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HARTFORD—State Representative Bill Pizzuto (R-71) has joined his colleagues in the House Republican caucus in using a parliamentary procedure to bring a bill to a public hearing that would eliminate the new highway use tax (HUT) on heavyweight trucks.
Republicans petitioned to raise H.B. 5290, An Act Eliminating the Highway Use Tax, after the Finance Committee’s Democratic leadership refused to hear it. Republicans on Tuesday secured the required 51 petition signatures to force a public hearing on the bill.
“This tax will directly impact household budgets, making it more difficult for the people across my district, and across our entire state, who are struggling to make ends meet. This fee will make goods and services more expensive, creating a negative trickledown effect on Connecticut families at a time when they are already overburdened,” said Pizzuto.
Passed by Democrats in 2021, the HUT is levied according to a truck’s weight, classification and number of miles traveled in Connecticut. Targeted truck owners are required to obtain a permit to remit payments to the state, and it’s expected to generate $90 million in annual revenue.
The Highway Use Tax became effective Jan. 1, and businesses subjected to the tax are expected to make their first payments to the state on Feb. 28.
