Editorial

Mileage tax hurts workers

West Haven residents should cast a wary eye toward Hartford in the next few weeks as a mileage tax is once again being looked at by the General Assembly as well as delivery taxes on Amazon. The reason: creation of new revenue streams to fund the state coffers, while there is talk of the state funding those workers who go out on strike.

The state Republican minority has highlighted these possible new invasions into residents’ pocketbooks, but the fact the warning is coming from the opposition party should not detract from the fact the Democratic majority is considering these proposals. The administration of Gov. Ned Lamont has stated it is looking to make Connecticut more business friendly. The three proposals noted above cannot be considered even remotely working toward that end.

As the GOP points out, Connecticut has the third-highest property tax burden in the nation, while electricity rates come in at the second highest. Adding new levies will make the state more burdensome for many current residents, who, like tens of thousands of others, have left the state in search of more livable climes.

These two new tax proposals are in the “talking” or “study” phase right now, but we have seen these “phases” before. One need only look at the way the income tax was imposed on the state, despite widespread opposition in 1992, as well as the recurring attempt to put tolls on state roads. One was successful. The second, though denied at least twice, keeps coming up in the effort to wear down the opposition.

The mileage tax proposal has come up at least twice since 2015, when Gov. Dannel Malloy authorized the state’s participation in a national study. Six years later, with the state amid the ill-conceived lockdown for Covid-19, another study was contemplated. Now, four years later, the Democratic majority is trying to push the idea to the fore once again.

West Haven is a blue-collar community. Its residents, many upper lower class or lower middle class, live month to month, or paycheck to paycheck. Adding levies that would further burden delivery drivers (with the mileage tax) or employers (like Amazon with its facility in the city) will have a ripple effect on workers and their families. But it goes beyond that. Taxing mileage is just another innovative (not a good thing in this regard) idea by the state assembly to wring more money from state taxpayers. Passing this type of tax will lead to more exodus out of the state, and further burdening those who cannot afford to leave.

Again, these are in the discussion stages, but residents should be vigilant as the General Assembly’s session continues. Progressive elements in the majority party have little regard for the impact their proposals have on the public if they have the money to fund their pet projects.

Connecticut needs to assess its needs and programs as we continue to lose taxpayers. In the last decade we lost a congressional seat due to the decline of our population, yet we continue to look at novelties to fund more programs. Paying strikers, while it might be a nice idea to some, is a burden on those footing the bill.

Keep your eyes on these proposals. Taxpayers have been fooled before because of legislative sleights of hand. These proposals will only add to making life in the Nutmeg State more onerous.