Trumbull Legislators Oppose ‘Idea’ of Grocery Tax
HARTFORD- State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123), Laura Devlin (R-134) and Ben McGorty (R-122) today came out against the legislative concept of applying a state sales tax to groceries and non-prescription medicine.
The concept is under consideration by Gov. Ned Lamont, according to published news media reports.
“This ‘grocery tax concept’ is just one of hundreds of terrible pieces of legislation this session which will look to take money out of our family checkbooks. Unfortunately, the majority party has decided to use their election victories to punish middle class working families,” said Rep. Rutigliano.
Rep. Devlin said, “What I have heard repeatedly from those in my district is that the cost of living in Connecticut is becoming unbearable. In the last legislative session, with balance in the legislature, we were able to stop seventeen tax increases. That firewall is gone and already we’re seeing a quick rush to dig further into the pockets of our already overstretched residents. It’s time to make Connecticut more affordable, not reach for more of other people’s money.”
“Every year we only see the Democrats wanting to increase taxes. This year we are already starting to hear talks about the need to tax groceries, medication and to create a statewide car tax. These proposals will hurt working families here in Connecticut and continues to send the wrong message to people and businesses thinking about moving here. Let’s change the discussion and start talking about ways we can reduce spending and borrowing,” said Rep. McGorty.
Groceries and non-prescription medicine are not subject to the 6.35% sales tax currently. The proposal would add both non-prescription medicine and groceries to the taxable items with the ‘promise’ to lower the overall sales tax.
Lamont’s review of sales tax exemptions comes as majority party Democrats are floating additional ways to collect more revenue for the state, including a statewide property tax and bringing tolls back to the state.