November 28th Special House Session Update

Greetings!

Governor Lamont called the legislature into a Special Session on Monday, November 28. The purpose of the session was limited to: consideration of the suspension of bus fares and the motor vehicle fuels tax, Connecticut Premium Pay program, providing relief for increased energy costs, and for adjustments to the bottle bill. All of these items were lumped into House Bill 6001, meaning that legislators voted yes or no on the whole package, since no amendments passed. The final bill passed the House 134-7 and the Senate 33-0. I voted “YES.”

What H.B. No. 6001 does:

1. It extends and phases out the 25 cent per gallon gasoline tax holiday which expired November 30. Starting January 1, 2023 the tax will increase by 5 cents per month until May 1.
2. It allocates about $11 million to extend free bus fares through March 31, 2023.
3. It provides up to $30 million to fund the Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to make up for federal funding shortfalls. However, what is not getting much attention is the fact this funding is being significantly reduced. Qualified Connecticut families in need of the most assistance will see their funding reduced to $1,890, which is almost a $3,000 cut from where it was last year. Those that qualify for the minimum amount of assistance are seeing a $350 decrease down to $250 this year. With the prices of goods and services on the rise, this will not welcome news to those who need the most help in our state.
4. It provides about $77 million additional funds for the Hero’s Pay program. This program is for private sector employees in jobs listed as essential by the CDC who worked during the first two months of the pandemic shutdown.
5. It temporarily exempts from labeling requirements bottles and cans of non-carbonated beverages that will be subject to a 5 cent deposit on January 1. This was so that retailers could sell existing stock. The container deposit goes up to 10 cents on January 1, 2024.
6. It strengthens distribution of Operation Fuel funds making more funds available for energy assistance to those who do not qualify for LIHEAP.

I supported these Republican motions and amendments which failed mostly along party lines: 

– A motion to divide so that each item could be debated and voted on separately

– Amendment A  to extend the full 25 cent gasoline tax holiday until June 30, 2023

–Amendment B to add an exemption for diesel motor fuel through June 30, 2023

–Amendment C to provide additional funds and expand eligibility for energy assistance programs

-A motion to call for a special session to consider repeal of the highway use tax on trucks which goes into effect on January 1, 2023

Conclusion: The people of Connecticut are facing severe affordability challenges driven by higher energy costs, excessive taxation, and inflation. These increased costs were caused by government policy at the national and state level which is why I believe that government relief is appropriate. We could have done better to ease these challenges as we go into the cold winter months. The new session convenes January 4, 2023 which presents a new opportunity to do better for the people of Connecticut.