NVCOG warns lawmakers: ‘Basics Act’ elements and state bills could shift resources from local branch lines
March 21, 2026 | Town of Naugatuck, New Haven County, Connecticut
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Regional staff updated NVCOG members on a slate of federal and state transportation proposals and explained how certain choices could affect local branch-line service.
Rich (transportation staff) summarized the Basics Act, a federal reauthorization proposal that would move many competitive discretionary programs into formula funding, increase federal planning (PL) dollars (and remove the local non-federal share for those PL dollars), and funnel more federal aid directly to towns and cities. Staff said the change could allow more pre-engineering work with federal dollars and improve the share of aid that flows to local governments, noting the proposal has broad endorsements from local officials’ groups but is unlikely to pass in its current form before November.
On state legislation, staff highlighted concerns that funding or equipment directed to expand Shore Line East service could divert diesel locomotives or delay promised increases for the Waterbury and Danbury branches. The DOT commissioner’s budget-related proposal to swap diesel equipment onto the Shore Line East to avoid catenary fees paid to Amtrak was singled out as a possible operational trade-off.
Staff also briefed the board on SB9, which would extend the microtransit pilot program for one additional year; NVCOG staff said the Valley Transit District’s VTDtoGo microtransit service (operating since April 2024) has exceeded expectations, attracted a broader ridership including high-school students, and that staff favor continued or permanent funding. Staff asked members to communicate project impacts to legislators to ensure regional needs are understood.
Other flagged bills included HB 5464 (authorizing highway speed cameras) where staff raised concerns about how penalty revenue would be allocated and SB449, which would prevent communities with unexpended grant balances from applying for new funds until those balances are exhausted — a change staff said could hamper towns with active pipeline projects.
Staff said they are educating legislators and monitoring the bills to advise member municipalities on likely trade-offs and implementation issues.
Rich (transportation staff) summarized the Basics Act, a federal reauthorization proposal that would move many competitive discretionary programs into formula funding, increase federal planning (PL) dollars (and remove the local non-federal share for those PL dollars), and funnel more federal aid directly to towns and cities. Staff said the change could allow more pre-engineering work with federal dollars and improve the share of aid that flows to local governments, noting the proposal has broad endorsements from local officials’ groups but is unlikely to pass in its current form before November.
On state legislation, staff highlighted concerns that funding or equipment directed to expand Shore Line East service could divert diesel locomotives or delay promised increases for the Waterbury and Danbury branches. The DOT commissioner’s budget-related proposal to swap diesel equipment onto the Shore Line East to avoid catenary fees paid to Amtrak was singled out as a possible operational trade-off.
Staff also briefed the board on SB9, which would extend the microtransit pilot program for one additional year; NVCOG staff said the Valley Transit District’s VTDtoGo microtransit service (operating since April 2024) has exceeded expectations, attracted a broader ridership including high-school students, and that staff favor continued or permanent funding. Staff asked members to communicate project impacts to legislators to ensure regional needs are understood.
Other flagged bills included HB 5464 (authorizing highway speed cameras) where staff raised concerns about how penalty revenue would be allocated and SB449, which would prevent communities with unexpended grant balances from applying for new funds until those balances are exhausted — a change staff said could hamper towns with active pipeline projects.
Staff said they are educating legislators and monitoring the bills to advise member municipalities on likely trade-offs and implementation issues.
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