Lamont, lawmakers look ahead to special sessions for tolls, gambling

The latest state legislative session only wrapped hours ago, but lawmakers are already talking about heading back to Hartford.

News 12 Staff

Jun 6, 2019, 9:55 PM

Updated 1,784 days ago

Share:

The latest state legislative session only wrapped hours ago, but lawmakers are already talking about heading back to Hartford.
Lawmakers did not take a vote on this year's most controversial issues -- tolls. On Thursday, Gov. Ned Lamont says he wants to take action on the situation soon.
Lamont took a short victory lap Thursday morning as the legislative session wrapped, but quickly reminded lawmakers of the next task at hand.
"I hope it didn't take too much of a 'toll' on you -- which reminds me, we do have a little bit of unfinished business," says Lamont.
Lamont says he will call a special session on highway tolls, but did not reveal exactly when that would happen.
Expanded gambling may also come up in a special session. Jobs are why Bridgeport Mayor Joe Ganim is pushing for a plan to let Foxwoods and Mohegan Sun build on his city's waterfront. In exchange, they'd get exclusive rights to sports betting.
"I'm hopeful this is something people say, 'Hey, this is something we could do and we should do,' and let's get it going," says Ganim.
Lamont says he's open to the Bridgeport deal, but isn't in favor of what's on the table right now.
"My sense is ... the tribes' deal still seems a little half-baked to me, so I don't know if it's going to be ready to go in a special session," says Lamont.
Looking back at the legislative session, a lot was accomplished. On the list is raising the minimum wage, creating a family medical leave program, raising the smoking age and making community college debt-free. Among the items that did not pass was a government-backed health insurance option, tighter rules for faith-based pregnancy centers, free phone calls for inmates and a smoking ban at state park beaches.


More from News 12
2:29
Traffic delays and road closures expected as Irvington set to host President Joe Biden today

Traffic delays and road closures expected as Irvington set to host President Joe Biden today

1:47
Sunny and pleasant today, freeze warnings overnight

Sunny and pleasant today, freeze warnings overnight

1:07
Schools in Westchester County announce early dismissals ahead of President Biden's visit

Schools in Westchester County announce early dismissals ahead of President Biden's visit

1:53
Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Shop Mother’s Day Gifts – Exclusive Offers Up to 75% OFF!

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

Ready to explore the great outdoors? These 14 tips can help you stay safe while hiking

0:22
Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

Police: 29-year-old man dies after burning incident at Warwick Park

1:49
Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

Human remains unearthed during drainage work in Putnam County

2:30
Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

Biden campaign reports blockbuster fundraising hauls ahead of visit

0:23
Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

Westchester DA: Ex-Mamaroneck library employee stole over $40,000 from library

0:42
Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

Yonkers Spano releases proposed budget for 2025

1:54
State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

State budget excludes aid for Orange County storm victims, lawmakers criticize Gov. Hochul

1:52
Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

Final negotiations on Carmel schools' budget linger late into the night

0:40
Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

Hochul: $33 million allocated to mental health in the state budget to expand services for felons

0:31
Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

Yonkers official calls for protection of city’s war memorial from graffiti, vandalism

2:07
​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

​Officials hope to implement noise cameras to combat loud noise from street racing in Greenburgh

0:36
Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

Police: Father pleads guilty to string of burglaries from 2022

0:28
President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

President Biden's visit prompts early dismissals in Westchester schools

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

Vote 2024: Ask your questions for Congressional District 16 Democratic candidates

0:31
Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

Mount St. Mary College welcomes new president

0:57
Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights

Airlines will now be required to give automatic cash refunds for canceled and delayed flights