Gov. Dannel P. Malloy and Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) Commissioner James P. Redeker today released what was described as a “stunning set of findings” of a study on the impact of widening and improving both the western and eastern portions of Interstate 95 in Connecticut, and outlined the consequences of failing to act.

The new report says widening of I-95 will significantly reduce travel time. (CLICK TO ENLARGE) CDOT photo

Currently, peak morning and evening congestion on the highway accounts for 54 million hours of delay and costs $1.2 billion in lost time annually, Malloy’s office said in a statement.

The study finds that limited, strategic widening will yield major benefits and can be constructed within existing CTDOT property.  The governor’s revenue proposal – which includes a seven-cent increase in the gas tax over four years and the implementation of electronic tolling – would allow for these investments to go forward, the statement said.

“Anyone who has traveled on I-95 during rush hour understands the urgency of addressing our congestion problems,” Malloy said. 

By Keith M. Phaneuf

After failing for years to properly invest in highways, rail and bridges, the legislature should relinquish oversight to a transportation authority immune from the pressure of election-year politics, House Speaker Joe Aresimowicz said today.

Speaking at the Connecticut Council of Small Towns’ annual legislative forum, the Berlin Democrat also renewed his proposal to eliminate local taxes on motor vehicles.

But given that Aresimowicz also said pressures on state finances probably would continue to squeeze municipal aid, eliminating vehicle taxes probably would lead cities and towns to recoup the lost revenue through higher property taxes on households and businesses.

Both of the speaker’s proposals sparked criticisms from Republican lawmakers at the forum, decreasing the likelihood either would win passage during the 2018 General Assembly session.
egislatures and governors fearful of repercussions among voters.

By Ana Radelat

Washington – A massive budget agreement that aims to prevent a federal government shutdown at midnight contains a provision that would save Westport’s Newman’s Own from a thorny tax problem that threatens Paul Newman’s iconic food company.

“This is not a tax break for Newman’s Own. It is simply legislative permission for us to continue to exist, compete, innovate, create jobs, and pay our business taxes like any other company, while at the same time donating 100 percent of our profits to charity,” said Bob Forrester, president and CEO of the Newman’s Own Foundation.

All profits from the sale of Newman’s Own food products are given away though the Westport-based Newman’s Own Foundation, which has to date donated $512 million to charities helping veterans, children with cancer, low-income students and dozens of other causes.

But foundations are barred by a 1969 tax law from owning more than a small stake in private businesses to prevent wealthy people from using foundations as tax shelters.