Gov. Ned Lamont today signed onto a regional cap and invest program called the Transportation and Climate Initiative that will raise the price of gasoline by upwards of 17 cents per gallon.
Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker sent out a press release of the final Memorandum of Understanding between TCI and other Northeastern states including Connecticut and Rhode Island.
“Participating in the TCI-P will help grow our economy through a fresh injection of capital to provide for jobs and new infrastructure,” Lamont said in the press release. “This collaboration will cut our greenhouse gas emissions, and it will make our urban centers healthier, after decades of being adversely impacted by the emissions being released by traffic every day. Connecticut has always taken pride in our leadership role when it comes to climate, and when we can combine that with a stronger economy, fast transit systems, and regional cooperation, that’s a win for all of us.”
Gov. Dannel Malloy originally signed on to the plan, but Gov. Ned Lamont has wavered on saying whether or not Connecticut would continue its commitment.
Lamont had also said he would leave it to the legislature to decide whether or not to commit to the regional initiative as Malloy did with the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
Republican House Minority Leader Vincent Candelora, R-North Branford, said the TCI proposal “will have to come to the legislature.”
“Gov. Lamont can sign on in concept but the details will have to come before the legislature,” Candelora said. “I’d hate to see the legislature defer any of its taxing authority to a regional entity.”
The TCI plan would place a cap on emissions for gasoline producers and distributors, requiring them to purchase carbon allowances. The funds generated – estimated by TCI to be upwards of $7 billion per year – would then be distributed to participating states to invest in electric cars, buses, bike paths and “climate justice” initiatives.
However, the gasoline producers and distributors would likely pass the additional costs onto drivers, increasing the price at the pump by upwards of 17 cents in the first year alone, according to TCI.
The cap on emissions would be lowered annually, thereby increasing the cost to drivers on a yearly basis.
TCI says the cap and invest system will create jobs and reduce pollution-related illness in affected populations, resulting in $10 billion worth of public health benefits.
Critics, on the other hand, liken the policy to a regional gasoline tax and say that it will hurt working families trying to earn a living commuting to work, particularly in light of the economic suffering caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“TCI is just another gas tax that will disproportionally hurt low and middle-income families who cannot afford an electric vehicle,” said Chris Herb, president of the Connecticut Energy Marketers Association.
“It is sad that Connecticut would even consider increasing the cost of driving to work, bringing their children to school, and going to church only to advantage people who can already afford to buy an EV,” Herb continued.
Randy
December 21, 2020 @ 2:03 pm
The democrats already starting to bankrupt the state and ill bet their is some kickback or bribe from Tci to the THREESTOOGES but the CT. Dopes who voted DEMOCRAT are too stupid to see the damage GHEYAREDOING call yourcongressman
MICHAEL KIJEK
December 21, 2020 @ 3:00 pm
Lamont needs to go ive lived in CT FOR 58 YEARS AND AM SAD TO SAY I JUST WANT TO LEAVE BECAUSE OF THE MANNER ITS RUN AND WISH THE REPUBLICANS RUNNING THIS STATE WOULD STOP HIM FROM MAKING IT WORSE.
Jim
December 21, 2020 @ 3:16 pm
Another tax from this mindless, clueless CHump in a cheap SUIt. Tax away neddy … your just adding another nail in the states coffin. Let’s all get E V’ s in a state with one of the highest electrical costs.
Cant wait to move out….
Gar
December 22, 2020 @ 6:57 pm
Yes it is in the middle of a pandemic with people hurting we look for leadership and this moron Lamont gives us this really what the hell did we elect here
Jess Mallory
January 14, 2021 @ 9:23 pm
People in CT who voted for this guy obviously like to pay higher taxes! Seniors living on fixed incomes will be taking on more financial burden. Have to go back and work again at 74 and hope I don’t get Covid
We need tax relief not Higher taxes
Sue Small
December 21, 2020 @ 3:34 pm
Like our gas prices are not high enough!
US Marine Vet
February 26, 2021 @ 12:59 am
Yes exactly! Sneaking bastard couldnt “toLl” a vehilce Daily so he taxes gas INSTEAD. Think about it..if The aVerage car fills up twice a week, at a 17 cent INCREASE to start (already up 67 cents since election) on 12 gallons X ROUGHLY 500,000 VEHICLES statewide daily he got his million plus a dAy that he was looking for! Also, lets Save gas and make troopers sign cruisers out daily like lOcal coPs do Vs 20+ years of free fuel! Been here 4 years and hate it! And silly me thought all the crooks were in NY and DC! Nope, they are in Ct! What losers they are! This is exactly what trump Fought while congRess spent billions and too much wasted tIme trying to remove him! And quess what democrats? The stock market dumped out today, first of many for sure now that Dems own biden!! we are In for a shitstorm until 2024! Buckle up bonehead demOcrats, you asked for it! Thanks alot!
Mike
December 21, 2020 @ 4:17 pm
people are moving out of CT in droves lol!!!
