Sen. Art Linares Backs Bill to Cancel July Gas Tax Hike

March 18, 2013

Sen. Art Linares today submitted testimony in favor of a bill which would cancel a gas tax hike slated to take effect in July.

Sen. Linares submitted testimony in favor of Senate Bill 1095: An Act Eliminating the Increase in the Petroleum Products Gross Earnings Tax.

The petroleum products gross receipts tax is slated to rise by one-sixth in about three and a half months, imposing an effective rate of 8.81 percent on wholesale purchases.

“If the tax hike is allowed to go into effect, we would see prices at the pump rise by several cents per gallon,” Sen. Linares said in his Monday testimony to the legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee. “The people and businesses of Connecticut need a break. Our gas taxes already rank among the highest in the nation. The cost of gas has a major impact on Connecticut residents and businesses. We all want to pass policies which are geared toward improving our business climate. In passing this bill, we can provide relief to hard-pressed consumers and ease some future pain at the pumps. It is a step in the right direction and I urge this committee to support it.”

Sen. Linares said he would continue to monitor the bill as it makes its way through the legislative process.