• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

West Haven Voice

West Haven’s only independent news source - By and For West Haven

  • Home
  • About Us
  • Archive
  • Advertise With Us!
  • Classified
  • Announcements
  • Contact Us
  • Web Exclusive
    • Kids Activity Pages

Editorial

April 16, 2025 By whvoice

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.

Filed Under: 041725, Editorials, Opinion

Primary Sidebar

Seach our site

Follow us on Facebook

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons

The week in photos ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

The week in photos – May 8, 2025

westhavenvoice.com

The week in photos – May 8, 2025 May 8, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Washington School set to open With the opening set for May 22, Gilbane Construction crews are placing fixtures and other equip...
40 minutes ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

New Briefs - tax relief program, dog license info, Westies Care, and more.. ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

News Briefs

westhavenvoice.com

News Briefs May 8, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Tax relief applications accepted The assessor’s office is accepting applications by appointment for tax relief programs for elderly and disabled ho...
2 hours ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Boardwalk facility named for Joe Carr ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Boardwalk facility named for Joe Carr

westhavenvoice.com

Boardwalk facility named for Joe Carr May 8, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Family members of the late Department of Public Works laborer and driver Joe Carr pause beneath the sign that the city dedi...
3 hours ago
View Comments
  • likes Like love 1
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Grant aids VA neighborhood upgrades ... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Grant aids VA neighborhood upgrades

westhavenvoice.com

Grant aids VA neighborhood upgrades May 7, 2025 By whvoice Leave a Comment Mayor Dorinda Borer speaks during a news conference with Gov. Ned Lamont, second from right, at City Hall on Monday announcin...
5 hours ago
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

 

 

West Haven’s Calendar

Comments Box SVG iconsUsed for the like, share, comment, and reaction icons
West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Thursday Night Live (This one's on Friday!!!)

... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Thursday Night Live (This one's on Friday!!!)

tockify.com

Fri 23 Jun, 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM [EDT]: Event by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT Old Grove Park Public · Anyone on or off Facebook West Haven summer concerts are back! Join us in West Haven thi...
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Mark Your West Haven Calendar

tockify.com/west.haven.calendar/detail/442/1686776400000

Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum

tockify.com

Wed 14 Jun, 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM [EDT]: Business After Hours West Haven Veterans Museum West Haven Veterans Museum & Learning Center Event by Milford Regional Chamber of Commerce, CT West Haven Veterans ...
View Comments
  • likes Like 0
  • Comments: 0
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

0 CommentsComment on Facebook

West Haven Calendar
2 years ago
West Haven Calendar

Added for June 10th & 11th

tockify.com/west.haven.calendar/detail/443/1686405600000

West Haven Historical Society Open House
... See MoreSee Less

Link thumbnail

West Haven Historical Society Open House

tockify.com

Sat 10 Jun, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM [EDT]:
View Comments
  • likes Like 2
  • Comments: 1
  • Shares: 0
Share
Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Linked In Share by Email

1 CommentsComment on Facebook

Load more

Footer

Address

West Haven Voice
840 Boston Post Road
West Haven, CT

 

Contact us

Call (203) 934-6397

Contact form

SITE NAVIGATION

HOME
ABOUT US
ARCHIVE
ADVERTISE!
CLASSIFIED
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CONTACT US
WEB EXCLUSIVE

FIND US IN PRINT

Our print edition is available each Thursday. Here is a list of locations!

Letters Policy

Information on submitting letters to us.

Our submission deadlines.

Copyright © 2025 West Haven Voice, LLC