Tax Hike Will Pump Up The Price Of Gas

On June 24, Sen. Art Linares met with motorists during rush hour at the Westbrook Mobil Station on Essex Road to raise awareness about a 4-cent per gallon tax hike scheduled to take effect on July 1. A tax on diesel is also expected to take effect later next month.   

Sen. Linares is one of many Republicans who have been gathering signatures from taxpayers on a new petition in an attempt to block the gas tax hike. 

“The response from taxpayers has been overwhelmingly positive,” Sen. Linares said. “I thank all the motorists who took the time to sign my petition in Westbrook. People are fed up with tax hikes, and we will deliver this petition to the governor. Please continue to spread the word about the petition to help us stop the gas tax hike.”

Connecticut has among the highest gas taxes in the nation. According to AAA, on Monday the average price for a gallon of gas in Connecticut was $3.79 compared to $3.56 nationally. Legislators opposed to the tax hike say it will have a negative affect on business in the state and hit consumers in the pocketbook. 

More than 12,500 signatures have been collected, and the petition may be signed online atwww.AxeTheGasTaxCT.com.

Sen. Linares (www.senatorlinares.com) represents Chester, Clinton, Colchester, Deep River, East Haddam, East Hampton, Essex, Haddam, Lyme, Old Saybrook, Portland, and Westbrook. He can be reached at Art.Linares@cga.ct.gov or at 800-842 1421.