State truckers joined Republican lawmakers on Wednesday to criticize the highway use tax that took effect in January, predicting higher consumer prices and financial burdens on their businesses. They stressed that the highway tax’s estimated $90 million a year was supposed to target out-of-state 18-wheelers, it seems the bulk of the charges will fall on state companies. In fact, of the $4.3 million collected by the state since January 1, $3.3 million came from out of staters, according to the state Department of Revenue Services. Candelora described Lamont’s position as “really dug in” in defense of the highway fee. “If we’re going into a budget cycle with surpluses and a transportation fund that currently has a surplus, we’re very well poised to put a pause on this program,” Candelora said. Gov. Ned Lamont stands by the new tax and the Democratic co-chairmen of the tax-writing Finance Committee supported the program that was adopted by the General Assembly in 2021, as a means to help support state transportation projects and was sold to state lawmakers as focused on out-of-state haulers to contribute to improving state highways.
https://www.stamfordadvocate.com/politics/article/gop-lawmakers-ct-truckers-slam-new-highway-use-17827093.php