A common concern for opponents of Governor Raimondo’s truck toll plan is the fear that the tolls could be extended in the future from trucks to cars. Raimondo and legislative leaders say that’s unlikely to happen.
Raimondo’s office said the governor’s original toll plan included a ban on tolling cars. That plan was passed by the state Senate last June, but the measure died after not being taken up in the House.
A Senate spokesman also points to the prohibition on car tolls, in the original bill, in downplaying the possibility of cars being tolled. And House Speaker Nicholas Mattiello said acting now to improve the state’s crumbling bridges is the best way to avoid car tolls in the future.
The Stop Tolls RI Coalition is encouraging toll opponents to swamp lawmakers with phone calls this week expressing their views. The General Assembly is expected to move ahead with a version of Raimondo’s truck toll plan early in the legislative session.
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