Hearings, hearings, hearings. As is the case
every year, marathon joint budget hearings on the various issues
areas in the Governor's 2016-17 spending plan have consumed
legislators during the end of January and beginning of February.
While these hearings can be long and mundane, certain topics are
often more contentious than others depending on the budget
year.
This year's hearings saw lawmakers expressing frustration
with Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Matt Driscoll
about the $20 billion proposed for DOT to spend on fixing roads and
bridges throughout the state. Lawmakers were seeking a list of
specific projects that DOT plans to undertake as part of its
proposed 5-year capital plan. Driscoll told the legislative panel
that while some $3 billion for state-owned highways and bridges and
increases in mass transit funding will be included, the specifics
of the plan should not be expected until March.
