Democrats have controlled the state House of Representatives and Senate since 1997 and, by the time this column goes to press Wednesday night, Gov. Ned Lamont and Hartford's Democratic-elected majority will have been officially in office as a tandem for 337 days. Considering they own both chambers, what specifically has this administration accomplished in slightly less than one full calendar year?

You get the sense that the governor is the captain of a small dingy frantically rowing the boat with one oar endlessly trapped in a circle of infinity. As Lamont searches for a lifeline, you can conspicuously hear his staff and crew bark the suggestion, “Faster Ned, row faster!" The buck certainly stops with Lamont, but it appears the advice he has been getting is anything but helpful.

The Democrats can crow about a couple of contentious pseudo-victories in 2019. For example, there was great celebration on the progressive left when the minimum-wage plan was implemented – notwithstanding the fact that many small business folks will be forced to reorganize or downsize.

The illusion of success via higher hourly wages will certainly put a temporary smile on workers faces but might result in fewer jobs and certainly less small business opportunities. The wage increase to $15 is schedule to be phased in gradually to give businesses time to adjust, but after 2023 the minimum wage would be tied to inflation meaning, within 10 years, that hourly minimum incomes could more than double, making it nearly impossible for entrepreneurs to begin new ventures.

Paid family leave is another so-called win for the Democrats, although opponents strongly believe it will be grossly underfunded. It may be bankrupt and in need of additional revenue injections by 2022. The Senate minority leader, Republican Len Fasano recently said on my morning radio show, “Mark the tape and remember what I said: Paid family leave is going to go broke."

This entitlement will require a higher payroll tax or your employer will be required to pony up. Either way, that “victory” may yet be another ticking time bomb slowly counting back to zero.

The plastic bag debacle is a short-sighted, embarrassing example of government ignoring unintended consequences and being outsmarted again by capitalism. What was supposed to be a $27 million windfall for Connecticut will wind up yielding less than $7 million with taxpayers left – pardon the pun – holding the bag. Many grocery stores simply stopped offering plastic and instead now charge customers for paper.

There is zero movement towards sports betting and no workable resolution to help alleviate the backbreaking unfunded employee state pension liabilities. There are more taxes on more products, and currently the bonding package is being held hostage, "Quid Pro Quo," by our governor so cities and towns may need to search for salt and sand or be forced to whip out their own credit cards to pay for it.

And then there are the tolls. Wait, I’m sorry. They’re "gantries" and they’re not a “tax”; they’re “user fees."

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The governor’s office unleashed no less than five divergent tolling ideas until finally coming full circle arriving at 12 tolling gantries on trucks only. My brain hurts just thinking about this dysfunction.

This latest idea about tolls is potentially flawed. Our neighboring state, Rhode Island, has been in a back-and-forth legal battle concerning its trucks-only tolling. It seems a little bit confusing as to why our leadership wants to champion an idea being dragged through the courts in another state. An idea that could be ruled unconstitutional or otherwise legally flawed. Why hasn’t State Attorney General William Tong been asked about legality of trucks-only tolls? Isn't that his job?

A final question to pose towards my Democratic friends in Hartford: If the state’s political machine honestly thinks any rendition of Governor Lamont’s toll plans put the state in a better economic position, they should sacrifice themselves for the good of the cause, run the risk of losing their seats in the 2020 November election, and vote in favor of tolls. If you are a good Democratic soldier, fall on the sword for leadership.

Just remember that catchy phrase, “Vote for tolls, lose at the polls."

What will it be?

Lee Elci is the morning host for 94.9 News Now radio, a station that provides "Stimulating Talk" with a conservative bent.