Scott, Colleagues Petition Bill to Provide Residents and Business with Financial Relief, Force Hearing on Proposal to Eliminate Highway Use Tax

HARTFORD—State Reps. David Rutigliano (R-123), Ben McGorty (R-122) and Tony Scott (R-112) and their House Republican colleagues were compelled to use a parliamentary procedure to circumvent Democrat opposition to a bill that would save inflation-weary businesses and residents money by eliminating the new highway use tax (HUT) on heavyweight trucks.

The Trumbull lawmakers joined their Republican colleagues in petitioning to raise H.B. 5290, An Act Eliminating the Highway Use Tax, after the Finance Committee’s Democratic leadership refused to even hear it. Republicans on Tuesday secured the required 51 petition signatures to force a public hearing on the bill.

“The voices of Trumbull families should not be silenced on this is critical and costly issue to my constituents,” said Rep. Rutigliano, a co-introducer of the proposal. “Families know, this truck tax will be passed on to every good purchased and increase the cost of many household products.”

“Residents and businesses are feeling the financial heat from a new truck tax, levied on one of our most vital industries. When community voices spoke against the Highway Use Tax, House Republicans took action and proposed to repeal it,” Rep. McGorty said. “The success of our petition shows that we will not let up in our fight to make Connecticut more affordable.”

“Businesses in the state are already running on thin margins caused by increases in gas prices and inflation. With federal money flowing into Connecticut, there’s no need for yet another tax on the people who are the backbone of our supply chain,” said Rep. Tony Scott.

Passed by the Legislative 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 HUT became effective Jan. 1, and businesses subjected to the tax are expected to make their first payments to the state on Feb. 28.