Sen. Miner, Rep. Harding Vote in Support of Bill to Suspend Connecticut Gas Tax

March 24, 2022

Bill Suspends Gasoline Excise Tax April 1 to June 30; Includes a One-Week Sales Tax Holiday on Clothes in April and Suspends Bus Fares on CTtransit

 

State Sen. Craig Miner (R-Litchfield) and State Rep. Stephen Harding (R-Brookfield) voted in support of emergency 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.

 

Two weeks ago, the lawmakers joined Connecticut Republicans and 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.”

 

“This is welcome, albeit overdue, relief for families of the 30th District and in Connecticut. The state’s budget reserves are overflowing and, at the same time, people are struggling to put gas in their car and food on the table. This is not the way government should operate and this is a step in the right direction. We must continue to look at ways to reduce the overbearing cost of living in the state,” said Senator Miner.

 

“I was proud to join Senator Miner and my colleagues in both chambers to support this important step in addressing affordability in our state. Providing some level of relief at the gas pump is necessary at this time, and suspending the state’s gas tax is a good first step. I look forward to continuing to work to reduce the large tax burden here in Connecticut,” Representative Harding said.

 

The legislation earned unanimous approval of the House and Senate.

 

Senator Miner 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.