The legislature's Transportation Committee heard testimony Monday on Governor Dannel Malloy's proposed transportation lockbox. Lawmakers expressed concern about possible ways around the proposed amendment to the state constitution.
Currently, certain revenue streams are earmarked for the state's special transportation fund. But money from that fund is often diverted to the state's general fund, especially when the state budget is in deficit.
Department of Transportation Commissioner James Redeker told the Transportation Committee that practice has taken a toll on the state's transportation infrastructure.
"Some of the oldest rail and highway bridges in the country, that are well beyond the period at which they should have been replaced or completely rehabilitated, does raise concerns," Redeker said. "It's way, way too many years of insufficient and unpredictable funding that has lead us here."
As part of his 30-year transportation plan, Malloy has proposed an amendment to the state constitution that would ensure that any money designated for the special transportation fund would be protected in the so-called lockbox.
While everyone on the Transportation Committee went on record supporting the amendment, most expressed concern that lawmakers could find a loophole around the lockbox.
But the governor's general counsel Karen Buffkin said the language in the amendment is airtight.
"The constitutional amendment that is proposed here requires that if there is a source of funds that is dedicated to the special transportation fund, that it shall be continued to be deposited in the special transportation fund, so long as the legislature has authorized that source of funds be collected and received by the state," said Buffkin.
The proposed amendment would need the support of three-quarters of the House and Senate before it would it would appear on the state ballot on November 8.