Now hes gonna tax you out
Rick
December 21, 2020 @ 4:23 pm
Been here 65 years and cAnt wait to move to a FRIENDLIER state down south. Another gas tax is the last nail in my and many others coffin. Lamont has No shame since his fAmily has no incoMe issues.
Dave Moquin
December 22, 2020 @ 3:00 pm
Rick do move to Vir our De GovErnor is doing The same here!
Robert S Zapp
December 23, 2020 @ 8:21 pm
Believe it or not I’m moving to Birmingham alabama. University of Birmingham hospital system is better than or at equal to Yale New haven. Low taxes. Was going to move to Texas, but a bunch of Californians moving there turning the state purple.
Robert moore
December 21, 2020 @ 4:27 pm
The republicans have not run this state in about 40 years. This is all on the democrats.
sue
December 21, 2020 @ 4:40 pm
Can we do a citizens arrest…he is just downriight dirty. fOLLOW THE MONEY TRAIL. i HOPE HE GETS ARRESTED SOON!
Arthur Mazeau
December 25, 2020 @ 9:51 am
Tar and feathers are much more appropriate!
Bob Blackwell
December 21, 2020 @ 5:27 pm
Time to get Lamont out of office
Chris
December 21, 2020 @ 5:55 pm
Don’t forget the FMLA tax that’s going to kick in on jan 1 as well! Another program that’s going to be filled with fraud and abuse.
Stuck here for now
December 21, 2020 @ 5:59 pm
Cant wait to getout of here. He is so rich And detached from ct families.
Lori Swanson
December 21, 2020 @ 6:01 pm
enough is enough. it’s time to move.
keVin
December 21, 2020 @ 6:08 pm
You voted for this wAste of oxygen. Own it
Bobby V
December 21, 2020 @ 6:11 pm
Notice these states just dont give the TCI sone of their own revenue snd instead dump it on the taxpayer
Donna
December 21, 2020 @ 6:24 pm
Lamont needs to stop taxing the workers who are dying from overtaxation. Its so difficult to live let alone even consider retirement . He is doing nothing for the ENVIRONMENT but doing a lot yo make ordinary people suffer. Im all for storming the capital and protesting his stupid ideas! I nEver voted for this clown and say thanks a lot for nothing! You are the worst GOVERNOR in our states history!!
James
December 22, 2020 @ 5:15 pm
i can’t waIt to leave this state permanently
John
December 21, 2020 @ 6:28 pm
WTF!!!!!! WTF!?!?!?!?!? GET YOUR HANDS OUT OF MY F*-‘ING POCKETS!!!!!!
Ra ndy bowles
December 21, 2020 @ 6:42 pm
In the middle of a pandemic and with unemployment above 8% he wants to raIse gas taxes? Wrong move dummy🧐
Char
December 21, 2020 @ 7:04 pm
Why does CT want folks to leave?? Don’t blame the Dems…the Republicans are just as guity – all the corporations want to get paid….jeez. Maloy ran to Maine – Rell ran to colorado…hell none of them stayed here – rowland tried but he is to crooked to try and even do right – after he has been given numerous chances…
John Kleinschmidt
December 21, 2020 @ 7:47 pm
Lamont Sh_tbag. Sick of politicians overstepping their constitutional authority and more than anything just plain ruining our states and country. Thieves and Robbers.
See “The Law” by Frederic Bastiat. Same story 160 years ago….
God Blessc the United States of America!
Richard Crooks
December 21, 2020 @ 8:25 pm
Where were you bain dead when dictator trump gave millions to his friends and that was all right by you, get a life.
Us maRine vet
February 26, 2021 @ 1:12 am
Really? Dont be a haTer pres trump still loveS you MorOn! Amazing just how much stupidity surrounds Us each day! You are IGNORANT if your bLaming this crap, this Lamont and CT crap, on Pres Trump!! Dony worry tho cupcake YOU’LL see him again in 2024! “The revenge round”. Ps: Be sure to get gas tomorRow So lamont gets his ALLOWANCE and send your bff some flowErs too.
Pam
December 21, 2020 @ 9:16 pm
Sonofabitch….time to get more involved and bring common sense back….how are people going to pay these freaking unbelievable taxes and survive??? I regret ever coming back to this shit state
Peter C Jenkin
December 21, 2020 @ 9:37 pm
From what I’ve read so far, I see nothing that shows how increasing the tax on gas will decrease pollution. We will still drive our cars, because that’s how we get from home to work, shopping, church, school, activities, etc. Public transit can’t do it without drastically increasing the time involved, even if we can get access to a bus line or train.
Peter sherr
December 21, 2020 @ 10:48 pm
the common thread of ct governance is trust fund do-gooders who wave wands to “remake” society. Lodge, Bush, Weicker, and now lamont. Slowly Connecticut wastes away under their experimental policy failures. In 1990, there were 15 fortune 500 companies headquartered in stamford. there are now 3. we used to be a global center of future industries including advanced manufacturing, biotech-pharma, abd aerospace-aeronautics. what happened? IDEAS LIKE THIS ONe THAT DO NOTHING BUT MAKE CT COST OF LIVING MORE EXPENSIVE and the state uncompetitive.
