Opinion: Lamont’s truck tax will pour gasoline on the inflationary fire

From CT Post. Take a look around your home or place of work and consider this: Virtually every item you see has traveled on the back of a truck at one point. Trucks are the lifeblood of our economy and essential to the quality of life we all enjoy each and every day. This fact…

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From CT Post.

Take a look around your home or place of work and consider this: Virtually every item you see has traveled on the back of a truck at one point. Trucks are the lifeblood of our economy and essential to the quality of life we all enjoy each and every day. This fact was more apparent than ever throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.

As coronavirus traveled across the U.S., it became harder and harder for supplies to do the same thing. But while most others locked down, truckers masked up and got to work. It’s a good thing, because more than 98.5 percent of the goods in Connecticut are moved by truck. As the old adage goes — if you bought it, a truck brought it.

That’s precisely why the new truck tax championed by Gov. Ned Lamont will have devastating consequences for businesses and families across Connecticut. Gov. Lamont and his allies in the statehouse are boasting about passing a budget with no tax increases. Anyone who believes that is in store for a rude awakening.

It’s been said that inflation is the “hidden tax.” But Lamont’s truck tax won’t stay hidden, because truckers across Connecticut and the many customers whom we serve — grocery stores, restaurants, retailers, manufacturers and family farms — will make loud and clear why the price of goods online and in-store are rising for everyone.

The truck tax will also take a toll on jobs. Connecticut is home to 10,060 trucking companies, providing more than 62,990 trucking industry jobs across the state. Most of these companies are small and locally owned-businesses, operating six or fewer trucks. Many won’t be able to absorb a 17-cents-per-mile tax increase and will be forced out of business.

See the complete article online at CT Post.

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