Month: April 2021

Senator Haskell, Lt. Gov. Bysiewicz, State Officials Highlight Infrastructure Improvements Through Transportation and Climate Initiative Program

WESTPORT — This afternoon, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) joined Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Department of Transportation Deputy Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto, Department of Energy and Environmental Protection Commissioner Katie Dykes, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg (D-Westport), Department of Transportation Senior Advisor Carlo Leone, Westport First Selectman Jim Marpe and Westport Selectman Melissa Kane at the Ruth Steinkraus Cohen Bridge to discuss the investments and improvements to be made in Fairfield County’s transportation infrastructure through the Transportation and Climate Initiative Program, currently under consideration by the state legislature. Meeting at the bridge gave a direct example of the program’s benefits, as one of its many changes would be overhauls of state traffic control systems to improve efficiency and reduce wasteful pollution.

“We know that the Transportation Climate Initiative will reduce carbon emissions in Connecticut, ensuring that the next generation can enjoy clean air and clean water,” said Sen. Haskell. “But it’s also important to discuss the tangible benefits it will have here in our community. Today, we highlighted the Traffic Signal Modernization program that is critical to relieving congestion on the Post Road in Westport. We can use technology to relieve bumper to bumper traffic, bringing our intersections in the 21st century.”

“The Transportation and Climate Initiative Program is not only an investment in our environment but also our transportation system. By reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reinvesting those funds into clean transportation options and infrastructure enhancements, we can ensure that Connecticut remains competitive with its surrounding states. This program, if implemented, will have a direct positive impact on local municipalities, like Westport. Through this initiative, we can modernize our traffic signals, create new green collar jobs, and increase economic activity in our local communities. Passing this legislation is key to getting our state moving again,” said Lt. Governor Bysiewicz.

The Transportation and Climate Initiative Program, often referred to as the “TCI,” is projected to raise up to $89 million in 2023 through efforts to reduce greenhouse emissions from motor vehicles, responsible for 38 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the state. Those proceeds, expected to increase as high as $117 million by 2032, will be reinvested in clean transportation options and infrastructure. Positive changes expected include supporting and expanding public transit, converting buses and diesel trucks to electric power, expansion of bicycle lanes, sidewalk improvements and pedestrian safety improvements and, relevant to Wednesday’s location, traffic signal modernization and synchronization.

Beginning in 2022, the program will upgrade traffic signal infrastructure, also improving the efficiency of signal operations and traffic flow in areas of the state often experiencing congestion. Modern detection systems and cellular technology will be placed to allow for increased signal responsiveness. That will allow for more responsiveness to account for traffic conditions changing over the course of the day, as well as during incidents. These upgrades will improve mobility statewide, reduce rear-end crashes and cause a significant decline in emissions, congestion and delay.

That’s just one benefit TCI would bring to Connecticut. Additionally, the program is expected to be a net economic benefit, raising more than $1 billion from 2023 to 2032 to invest in job creation and increased economic activity and improving infrastructure to allow companies expanded hiring pools and increased job opportunities. TCI is expected to generate increases in state gross domestic product, disposable personal income and employment.

The program will cap carbon emissions from on-road fuel use and require wholesale fuel purchasers to purchase “allowances” at auction to cover those emissions’ use. Proceeds will be reinvested into transportation projects and programs reducing emissions and air pollution, with at least 35 percent directly benefitting communities overburdened by air pollution and underserved by the transportation system. The program is expected to guarantee a 26 percent reduction in CO2 emissions from 2022 to 2032.

Senator Haskell, Rep. Thomas Cheer Advance of Voting Access Expansion to Senate Floor

Today, State Senator Will Haskell (D-Westport) and State Representative Stephanie Thomas (D-Westport) cheered the Government Administration and Elections Committee’s approval of legislation increasing access to absentee voting and overhauling voting access and registration statewide. Sen. Haskell and Rep. Thomas, respectively Senate and House Vice Chairs of the Committee, joined in voting to send the legislation to the Senate for further consideration.

“We’ve known for years – well before the COVID-19 pandemic – that we need to modernize our voting systems,” said Sen. Haskell. “The pandemic only further highlighted the barriers that make our democracy inconvenient for some. Expanding opportunities for absentee ballots will help more people cast their votes without undue interruption to their work and family life, and helping young voters learn about the voting process will strengthen our democracy for the long-term. This legislation will increase Connecticut’s voter turnout and make the process of casting a ballot easier and safer. After all, the right to vote is too easily rendered meaningless without the opportunity to vote.”

“SB 5 is a giant step in the right direction to provide safe and secure voting options for the electorate,” Rep. Thomas said. “What I have heard loud and clear from voters in my district is that the right to vote is the cornerstone of our democracy and they are in favor of legislation that makes the voting process equitable and accessible.”

Senate Bill 5, “An Act Concerning Increased Opportunities For Absentee Voting, Safe and Secure In-Person Voting and Voter Registration,” has significant changes and overhauls for state voting practices currently followed. These include:

• Allowing online voting registration or information changes through the Department of Motor Vehicles
• The development of an online absentee ballot application through the Secretary of the State’s website
• Distribution of information regarding voting eligibility at public high schools each September, informing students of how to register to vote
• Naming Election Day as a legal holiday, with voters allowed two hours of paid time off on that day to cast a ballot
• Voters would be disallowed from bringing a firearm within 200 feet of a voting location