Sen. Berthel, CT Senate & House Republicans Call for Suspending State Gas Tax

Demand CT Delegation Push for Federal Gas Tax Cut

Deputy Senate Republican Leader Eric Berthel (R-Watertown) joined Connecticut Senate and House Republicans in calling on state lawmakers to temporarily suspend the state gross receipts tax on gasoline and is demanding that Connecticut’s federal Congressional delegation deliver on a federal gas tax cut proposal to provide immediate relief to Connecticut residents as gas prices surge.

Senator Berthel and 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. Also, they are demanding that Connecticut’s federal delegation 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.

Senator Berthel and Republican leaders are calling on state lawmakers to adopt this proposal immediately 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. The state can afford the reduction with its windfall in increased sales tax and gas tax revenue the state is collecting as a result of inflation.

“At a time when Connecticut’s budget coffers are overflowing, families in our district and across the state are struggling to make ends meet. People are frustrated and scared they’ll have to choose between driving to work and driving their kids to a softball game. This is wrong. Connecticut families have been taxed and then taxed more for decades,” said Senator Berthel.

“Families bore the brunt of a pandemic that saw mass business closures and are now are being asked to pay double the cost for gas during our supposed ‘recovery.’ It’s time to provide relief at the pump today, not months down the road through savings gimmicks. The state can afford it, and this is something that’s owed to Connecticut families. I encourage all my colleagues to make the common-sense decision to adopt this proposal next week.”