Maroney, Rose Address Upcoming Additional Tax On Groceries

MILFORD, CT — State Senator James Maroney (D-Milford) and state Representative Kim Rose (D-Milford) expressed their displeasure with the Department of Revenue Services’ (DRS) Policy Statement issued on September, 6, 2019. Sen. Maroney joined the state Senate Democratic Caucus Monday, signing a letter to DRS Commissioner Scott D. Jackson requesting the DRS revise their interpretation. The letter is attached.

The department’s interpretation of the budget broadens the base on meals and beverages covered by the sales tax, which is not the legislative intent of the budget and goes against the interpretation of all three nonpartisan offices. This interpretation would lead to a different fiscal note from the Office of Fiscal Analysis. DRS did not provide any feedback when the budget was heard in committee, nor did they when the language was included in the tax package that was voted out of the Finance Committee. Sen. Maroney and Rep. Rose expressed their disapproval of the department’s interpretation of the budget and the reaction from Republicans, who never proposed a budget this year.

“I am deeply disappointed in the Department of Revenue Services interpretation of the budget and decision to expand the restaurant tax to prepared foods sold in grocery stores,” said Sen. Maroney. “This was not the intent of this budget. When I voted for this budget, I did so encouraged by the fact it will close a $3.7 billion deficit, expand our rainy day fund to $2.7 billion, eliminate the business entity tax, stop taxes on social security income and set aside funding for a program to help veteran’s find advanced manufacturing jobs. I am hopeful DRS will revise their policy statement so it fulfills its’ original intent.”

“These DRS guidelines are not only confusing, but are also way out of step with what we wrote in the year’s budget,” said Rep. Rose. “The budget takes solid steps toward ensuring fiscal stability in our state, but not by balancing books off the backs of working families. I hope that Commissioner Jackson and his team over at DRS will reconsider these guidelines. Shame on my colleagues across the aisle for continuing to resort to bad faith press conferences rather than an honest conversation. Let’s fix this together.”

About James Maroney: Sen. Maroney was first elected to represent the 14th District (Milford) in 2018. Before being elected to the Senate, he was a State Representative for the 119th District from 2012-2014, where he served on the Higher Education Committee. Due to his distinguished service on the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee, he was asked to serve on the Planning Commission for Higher Education and help develop a strategic plan for higher education in Connecticut.