Sen. Kelly Votes to Suspend State Gas Tax, Calls for Further Tax Relief

March 23, 2022

Bill suspends CT’s excise tax on gas from April 1 to June 30, creates a one-week sales tax holiday on clothing, and suspends bus fares

 

HARTFORD – Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly (R-Stratford) voted in support of emergency bipartisan legislation (House Bill 5501) suspending Connecticut’s excise tax on gasoline from April 1, 2022 to June 30, 2022. In addition, the legislation creates a one-week sales tax holiday on clothing and footwear under $100 from April 10, 2022, to April 16, 2022, and it suspends fares on all CTtransit buses statewide from April 1, 2022, to June 30, 2022.

On March 10, CT Republicans called for suspending the state gas tax and also called for federal action to suspend the federal gas tax.

The state’s excise tax on gasoline is 25 cents per gallon. The legislation includes language asserting that failure by retailers to reduce the per-gallon price of gasoline by this amount during the suspension period will be considered an “unfair or deceptive trade practice.”

“Two weeks ago, CT Republicans called for suspending the gas tax. Today, lawmakers came together in a bipartisan vote to deliver tax relief to all Connecticut families. This is an important first step in providing needed relief to working- and middle-class families to combat the crushing impact of inflation. But our work is far from done,” said Senator Kevin Kelly.

“Connecticut remains unaffordable for far too many families. Connecticut residents have the second-highest taxes in the country and our economy is not performing for low- and middle-income residents. Historic inflation, a problem which began many months ago, is only making it more difficult for families in Connecticut already faced with high costs of living to manage their kitchen table economics.

“We must continue working together to make Connecticut more affordable across the board. From health care costs to taxes, Connecticut families need relief,” said Senator Kelly.

The legislation was approved in the House and the Senate with unanimous support.

Sen. Kelly is also advocating for cutting the state sales tax, making health care more affordable, and implementing policies to create opportunities and a pipeline to jobs. Learn more at BetterWayCT.com.