{news} Transportation bill includes new commuter rail

[David Bedell]

Let's make sure they follow thru with the NH-Springfield line.

http://www.boston.com/news/local/connecticut/articles/2006/05/01/senate_expected_to_approve_23_billion_transportation_bill

The Associated Press
Senate approves $2.3 billion transportation bill

By Susan Haigh, Associated Press Writer  |  May 1, 2006

HARTFORD, Conn. --The state Senate voted unanimously late Monday to approve 
a 10-year, $2.3 billion transportation package, with senators lauding it as 
a major step toward tackling Connecticut's traffic gridlock.

The legislation, which would fund mass transit improvements across the state 
without requiring tolls or increasing the gas tax, is the second step in a 
major plan to improve the state's transportation system.

"It says to Mr. and Mrs. Connecticut we cannot all drive, one person, one 
car, every where, every day and expect to achieve a comprehensive plan for 
the future," said Sen. William Nickerson, R-Greenwich.

The Senate agreed to place the bill on its consent calendar, which was later 
approved on an unanimous vote.

Last year, lawmakers approved Republican Gov. M. Jodi Rell's 10-year, $1.3 
billion initiative, which included money for new rail cars for Metro-North, 
highway improvements and 25 new Connecticut Transit buses.

The latest phase focuses on mass transit, though it includes some money to 
study highway projects.

The bill, a compromise between majority Democrats and Rell, includes money 
for a commuter rail line from New Haven to Springfield, Mass., with stops in 
Hartford and other towns; a study of a commuter line from New London to 
Worcester, Mass.; and parking and station improvements for most state rail 
lines.

The bill would make the Transportation Strategy Board part of the state 
budget office, among other steps to improve coordination of transportation 
projects. It also would require the governor's office to start formal 
discussions with Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island on ways to enhance 
regional commuter and freight mobility.

A spokesman for Rell said the governor will sign the bill into law.

"Gov. Rell believes this landmark legislation will go a long way toward 
easing congestion on Connecticut highways and encourage greater use of 
trains and buses by Connecticut commuters," said Judd Everhart, Rell's 
communications director.

"It will also be an incentive to companies operating in Connecticut and 
those considering a move here, knowing that employees and potential 
employees will have an easier time of getting to work," he said.

Everhart said families and tourists will also benefit from the legislation.

Eric Brown, associate counsel for the Connecticut Business and Industry 
Association, said his group is pleased the legislature and governor 
continued to focus on transportation this session after last year's bill 
passed.

"It's a very big deal because, for the second year in a row, the legislature 
and the governor stepped up and made transportation a priority and passed a 
very significant package that will go a long way toward improving our 
transportation problems," he said.

The bill authorizes the state to issue up to $1 billion in special tax 
obligation bonds for the projects. The state can also borrow $1.3 billion 
against future federal funds, a provision that raised concerns among some 
legislators. An additional $80 million to $100 million a year will come from 
the gross receipts tax on petroleum products, which now goes into the 
general fund. The gross receipts tax will not increase.

"There's still a lot to be done," Brown said. "There's still a lot of 
questions that are going to have to be resolved about funding, but I think 
the bill signals there is indeed no turning back at this point. There is 
going to be a new vision for transportation development and economic 
development tied to that."

© Copyright 2005 The New York Times Company