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Fairfield County Lawmakers Want To Stop 16% Gas Tax Increase

FAIRFIELD COUNTY, Conn. - State lawmakers from Fairfield County are leading a drive to fight a 16 percent increase in the state gas tax set to take effect July 1.  

Fairfield County gas prices have risen and fallen significantly over the winter and spring months. These prices are from February.

Fairfield County gas prices have risen and fallen significantly over the winter and spring months. These prices are from February.

Photo Credit: Al Branch, File Photo

“Connecticut needs to stop kicking the can down the road," said state Rep. John Frey, R-Ridgefield. "This budget is nothing more than a bait-and-switch intended to mask our fiscal problems with more borrowing.”

The increase is expected to add 3 to 4 cents to the price of a gallon of gas. 

Frey is joined in the fighting the by fellow Republican state Reps. Tony Hwang of Fairfield, Laura Hoydick of Stratford, Larry Miller of Shelton and Dave Rutigliano of Trumbull.

“Our gas prices are already too high,” said Frey. “This added financial burden affects every single one of my constituents. This increase disproportionally affects us in Ridgefield and adds to our growing tax burden. Our state cannot continue to tax, spend and borrow our way to better times, and I will do everything we can to fight this tax hike.”

The increase is a part of the state's gross receipts tax, a tax on gasoline that you pay above and beyond the state tax of 25 cents and the federal tax of 18.4 cents per gallon, a statement from the Connecticut House Republicans said. It is a tax on the percentage of the wholesale price of gasoline. 

If the legislature fails to take action, this wholesale tax would increase from 7 percent to 8.1 percent per gallon.

The combined average of local, state and federal gas taxes is 49 cents per gallon. In Connecticut, the amount is 63.4 cents per gallon. 

To sign the petition to fight the gas tax hike click here.

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