AASHTO Journal, 18 December 2015
Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy said he will try again in the upcoming legislative session to get the General Assembly to protect transportation funds from being tapped for other budget needs, through a “lockbox” amendment to the state constitution.
“Once again next session, we will push constitutional lockbox for transportation dollars,” Malloy said. “These projects are too important, so I will continue to push for a covenant between residents and the state of Connecticut. Dollars dedicated towards transportation should be used only for that purpose.”
He made the statement Dec. 15 in a press release that announced funding approval for two major highway projects. “These two projects we are announcing will improve overall driver safety, capacity, and traffic flow on two of our busiest highways: I-84 in West Hartford and Route 15 in New Haven,” Malloy said.
His pledge on the lockbox effort came shortly after the General Assembly, in a special session this month, overwhelmingly approved a resolution calling for such an amendment but fell short of the required three-fourths supermajority to place the measure before voters next fall, the Connecticut Mirror reported.
That story also said Malloy told reporters he would campaign against any lawmakers who will not support the lockbox amendment next time.
The Mirror said Malloy wants the lockbox before eventually seeking more revenue for his major transportation infrastructure investment plans. A study panel is expected to make recommendations about new sources of funding next year, “and the legislature is unlikely to consider a vote on any tax increases until after the 2016 elections,” it said.
The report also said some lawmakers complained the governor’s lockbox proposal was not tight enough, while others were pressing to leave room for flexibility in case they needed to tap some transportation funds to offset future budget deficits.