Gas Tax, Home Heating Assistance, More On Special Session Agenda

CONNECTICUT — Gov. Ned Lamont scheduled a special legislative session for Nov. 28 in order to potentially extend the state gas tax pause, increase home energy assistance and make changes to the state’s hero pay program.

Connecticut paused its 25-cent excise gas tax in April, but is set to expire Nov. 30. Lamont is asking the legislature to continue the pause through the end of the year, and then gradually phase it back in. Lamont proposed 5-cent increments for five months beginning on Jan. 1. Georgia and New York are the only other states that still have a gas tax pause. Both are set to expire in December.

He also wants the state to continue free bus service through March 30, which would comply with 12-month federal public transit pilot program rules.

The governor also wants to use federal American Rescue Plan Act funds to supplement the state’s energy assistance program, which provides subsidies for home heating needs.

Connecticut’s hero pay program was due to pay up to $1,000 in bonuses for qualifying essential workers who were at their stations during the worst of the pandemic, but the program had strong demand. Bonuses would max out around $232 without additional funding, according to Comptroller-elect Sean Scanlon. It would take about $122 million to fully fund it.

Lamont is asking the state legislature to increase funding for the program from $30 million to $90 million.

Lamont also wants to delay the start of Connecticut’s expanding bottle deposit bill. Juices, teas and sport drinks will be subject to the 5-cent bottle deposit beginning Jan. 1 unless a change is made. The move would allow retailers to sell off existing inventory without being in violation of the law.