House Speaker Jim Amann announced last week that the idea of considering placing tolls on our state highways is off the table, and suggested that House Republican Leader Larry Cafero and other GOP leaders were “proposing” tolls.  This is, of course, nonsense.What is interesting is that last summer Speaker Jim Amann was perfectly happy to consider tolls on the highways, as well as higher gas taxes which are hurting Connecticut residents and businesses. House Speaker James Amann , D-Milford, said Monday he’s willing to consider tolls and increased gas taxes to beef up safety inspections and repairs to the state’s transportation network.“I’ll support any idea that supports this program,” he said. “Whatever it takes to make our bridges and roads safe.” -Waterbury Republican-American, August 7, 2007But now Amann is against tolls. Amann also continues to deflect blame from the Democratic majority for the role they play in Connecticut’s high gas prices.  According to Amann’s July 17th, 2008 press release:We all know that this is a global problem compounded by a failed national energy policy, and the state is acting to help motorists where we can,” Amann said.If high gas prices are a global problem that is made worse by a “failed energy policy” nationally, then why is Connecticut paying prices higher than anywhere else in the continental United States?  With a current average price of $4.32 per gallon, this state is paying more than the rest of the nation due simply to state taxes.  Legislative Democrats continue to refuse to offer any relief from them to Connecticut motorists.The familiar refrain from Democrats is that the gross receipts tax, which Republicans want to cap, goes into the transportation fund to build and maintain roads and bridges.  Unfortunately, this is simply not true.  Roughly 60% of the gross receipts tax goes into the general fund instead.Today legislative Republicans called on Democrats to joi...