Champagne: State Can Trim 44 Cents Off Gas Prices — For Now

VERNON, CT — State Sen. and Vernon Mayor Daniel Champagne Monday said there is a quick way to shave 40 cents off the price of a gallon of gas.

Champagne (R-Vernon) joined Connecticut Senate and House Republicans to begin the week in calling for the temporary suspension of the state gross receipts tax on gasoline. He is also demanding that Connecticut's federal Congressional delegation deliver on a federal gas tax cut proposal to provide "immediate relief" to Connecticut residents as gas prices surge.

Champagne said he and Connecticut Republican lawmakers are proposing to suspend the state's gross receipts tax on gasoline, which has risen to 26.4 cents per gallon in recent weeks. Also, they are demanding that Connecticut's federal delegation follow through on calls to halt the federal 18.4 cents per gallon gas tax.

Together, these proposals will immediately save Connecticut residents 44.8 cents on every gallon of gasoline he said.

Champagne said state lawmakers should adopt the proposal "immediately" during the legislative session scheduled for Wednesday. He said Republican lawmakers will also seek to adopt language to require that suppliers and retailers pass on the reduction in taxes to consumers.

The state tax proposal is "budget neutral," Champagne said. He added, "The state can afford the reduction with its windfall in increased sales tax and gas tax revenue the state is collecting as a result of inflation."

Connecticut families are frustrated over gas prices and they're "struggling," Champagne said.

He added, "Hardworking people in this state cannot wait months or a year for indirect forms of relief or relief gimmicks like rebates. They need help immediately. At the same time when Connecticut has record budget surpluses from inflation and federal relief funds, people are struggling to get themselves to work, get their kids to school and put food on the table. This is wrong and we have the ability, today, to provide needed relief. This should not be a partisan issue and I encourage my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to do what is right for Connecticut families: adopt this proposal in Wednesday's legislative session."

Champagne represents Connecticut's 35th Senatorial District that includes the towns of Ashford, Chaplin, Coventry, Eastford, Ellington, Hampton, Pomfret, Stafford, Tolland, Union, Vernon, Willington and Woodstock.