Ridiculous Just Got Rediculouser – Connecticut to Increases Fuel Taxes on July 1 

I know I probably just coined a new word, but “rediculouser” is the only way to describe the increased tax on gasoline and diesel fuel that is getting ready to be imposed on drivers in Connecticut on July 1.  Seems the legislators being the forward looking thinkers that they are, tied the Connecticut state tax to the wholesale price of gasoline so that taxes would rise automatically as the cost of fuel increases.  They created a law which can be effectively blamed on their predecessors.  The result of their efforts will automatically increase the price of diesel fuel by 7.7 cents and the gasoline tax by three to four cents per gallon.  

A recent news story in the Hartford Courant details the reasons for the increase with lawmakers making the usual hue and cry, but stating that “it's complicated.”  It really isn't complicated at all – they could stop this increase from happening, but it sounds at least for now, that they will wait and see how much public indignation is aroused.  After all Connecticut needs to maintain their standing as one of the highest cost of living states.  Having grown up in Connecticut and also having quickly abandoned that state as soon as I could, I am always amazed at the high cost of living in that state.  Wage earners almost always brag about their income when compared to the rest of the nation, but somehow fail to realize that the state quickly extracts higher than normal taxes and fees on almost every economic activity that occurs which negates any higher earnings.  Oh well – for those that continue to reside in Connecticut, I wish them well.  For those passing through – I recommend they fuel their vehicles before entering and get out of there as fast as possible.     

The Courant quotes Michael J. Riley, president of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut. "It's way too much at this stage of the game — given the price of fuel."  A quick check of their web site indicated that there was no information about the planned increase and one can only surmise that nothing more than pitiful complaints will emanate from that association.  The American Trucking Association's news arm TT Online has a story, but no mention of any action that might be taken to object to the the planned increase.  Wonder if the Owners- Operators United has anything planned?