Joseph J. McGee, vice president of public policy and programs at the Business Council of Fairfield County, said last week that the state needs a governor willing to invest in the state’s economic growth, because without it, there’s no way the state can meet its budget gap without raising taxes and cutting state jobs.
“We’ve been a very slow-growing state,” McGee said. “The next governor is really going to set the tone with Connecticut going forward. Without jobs and vitality you can’t continue to tax, tax, tax. You need more revenue and jobs create revenue.”
Jim Cameron, chairman of the Connecticut Metro-North Rail Commuter Council, said last week that the next governor has to fight the railroad and MTA over service cuts and fee hikes.
“To her credit, Gov. Rell has said ‘no’ to fare rises,” Cameron said in opposition to state transit policy being dictated by the New York-based agencies. In the longer run, Cameron says he’s concerned that taxes on state petroleum products may drop off as more drivers choose electric cars.
Cameron noted that the state Transportation Strategy Board in recent years paid a million dollars for a study recommending so-called gateway tolls at state borders.
“Who’s going to have the guts to say that if you want to mitigate transit congestion, we put a price on using the highways, then give people alternatives by keeping train fares low?” Cameron said.
Foley said he’s heard many different theories on the causes and possible solutions for the traffic that paralyzes the region in the morning and afternoon commutes.