HARTFORD, Conn. (WTIC Radio)—Connecticut Senate and House Republican leaders are organizing rallies and petitions in opposition to gas and food taxes that are being considered by democrats as part of the Transportation and Climate Initiative, or TCI.
"Governor Lamont and his majority are advocating for $200 million of taxes levied against gasoline and trucks that the middle class families of Connecticut are going to have to pay at a time when the middle class family is struggling," State Senate Minority Leader Kevin Kelly said while at Minuteman Park in Hartford Wednesday.
According to Kelly, the $200 million tax hike on gas and mileage are excessive and regressive taxes that make Connecticut less affordable.
TCI aims to reduce carbon emissions from the transportation sector and to tackle air pollution, but republican leaders believe the promise of cleaner air won't be delivered.
With weather patterns running from west to east, Kelly said undesired weather patterns will still come toward Connecticut from states to the west that do not sign on to the initiative, such as New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Pennsylvania.
State House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora said the idea of small states, like Connecticut or Massachusetts that are considering the initiative, having a significant impact on emissions doesn't make much sense.
"What this really is all about is another attempt for the democrats to pickpocket the state of Connecticut," Candelora said.
There are more effective ways in reducing carbon emissions than a tax hike that will hurt middle class wallets, Kelly said.
"What we would rather see happen is that we utilize our funding to reduce congestion on areas like I-95, to reduce greenhouse emissions through that, to also look at things like open space initiatives and greenways," Kelly suggested, "and to incentivize energy efficiency through rebates, credits and changes to building codes."
The first of a series of "Stop the Gas/Food Tax" Rallies is being held Thursday from 5 to 6 p.m. at Wheels on 440 Lordship Blvd in Stratford.
A petition has also been posted for residents to sign in support of stopping the gas and food tax.
Governor Ned Lamont announced his proposed legislation to implement the TCI program during his FY 2022-23 Budget Address.
