Letter To The Editor: Re-Elect State Rep. Laura Devlin

To the editor,

I’m writing wholeheartedly and enthusiastically in support of state Rep. Laura Devlin, a respectful, intelligent, tireless and hard-working leader in Hartford. She was instrumental in educating CT residents all over the state about the complex facts regarding the tolls issue and the Special Transportation Fund. I attended her very first informational forum, after I had done my own research first on this issue. She was factual and made everyone feel comfortable, no matter what side of the issue they were on, and didn’t end the meeting until everyone’s questions were answered. She tirelessly held at least 20 meetings around the entire state in the evening after already putting in a full day of work.

We get federal funding for not having tolls as part of a special agreement from the Stratford toll accident many years ago.

We pay one of the highest gas taxes in the country, which is supposed to go towards the transportation fund. $1 billion of this has been diverted for other spending during the last 20 years.

Numerous expenses were tossed into the transportation fund, including pensions. They should no longer be included in this fund and it should be used entirely for our infrastructure needs.

It’s a very complex issue and nobody should be adding yet another tax onto CT residents, especially a tax for driving to work as many cannot afford it. CT is the second-highest taxed state in the country, yet we rank 48th in fiscal solvency. That screams mismanagement of our tax dollars.

Recently, that four-letter word, toll, has emerged again. Many current legislators and candidates are pro tolls for cars and trucks, including Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Jennifer Leeper, Michelle McCabe and Carla Volpe. Please remember Connecticut this election!

Cathy Politi

Fairfield