Suzio Wants Cap on Gas Tax

State Sen. Len Suzio, who represents the communities of Cheshire, Meriden, Middlefield and Middletown, announced this week that he plans to introduce legislation next year to cap the gas tax in Connecticut.

Suzio, a Republican, says consumers are now paying about 70 cents in taxes on a gallon of gasoline to the federal and state governments.

Not only does the state impose a 25 cent tax on each gallon, Suzio said in a statement, "it also adds insult to injury by piggy backing a gross receipts tax." The gross receipts tax puts a 7 percent tax on the wholesale price of gas, which can fluxate daily depending on the price, according to the state senator.

“Connecticut taxes us twice on each gallon of gas,” Suzio said. “Ironically, while Connecticut citizens suffer under increasingly expensive gas, Connecticut’s tax collector is collecting more tax per gallon than ever before."

Drivers in Connecticut are paying, on average, $4.05 per gallon according to AAA. The nationwide average is well below that, at $3.69 per gallon.

"I will propose that we cap the state gross receipts tax on gas when prices exceed $3 per gallon. This can save Connecticut consumers millions of dollars each year," Suzio said.

Listen to Sen. Suzio's explanation of the gas tax cap, courtesy of WELI AM 960.