CT Republicans Call For Highway Truck Tax Repeal

CONNECTICUT — State House Republicans called for eliminating the highway use fee on heavy trucks that was passed last year.

"Simply put, the truck mileage tax will make everyday goods and services more expensive for Connecticut residents, especially at a time of supply chain disruptions, spiking fuel costs, and inflation," Rep. Tami Zawistowski (R-61), member of the legislature's bipartisan Rural Caucus said in a statement.

Fees are calculated based on truck weight and the number of miles driven through the state. It goes into effect next year. The fee is expected to raise $90 million in the first full fiscal year.

House Speaker Matt Ritter (D-Hartford) said he had no interest in repealing the fee.

Rep. Sean Scanlon (D-Branford) said the fee was designed to collect revenue from the trucks that cause the most damage to Connecticut roads. He said it costs about $125 for a heavy truck to cross the George Washington Bridge in New York, but most truckers would only pay 25 cents to travel through Connecticut.

“Somebody is arguing that because of this, they’re going to have to jack up the price when that truck is paying disproportionate tolls in every state across the eastern seaboard to get here,” Scanlon said. “I just don’t believe that’s a really logical argument.”

The Connecticut Farm Bureau advocacy group called for exempting trucks that transport agricultural products, according to CT News Junkie. It would cost the state about $25 million.

Last year, Republicans offered two amendments that would have exempted agriculture-related trucking and wholesale food delivery, but they were shot down.

“The absurdity of the policy-making strategy from majority Democrats was on full display today as they stood alongside the Connecticut Farm Bureau to talk about the need to provide that sector with relief from a tax their party voted for a year ago despite repeated warnings that it would hurt agricultural-related businesses,” House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said in a statement.