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Community News for Lyme and Old Lyme, CT

State Rep. Carney Joins CT Senate, House Republicans Call to Suspend State Gas Tax

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State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd) File photo.

LYME/OLD LYME/HARTFORD – COMMENTING ON THIS ARTICLE IS NOW CLOSED  On Thursday, March 10, State Rep. Devin Carney (R-23rd), whose district includes both Lyme and Old Lyme, stood with Connecticut Senate and House Republicans to call on state lawmakers to temporarily suspend the state gross receipts tax on gasoline.

The group urged Connecticut’s federal Congressional delegation to deliver on a federal gas tax cut proposal to provide immediate relief to Connecticut residents as gas prices surge.

Connecticut Republican lawmakers are proposing to suspend the state’s gross receipts tax on gasoline, which has risen to 26.4 cents per gallon in recent weeks.

They also want Connecticut’s federal delegation to follow through on calls to halt the federal 18.4 cents per gallon gas tax.

Together, these proposals will immediately save Connecticut residents 44.8 cents on every gallon of gasoline.

Republican leaders are calling on state lawmakers to adopt this proposal during the legislative session scheduled for Wednesday, March 16, 2022. The lawmakers will also seek to adopt language to require that suppliers and retailers pass on the reduction in taxes to consumers.

The state tax proposal is budget neutral.

“I hear from neighbors every day who are struggling with the impacts of inflation, especially since gas prices continue to climb and are now over four dollars a gallon. This is relief we can provide struggling residents right now,” said Rep. Carney, who is a House Ranking Member of the Transportation Committee.

Carney continued, “The gross receipts tax often leads to Connecticut residents paying more at the pump than our neighboring states. Across the country, six Democrat governors have called to suspend the federal gas tax, and locally so has Senator Blumenthal, I hope our friends across aisle will join us and move forward with immediate action.”

Editor’s Note: This article is based on a press release issued by State Rep. Carney’s office.

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. My suggestions would be:
    1) Ask US Corporations that sell oil and gas to stop selling US oil and gas offshore.
    2) Ask those corporations to use the 5.9 trillion they receive in subsidies from the US government each year to lower the prices at the pump.
    3) Lead by encouraging Connecticut residents to conserve oil and gas by carpooling (for example Moms and Dads carpool to pick-up their children at sports practices…rather than10 parents driving 10 cars)
    4) Encourage drivers in our area to go electric. (I drive a Hyundai Kona EV and you will find a great deal of information at E-Cool {Electric Car owners of Old Lyme} on Facebook – everyone is welcome.

  2. I would highly agree with Charlotte Scot,and a a few more thoughts.Americans do not have a G-d given right to have inexpensive gasoline.Our prosperous lifestyle has made many think that it is normal,but for much of the world it is not.So yes,this is the opportunity to buy an all electric or hybrid car.Most of the cars manufactured here and abroad by the year 2030 will be electric.So why not do it now?Electric cars are fast,quiet,and very fun to drive.Charging them up is easy.Corporate America,in particular the oil companies,are making obscene profits off of the current situation while redirecting some in the media to blame other factors.There is a large European war going on as well as several wars on the African continent.People are suffering and have been suffering.I know many Americans suffer from of hyper-individualism and think of themselves first,but the price of fuel is hardly the main thing in life to be angry about.

  3. Suggesting that someone go buy an electric vehicle because gas is expensive is like telling someone to buy a house because their rent is expensive.

    • In many cities in the US it is now actually cheaper to buy a house than to pay rent.

      “In most areas of the U.S., buying a home is actually cheaper. According to a National Association of REALTORS® report, after 6 years, a homeowner’s mortgage payment is lower than that of a renter. This is assuming the rent has a 5% increase each year and the homeowner is paying a fixed monthly payment.Feb 28, 2022”

      I have been driving electric cars since 2016. Electric cars are much cheaper to drive than ICE vehicles. To start with: no oil changes…most maintenance I’ve experienced involves putting air in my tires. The average driver goes no more than 40 miles a day. My car has a 300-mile range so, driving far less than average, I only need to charge once or twice a month (it’s free at the DEP).

  4. Wow, $5.9 trillion in annual US Government subsidies to oil companies! We should all be as angry as Mr Wilder. That’s a large and entirely inaccurate number. Maybe we can be angry that our confused President supports funding dangerous regimes throughout the world by purchasing their oil rather than using our natural resources in an environmentally responsible way.