The bill would send at least $5.38 billion to Connecticut over the next five years, allowing the Lamont administration to move forward on promised transportation spending stymied by the General Assembly. On the infrastructure issue, his failure to win passage of highway tolls has been offset by the passage of a mileage fee on heavy trucks, an increase in fuel-tax revenue due to higher prices, and the promise of unprecedented federal largesse. Several trade-union leaders complimented Lamont for his handling of the pandemic, thanking him for stressing safe health practices, such as masking and social distancing, over shutting down construction projects. The reciprocity bill passed, but only after the trades were exempted. Lamont promised he would consult with Brothers, the new council president, when the issue inevitably arises again.
Once a liability, infrastructure is becoming an asset for Lamont