April 16, 2025

Rep. Scott OP-ED: Let them Eat Cake – Progressives Pitch Menu of New Taxes

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Connecticut is unaffordable and that’s a direct result of the decisions made by majority Democrats. There are a lot of proposals this session that would add even more taxes and fees to the bottom line of families and businesses in the state, but some Democrats are calling for even more government control and programs.

During a recent news conference, Representative Anne Hughes recently said that she would tell the governor, “tax my people, they won’t even notice.”

I can guarantee the hard-working people of Easton would notice.

These out of touch remarks came on Tax Day when a group calling themselves the Tax Equity Caucus held a press conference about ‘adjusting the fiscal guardrails’ and a capital gains surcharge. The guardrails, fiscal policies implemented in 2017 when there was a more equal balance of elected officials and renewed just last year, have allowed our state to pay down massive pension debt and save for a rainy day.

The pile on taxes and fees proposed this session might seem like pennies, but that all adds up. Just this week the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee heard public testimony on a Democrat proposal to tax “sweetened beverages” at a clip of 2-cents-per-ounce. That’s an extra 24 cents on a 12 ounce can or bottle of soda, juice, and other drinks. With the summer months right around the corner, it’s hard to support policies that will make your iced tea more expensive, or lemonade pricier!

Let’s not forget: after the public rejected tolls, Democrats imposed a hidden highway use tax on the very trucks that deliver your groceries. Now they’re back again with a so-called “retail delivery fee” that would slap a new charge on every package you get! Yes, pizza deliveries included. And, in classic Connecticut fashion, that 28-cent fee will only climb over time.

Last year? They tried taxing streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, and even sports networks like NESN and YES. That bill died—but not from lack of their efforts in extracting your money!

Wallethub recently ranked Connecticut as the #10 highest tax burden in the nation. We’re also #49 in property tax affordability. Between the 1% tax on prepared foods, the gas tax, and the mandatory paid family leave (PFML) payroll tax, it’s no wonder working families feel squeezed.

So what can we do?

Let’s start with some common sense:

Remove Public Benefits Charges from your utility bills—put those programs in the budget where they belong.
Cut the PFML tax from 0.5% to 0.4%.
Exempt kids’ clothing under $100 from sales tax.
Extend the gas tax holiday to diesel.
Eliminate the costly Highway Use Tax.

These are real, practical steps to make Connecticut affordable again. Because enough is enough.

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