August 3, 2021

Public Safety Takes Back Seat to Gas Tax Proposals…

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In mid-July I had joined my colleagues in urging the majority party to call us into special session so that the legislature could put forth a comprehensive framework providing clarity and solutions in addressing the rising level of juvenile crime. These crimes continue to have a detrimental impact on our community here and in towns across the state. The petition attempt, however, has fallen on deaf ears. Meetings were held, but at the end of the day it’s clear to me that there is no intention to convene for a vote on this pressing matter.

What’s more important? After the majority party and governor’s team approved broad-based tax increases through the “Highway User Fee,” or what is commonly known as the big truck tax, and other regressive tax policies like the implementation of a convenience fee on debit and credit card charges, they continue to have an appetite to tax you more. Keep in mind these are the same trucks that kept their routes going during the pandemic to re-stock bare shelves and replenish retailers with household and medical necessities. Those necessities, like PPE, cleaning supplies, toiletries and food, are now going to be more expensive for all Connecticut residents.

Implementing new forms of taxation and fees to increase revenue for the state coffers was short-sighted in this trying time. We are reminded daily that the pandemic remains our country’s number one public health issue. With that, many residents and most Connecticut businesses have lost significant financial resources over the last 16 months.

Legislative Democrats and the governor’s team are interested in getting a bigger slice of the pie instead of providing financial stability to Connecticut’s citizenry. As a member of the legislature’s Environment Committee, I fought against the implementation of an additional gas tax. This tax is part of a larger agreement called the “Transportation & Climate Initiative” that increases the overall cost of gas to force commuters to buy brand-new electric vehicles or ride the state’s dated public transit system.

The environmental benefits that are purported by the TCI agreement are miniscule in comparison to the natural drop in emissions, caused by existing and prospective regulations, and will have an extremely negative impact on the state’s middle- and lower-income populations. Not all Connecticut residents have the financial flexibility to buy a new car on a whim. It’s even more disingenuous to mandate those who are living paycheck to paycheck to subsidize the purchase of someone else’s electric vehicle.

It has been reported that proponents of the new gas tax proposal are urging majority party legislators to call for a special session in September. You should be alarmed at the prioritization of public policy. There is an existing public safety threat, which shows no signs of improving, with no urgency to address it on behalf of the majority party. We will not save lives by taxing you more for gas. To ignore existing realities to perform a heavy-handed money grab is not what the legislature should be spending its time on.

I will continue to press my colleagues in finding solutions to the juvenile crime threat. I am advocating for a comprehensive approach, funding youth programming and services, providing resources for diversionary programs in the event of a first-time arrest, and how to help law enforcement and the judicial branch keep repeat offenders out of our neighborhoods.

If you have any questions about the potential gas tax, or our proposals to help keep Connecticut’s municipalities safe, you can contact me at Pat.Callahan@housegop.ct.gov or visit my website at RepCallahan.com.