Connecticut Real Estate Blog - Real Real Estate in CT

While this isn’t directly real estate related, the issue of tolls in our state does impact our economy, cost of living and quality of life.  And ultimately, those things do impact real estate and our ability to attract people to our state and keep them here.

What boggles my mind is that Connecticut is already one of the most expensive places to live in the country - taxes, cost of housing and cost of energy are all big factors.  And a panel is suggesting that to make the state more attractive to businesses and residents, we need to improve infrastructure and therefore we need to reinstate tolls.  Fuzzy logic. 

I agree that we need to improve the infrastructure and I could even agree to some tolls - like on our state lines.  I have no problem taxing visitors.  But to put in tolls all along I-95, I-84, the Merritt Parkway and I-91 would be another ridiculous tax on our residents.  And with few decent alternatives to commuting by car (unless you’re by the shoreline), people will just have to pay. 

The idea for the tolls would be to fund major transportation projects.  My prediction, as demonstrated by the state’s spending of the tobacco settlement money on just about everything but tobacco related health or prevention, is that the state will not spend the money as is promised.  We will not get the improvements and we will be poorer. 

And what about making some budget cuts to fund improvements???  We don’t hear about that anymore. Why is the only answer to raise taxes?  If I need to make a major repair to my car, I have to save my money and not purchase those really cute shoes at Nordstrom.   It hurts but I have to do it.  The state shouldn’t be any different.

Hey, we elected them and it’s still a democracy.  If the idea of tolls makes you foam at the mouth, then you can voice your opinion at a special legislative session on highway tolls at 9 a.m. Jan. 31 in Room 1E of the Legislative Office Building.  Or, contact your representative and let them know what you think.

For more opinion on this, visit the Norwich Bulletin or Connecticut Local Politics.