Capitol Update: Special Session Possible for TCI Gas Tax

Governor Lamont and several state lawmakers are seeking to build support for the Transportation and Climate Initiative (TCI) ahead of a possible vote as early as September.

Asked if he thought the $90 million climate plan faces a shot at passage when lawmakers reconvene to distribute federal recovery aid during a planned special session that month, the governor said, “I’d like to think they can count the votes and get it done.”

The plan, which is estimated to cost the average Connecticut family $258 per year in added fuel costs, faced fierce resistance from Republican lawmakers fighting any tax hikes and residents feeling the pinch as summer gas prices surge nationwide.

While the governor and his Democratic leadership in the General Assembly continue to avoid accountability on exploding juvenile crime in across the state, they’re actively courting votes to push through another tax on hard-hit families and businesses.

This bill is all but guaranteed to receive no Republican support in either chamber – meaning passage of TCI falls squarely on whether my moderate colleagues on the other side of the aisle think our state’s families can afford gas prices to go up.

My position on this issue has not changed: gas taxes, tolls or any other fees that disproportionately burden middle-class families are an irresponsible way to raise funding for climate programs — especially at a time when the state is already earmarked for $1.3 billion to improve public transit and $53 million for vehicle charging stations under Congress’ forthcoming infrastructure deal.