HARTFORD, Conn. — Republican state lawmakers, along with trucking and food-distribution executives, on April 28 declared war on Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposed regional climate initiative and user tax for heavy trucks on state highways.

In his recent budget address, Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont proposed a mileage-based fee on tractor-trailers estimated to raise $90 million annually.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation released its $9.7 billion capital plan, which includes investments across various modes of transportation over the next five years.

Gov. Ned Lamont has called for a pause on the vote for trucks-only tolls in Connecticut after repeated delays from lawmakers to convene for a vote.

With Connecticut state legislators deeply distrustful of each other, lawmakers are considering a new plan for Gov. Ned Lamont’s proposal to toll trucks only at 12 bridges — offering two separate bills with six tolls each and forcing the House of Representatives and Senate to vote twice.

The Connecticut Office of Policy and Management released an analysis revealing that funding has been diverted from the General Fund to support the Special Transportation Fund in nearly every state budget since 2003.

A trucks-only tolling system in Connecticut is part of the latest iteration of Gov. Ned Lamont’s transportation investment plan.

While local and state officials stress the need for transportation infrastructure improvements, they also have concerns and questions about the governor’s plan for tolls.

Gov. Ned Lamont will call Nov. 7 for more than $4 billion in improvements for the Metro-North Railroad to cut travel times and alleviate traffic congestion in lower Fairfield County.

Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont has suggested a tolling program that would affect both cars and tractor-trailers, shifting away from an earlier pledge to only toll trucks.