HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio) – Governor Ned Lamont has signed legislation that suspends Connecticut's excise gas tax from April 1 to June 30 to offer immediate relief for drivers in the state.
The emergency legislation, approved in the House and Senate with unanimous support, will offer 25 cents per gallon of relief at the pump.
The legislation also suspends fares on public buses statewide for that same time period. Additionally, a one-week sales tax holiday on clothing and footwear under $100 will run from April 10 to April 16.
"Connecticut is in a stronger fiscal position than ever before, and I am determined to use every tool available to provide relief for our residents... I think these actions are a good indicator that in the coming weeks we will be able to once again come to a bipartisan agreement to provide more tax relief to the people of Connecticut," Lamont said.
State Republicans called for suspending the gas tax two weeks ago. Now, House Republican Leader Vincent Candelora said he hopes this is just the first step in providing relief to struggling families in Connecticut.
"Our work is far from done. We must continue working together to make Connecticut more affordable across the board. From health care costs to taxes, Connecticut families need relief,” Senate Republican Leader Kevin Kelly said.
"We know that every kind of relief is significant in these inflationary times, and we will continue to work to protect consumers and advocate for policies that reduce the tax burden for middle and working-class families," Senate President Pro Tempore Martin Looney and Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff said in a written statement.
