Gov. Ned Lamont: Compromise on tolls, stalemate on casinos

ned lamont tolls budget
Gov. Ned Lamont speaking before the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce. Photo by Phil Hall

Gov. Ned Lamont predicted a legislative compromise on the question of bringing electronic tolling to Connecticut”™s highways, but he acknowledged no compromise was in sight on expanding the state”™s gaming industry to nontribal entities.

Speaking this morning before the Fairfield Chamber of Commerce, Lamont observed that “investment in transportation is the elephant in the room. I admit that”™s incredibly controversial.” He also said that some members of the Democratic majority in the legislature have privately asked him to back down on his efforts to re-establish tolls in Connecticut.

“The folks in the caucus say, “I know it”™s the right thing to do, but do I have to do it now? Can”™t I study it a little bit more? Can you get me one more election under my belt?”™” he said, noting his response to their requests was “No, we”™re here to do a job.”

Lamont criticized the Republican plan dubbed Prioritize Progress, which he categorized as an effort to “borrow $700 million a year on the backs of Connecticut taxpayers with interest.” Yet in noting his lack of enthusiasm for that plan, he pointed out that “a lot of people aren”™t very sympathetic to my point of view, either.” Ultimately, he said, the different sides of the issue will reach a compromise agreement.

“We”™ll make a deal where no one will be happy, but will move the ball forward and we’ll  show that we”™re going to get this state moving again,” he said.

On another hot button issue, the governor looked at the impasse between MGM Resorts International and the Mohegan and Mashantucket Pequot tribes regarding the state”™s gaming industry, glumly stating that “I haven”™t been able to solve that nut yet.” Lamont insisted that a failure to reach an equitable solution would negatively impact Connecticut.

“Resorts and gaming and internet gambling and sports betting are out there,” he said. “It”™s going to be a piece of our country”™s future and I don”™t want to see Connecticut left behind. I”™m still trying to sort out an agreement between MGM, which wants to come in and put in $750 million into Bridgeport and not asking for a dime from the state, and the tribes who say, ”˜You can”™t do that ”“ we have the exclusive compact.”™ I thought we moved that negotiation to the five yard line, with that final five yards to come.”