House Committee Keeps Toll Control with Council

(CONCORD) The House Public Works and Highways Committee has unanimously rejected a proposal to give the Legislature control over New Hampshire tolls. HB 137 would have set state toll rates in law, rather than by the Executive Council.

The five-member council last year raised toll rates around the state in order to make up for a projected shortfall in turnpike revenues. The Legislature currently retains the right to set discounts under the electronic "E-Z Pass" system, and to decide where and when toll booths will be installed.

Committee Chair Candace Bouchard (D-Concord) and Vice-Chair David Campbell (D-Nashua) urged their collegues to keep the current system, arguing that last year's toll increase showed that the Council had the political courage to raise toll rates.

Representative John Graham (R-Bedford) argued that such decisions should all be made by the same body, preferably the Legislature, but went along with the Committee's 17-0 decision. The full House will likely take up the bill on February 4th.