Berthel endorses temporary suspension of gas taxes

By Scott Benjamin

At nearly $5 a gallon, gas prices in Connecticut have escalated to where they were a generation ago in Japan.

And unlike Tokyo, there have been no sightings in the Nutmeg State of gas station attendants wearing white gloves and directing traffic so the customers can re-enter the highway.

Gov Ned Lamont (D-Greenwich) has proposed a gas tax holiday – temporarily suspending the 25-cent a gallon tax on gasoline and 49-cents a gallon levy on diesel fuel.

The state did it from April through December, 2022 when inflation was soaring.

Lamont has estimated it would reduce revenues by $30 million to $40 million per month.

The proposal has stalled in the General Assembly, as some legislators prefer broader tax relief.

State Sen. Eric Berthel (R-32) of Watertown says, “There is enough money in the rainy-day fund to do it.”

That fund is currently at $4.3 billion.

He is running for a sixth term in the large district, which stretches from Watertown to Bethel and Brookfield.

The night before he won the seat in a February 2017 special election, commentator Rachel Maddow did a brief segment about the campaign on her MSNBC show. She referred to a News-Times of Danbury preview story that reported the district hadn’t elected a Democrat since 1891.

In the 32^nd District Republican victories are more predictable than sunshine in Tampa.

Lamont will face state Rep. Josh Elliott (D-88) of Hamden in the August 11 Democratic primary.

Sacred Heart University Government professor Gary Rose, who has written books on Connecticut politics, said that Lamont, who is seeking a third term, has taken away some Republican issues. Rose notes that he has lowered income tax rates and paid down about $11 billion in pension debt that had accumulated over generations.

Rose has said those issues have long been Republican calling cards.

Berthel says those accomplishments are due to the bipartisan budget agreement of 2017 that installed fiscal guard rails, including a volatility cap on capital gains revenue.

He asserted that Lamont presented himself at the start of his tenure in January 2019 as being “very moderate” and “promised to bring refreshing change” from the policies of Gov. Dannel Malloy (D-Essex) of the previous eight years.

Berthel insists that Lamont has violated the guard rails and has been unwilling to take a hard line with the public employee unions over salary increases that exceed the compensation increases in the private sector.

He said he has a good “professional rapport” with Malloy, but acknowledged that Lamont is “more approachable and more likable.”

Washington Post columnist George Will has said that Ronald Reagan was difficult to lambaste, but his success was 85 percent due to his policies and 15 percent to his charm.

Berthel said, likewise, although Lamont has a friendly demeanor, his policies will be the chief consideration for voters in the primary and election.

He said that the Republicans in Connecticut are experiencing their “Camelot moment,” with gubernatorial nominee Ryan Fazio, a state senator from Greenwich, who is young, handsome and most notably wants to trim spending and slash taxes.

Berthel said he endorses Fazio’s plan to enact full deductions on invent by corporations on plant property and equipment, which would increase commerce and add jobs in Connecticut.

Regarding affordability, why not eliminate Connecticut liquor pricing law in which there is a price than no vendor can go below?

Berthel said that he and his wife owned a liquor store in Watertown 20 years ago and like other small operations, they would not have been able to compete with the larger stores without minimum pricing. He said abolishing that law would likely put some “mom & pop” stores out of business.

Also, supermarkets are not allowed to sell beer, but not wine. That apparently reduce competition.

Berthel said that liquor stores also are restricted from selling foods, such as snack foods, which are on the shelves at the supermarkets.

He noted that there was no push during the recent session of the General Assembly to reform either of laws regarding liquor pricing and availability.

On another topic, Berthel, a former member of the Watertown Board of Education, said he opposes a state ban on smart phones in public schools.

The measure was approved during the recent session in the House but did not come to a vote in the Senate.

He said the decisions should be made through local school officials instead of enacting “a one size fits all” solution.

Berthel said he recently collected more than the $20,100 needed to qualify for a Citizens’ Election Program (CEP) grant in just eight weeks.

He said he annexed more than $22,000 from almost 400 unique contributors.

Former Gov. M. Jodi Rell (R-Brookfield) signed the legislation in 2005. It was the first publicly financed state election fund that was enacted by elected officials and not, as had been the case in Maine and Arizona, accomplished through a citizens referendum petition drive.

This is the 10^th election cycle that the program has been in operation.

Berthel said in a phone interview with Patch.com that it has been a success. Noting that by securing the grant early his campaign team can now budget for the next five and half months.

He added, “While the "300" in-district contribution number has not changed, the $20,100 threshold is up from $17,300 in 2024 and coincides with an increase in the grant amount. I think this increase is important as it keeps the CEP grant process competitive and truly requires a candidate to demonstrate local, personal support of their candidacy if they intend to receive a CEP grant.”

How has the program changed the interaction between legislators and lobbyists?

Berthel said lobbyists still can contribute up to $100 to a candidate.

“I do reach out to lobbyists,” he commented. ”If they do contribute, they do. If they don’t, then so be it.”

Former state Sen. Jamie McLaughlin, a former Woodbury resident, who held the seat from 1985 to 1991, has said that legislators can gain valuable insight form lobbyists.

Berthel remarked, “I interact with lobbyists on a regular basis regardless of what my position is on whatever bill is being considered. If I’m going to be informed, I need to be able to hear the voices of the paid guys that represent the company or interest, and the paid guy who represents the interests that are opposed to the bill.”

What is the distribution of Red Sox, Met and Yankees fans in the 32^nd District.

Said Berthel, “That is a trick question.”

“You know, they say east of the Connecticut River it is more Red Sox and west of the river it is more Yankees,” he commented. “I’m a Mets and Giants fan, so they usually are not playing late in the season.”

Berthel remarked, “If I had to guess: It is 50 percent Yankees, 40 percent Red Sox and 10 percent Mets.”