By Guy Page
A recent WCAX report suggests state officials may turn to tolls to recoup some of its projected $33 million transportation revenue shortfall, caused by declining tax receipts from the gas tax.
Vermonters are driving more fuel efficient cars. More of us are working from home or just plain driving less. That’s a good thing for air quality and other ways but it’s bad news for the bean counters in the Legislature who depend on these receipts to pay for the state’s share of the transportation fund.
Legislators aren’t hopeful about additional help from Washington in the post-Leahy pork era, not to mention an administration that uses the power of the purse to punish states not in compliance with its executive orders and policy shifts.
This year the legislators closed a $61 million T-fund budget gap, in part by cutting jobs, as reported by Compass Vermont in September. But the problem remains: too much budget, too little gas tax revenue. So…. tolls?
Sen. Pat Brennan (R-Grand Isle/Colchester) sits on the Senate Transportation Committee. He’s also a past chair of House Transportation. He’s been warning about declining revenue for years. VDC reached out to him Wednesday night to give us the scoop on whether the Legislature is considering going to tolls. He answered:
“If we are, I am not aware. We studied it years ago and there are a lot of factors to consider. It wasn’t feasible then and I can’t believe it’s feasible now. When you set up a toll system you then forfeit your ability to draw federal funds for all interstate maintenance and bridgework. And traffic counts of our small state do not support it.”
Brennan’s word isn’t the last word, of course. VDC will follow this policy issue if it arises in the 2026 Legislature.