Kennedy and Ferraro Join Call for Suspending State Gas Tax

Demand CT Delegation Push for Federal Gas Tax Cut 

HARTFORD – State Reps. Kathy Kennedy (R-119) and Charles Ferraro (R-117) along with their Senate and House Republicans are calling on state lawmakers to temporarily suspend the state gross receipts tax on gasoline and are 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.

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. They are also 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.

The Republican lawmakers are calling on the state legislature 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.

“People are seriously hurting financially as they fill their tank every week. We are proposing immediate relief at the pump and calling on our federal representatives to do the same,” said Rep. Kennedy.

Ferraro said, “Inflationary pressure in addition to the political situation surrounding the war in the Ukraine have necessitated that some relief be provided to the residents of CT who are experiencing the highest cost per gallon of gas at the pumps in our history.  A 44-cent savings, roughly 12 percent would provide much needed relief to many residents who are finding it difficult to make ends meet.”