?
Two things: an environmental assessment, and how much to charge motorists. Connecticut residents could be charged less than out-of-state drivers, and rates could be scaled to peak travel times, with higher tolls during rush hour and lower tolls at less busy times.
Has the state done this before?
Yes. The Department of Transportation completed a study in 2016 that proposed “congestion pricing,” or charging drivers more during peak travel times and reducing tolls during less busy hours. If tolls were installed on the interstates, along with Routes 2, 8, 9 and the Merritt Parkway, the model could bring in $750 million a year, James Redeker, the DOT commissioner, told state lawmakers last year.But “we would be the only state in the nation that tolled that much,” Redeker warned.
Who supported the study?
Malloy was joined by Ben Barnes, the Office of Policy and Management secretary; George Jepsen, the attorney general; and three other board members in approving the $10 million study.
Comptroller Kevin Lembo and two Republicans, Sen. L. Scott Frantz of Greenwich and Rep. Christopher Davis of Ellington, voted against it. State Treasurer Denise Nappier, an outgoing Democrat, abstained.
Does the legislature have a say?
Republican lawmakers are trying to call a special session in hopes of defunding the study. GOP leaders argue Malloy should not be allowed to approve a study that won’t begin until after he’s left office. Malloy said Wednesday it would likely take nine months to approve a vendor to conduct it. He leaves office in six.
How much revenue could tolling generate?
Between $750 million and $1 billion a year. The DOT study from 2016 estimated annual revenues from the congestion pricing model at $750 million; Redeker said Wednesday tolling could raise as much as $1 billion a year.
How much of that revenue would come from Connecticut pockets?
About 60 percent, according to estimates from Malloy and Redeker. The rest would be paid by out-of-state drivers.
Where would the tolls be?
Interstates 95, 91 and 84, and the Merritt and Wilbur Cross Parkways. Under the 2016 DOT model, Routes 2, 8 and 9 would also be tolled.
Tolls can only be implemented with a vote by the legislature. Lawmakers nearly put tolling to a vote this session before tabling it at the last minute. A January poll from AAA found 47 percent of Connecticut motorists favored tolling on interstates, and most strongly favored funneling toll revenues into a so-called lock box, to be spent only on transportation projects.
How has tolling been done in neighboring states?
Massachusetts did away with toll booths and rolled out electronic tolling gantries in October 2016. Rhode Island began electronic tolling in June — but only for tractor-trailers. In their first month, gantries on Interstate 95 reportedly raised $625,000.
But the American Trucking Association has sued the state, calling it an unlawful blockade of constitutional rights to commerce that showed “tremendous arrogance and reckless disregard for Rhode Island taxpayers and the business community, who will ultimately get the bill for this ill-conceived tolling scheme.”
Where do the candidates for governor stand on the study?
Ned Lamont, a Greenwich Democrat, called it a waste of money. But Lamont, who won his party’s endorsement earlier this summer, says he supports tolling for out-of-state truckers.
Oz Griebel, an independent candidate from Hartford, has championed tolls but said the study is redundant. Republicans David Stemerman of Greenwich and Bob Stefanowski of Madison said the study is a waste.
Joe Ganim, Bridgeport’s Democratic mayor, backed both the study and tolls, saying their absence is “a drag on our cities and the economy.”
GOP Seeks Special Session To Stop $10 Million Tolls Study
House Republicans said Thursday that they have collected 66 of the 76 signatures needed to force a special legislative session to block Gov. Dannel P. Malloy’s $10 million study of electronic tolls on Connecticut highways.
They are trying to prohibit the spending of the money, but they also need 19 signatures in the evenly split Senate to force the special session. Republicans have been strongly opposed to Malloy’s study, which was approved Wednesday by the State Bond Commission on a largely party-line vote.
“We do have control over the budget and policy, and this year the legislature very clearly did not expend any money for the purposes of a toll study,’’ said deputy House Republican leader Vincent Candelora of North Branford. “We also flatly rejected the implementation of tolls. What the governor now attempted to do is circumvent the budget process. … What the legislature could come back and say is, ‘This is a policy we do not want to revisit in the next five months.’‘’
But House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz of Berlin, a strong supporter of tolls, dismissed the idea.
“This is the type of political grandstanding that has gotten our state in trouble over the years,’’ Aresimowicz said. “If the minority leader would like to have an honest debate on how we can fix our failing roads and bridges without putting it solely on Connecticut taxpayers, I’ll work to call us in tomorrow.”The petitions submitted by Republicans state that the special session is needed “for the purpose of prohibiting the expenditure of taxpayer funds to study and evaluate the establishment of tolls in Connecticut.’’
Since Malloy is not seeking re-election, he will be leaving office in January. Republicans said the Democratic-dominated bond commission should not have approved any money for the toll study because it could take nine months to hire a consultant — long after a new governor is elected.
Because opposition to tolls is bipartisan, Republicans believe they can obtain some Democratic signatures to force a special session.
Besides Malloy, the five other Democrats on the bond commission who voted in favor of the study Wednesday were Sen. John Fonfara of Hartford, Rep. Jason Rojas of East Hartford, state budget director Ben Barnes, state Attorney General George Jepsen and Department of Administrative Services Deputy Commissioner Toni M. Fatone.
Republicans conceded that the toll study could become a campaign issue over the coming months.
He added, “The presumption is a new administration will have to deal with this transportation issue.’’
Senate President Pro Tem Martin Looney, a New Haven Democrat, said there will be no conclusions to the study until long after a new governor is chosen. State officials say that it could take nine months to choose a consulting firm and then another year to complete the study.
"The lead time and build-up to this study will be substantial and will provide ample time for the 2019 General Assembly — in consultation with the new governor — to pursue the merits of the new study,’’ Looney said. “We cannot deny the reality that substantial new investment in transportation infrastructure must be dealt with forthrightly and not with unrealistic plans that, in effect, would make it impossible for the state to provide critical funds for schools, municipalities, nonprofits and other valid essential services."