Monday, April 28, 2008

What price gasoline and diesel?

What price gasoline and diesel? Will it soon be $5 and $6 a gallon? Connecticut now has the second highest gas tax in the country. Between federal, state per gallon and the state gross earnings tax at 7.52%, motorists are paying .63 cents per gallon in tax. Why? Is any of this money supposedly going to highway and road maintenance? Has anyone driven on I-84,I-91 or I-95 lately? Our highway system looks like a vast parking lot with daily projects that never end.
Gasoline is approaching $4 a gallon. Diesel is at $4.50 a gallon and rising. Over 16%percent of the cost of gasoline and diesel is now taxes and will continue to escalate as gas prices continue to go up. Our costs of living are increasing daily because of this. Our elected officials in Hartford are enjoying this as they see more tax monies going into the general fund so that more can be spent. The secret gross earnings tax will go up again on July 1. And there is no action by Hartford. Nothing at all.
We are already the highest taxed state in the country at 38.3% per capita income based on local, state and federal taxes. Apparently state elected officials are proud of this distinction. Lower the fuel tax today. However, we know this will not happen any time soon.

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