Mileage Tax: What’s the Truth?

July 19, 2016

Hartford – Senate Minority Leader Len Fasano (R-North Haven) released the following statement regarding comments made by Governor Dannel P. Malloy yesterday on the state pursuing a “Mileage Tax” pilot program.

“Gov. Malloy’s mixed messages on a proposed mileage tax show that either the public is being misled to think that Connecticut won’t explore this new tax, or the state is wasting money on a program that will never be implemented. Which is it? Is the governor defending the idea? Or is he denying that the state will partake in it? Yesterday he did both,” said Fasano.

Background

Gov. Malloy’s spokesperson said yesterday the governor stands by statements that he is not seeking a mileage tax. He has also previously said, “It’s amazing that Republicans say we are implementing a secret mileage tax, even though we never proposed such a tax.”

But while answering questions following a press conference yesterday, Gov. Malloy defended the Mileage Tax pilot program by emphasizing that gas tax revenue is on the decline as cars become more efficient, but the need for revenue remains. When answering a question about whether he thinks the Mileage Tax is a good idea, he responded in part: “Twenty years from now, in all probability, our gas and oil tax revenue will be half of what it is today. There’s your answer.” Gov. Malloy also stated: “Are we ostriches and we’re not going to understand what our options are? Or do we work with other states to understand what some of those options are, and maybe do them collectively and lower overall costs?…Let’s not be a society that promotes sticking your head in the ground and ignoring what’s going on around you. On the other hand, this is the beginning of the discussion it’s not anywhere near an end or a decision,” said Gov. Malloy.

Fasano questioned: “So is this the beginning of a discussion to implement a new tax? Or is the tax completely off the table as Democrats have previously told the public? Which statements are true?”