John
December 21, 2020 @ 11:55 pm
Earth’s polar caps have had ice on them for approx. 20% of the time earth has existed!
And these morons think Man can keep that ice where it is?
Elizabeth Jean McDermott
December 22, 2020 @ 3:43 am
I am glad I do not drive, I guess the Govenenor dod not realize that he is just adding more hardhsip to the connecticut community. Increaseing the gas tax is gong to hurt the general public and not help. I guess it will help greenhouse emissions as people will not be driving as much anymore. I hope he continues to fund public transportaion as more people will be opting to use it instead of taking cars. than you for allowng the general public to feel liek they have not confidence in this administarion, i for one changed parties because of you.
William
December 22, 2020 @ 9:00 am
TCi caTers to cities where mass transit is FEASIBLE and penalizes the suburbs where mass transit will never work. ELECTRIC cars don’t work foR most people. It Takes 4 days to recharge A teslA from empty to full using a standard 120 volt outlet. It takes 6-30 hours With an 80 amp 240 volt outlet. Sorry, you will need to upgrade your house electrical service for the extra 80 amps. Tesla’s SUPERCHARGING stations only take one hour, but they need 480 volts which you can’t get at home. On long trips your 5 miNute stop for gas Could turn intO an overnight Or longer stay at a hotel while your car recHarges . There is good reason why most states opted out of this RIDICULOUS tci fiasco. Its an additional tax on our freedom of choice to drive what we want, And alternative fuEls just don’T work for most of us. HOPEFULLY our State legislators will have the common sense to throw Tci oUt with the trash.
Suzanne
December 22, 2020 @ 9:03 am
This is one of the Dumbest things he has done, people who have lost tHere jobs, no UNEMPLOYMENT, and trying to survive, no money for food, rent, utilities and this jerk is raising gas tax
25 cents a gallon for clean air ( which i am in favor of) but not now with covid rampaNt. All we heAr is the economy is down well this sure as heck isn’t Going to help. Drop it fOr now and reconsider at a much later date. Use your power to help connecticut not knock us down
Brian Garceau
December 22, 2020 @ 11:34 am
Most of the income From This tax increase will Go to pay for ridiculous state worker pensions.
Steve
December 22, 2020 @ 1:12 pm
All of it.
Dan Stevenson
December 22, 2020 @ 1:14 pm
What the state should do is Tax the rich and stop picking on the middle and lower class.
Cjk
December 22, 2020 @ 1:27 pm
How do you sleep at night?
craig heser
December 22, 2020 @ 4:35 pm
Here we go ……..!@! %^&^&%$ !!!!
all that free money sent to everyone via stimulus checks and etc .. ??? well here is where we all start paying the toll to the troll !!! the gov will get the money back twofold… nothing but nothing is free and yet some people just can’t grasp that !
Carl
December 22, 2020 @ 8:47 pm
👍
Tina
December 22, 2020 @ 9:33 pm
WELL GEE WHIZ! iF I WAS A COMPANY LOOKING TO SET UP SHOP i WOULD JUST RUSH TO SET IT ALL UP AND GET IT GOING IN “EXPENXIVE TO LIVE IN” ct! not!!
Dan malloy
December 22, 2020 @ 11:09 pm
Thanks for VOTING this scumbag in office you WorthLeSs FREELOADERS
Get a job democ rats
John OHare
December 23, 2020 @ 10:59 am
The Governor has forgotten that ALL taxes are regressive. All governmental money comes from the taxpayer and the taxpayer has a finite amount to offer up to the government. government’s job is to serve the people not fleece the people.
Kevin Booth
December 23, 2020 @ 11:08 am
THIS IS ILLEGAL. sTATES CAN NOT BIND WITH EACH OTHER IN LAW, ONLY THE US GOVERNMENT CAN BIND WITH STATES. MORE REMOVAL OF THE CONSTITUTION. THE ARE BREAKING THE LAW. BOTH GOVERNORS SHOULD ARRESTED.
Mike Sabia
December 23, 2020 @ 12:03 pm
DOES ANYONE IN POLITICS KNOW HOW TO REDUCE SPENDING ???? WHEN WAS THE LAST AUDIT PERFORMED IN CT??? LETs DRIVE MORE PEOPLE OUT OF CT!!!
j.w.
December 23, 2020 @ 12:12 pm
“WE THE PEOPLE” OF CONNECTICUT, THE WORKING CLASS AND BELOW, SHOULD NOT HAVE TO PAY ADDITIONAL TAX JUST BECAUSE YOU DIDN’T GET YOUR TOLL ROADS!! JUMPING ONBOARD/IN BED WITH THE Tci-p is doing just that! we can not afford to sustain during covid let alone with the meager “stimulus” package submitted to fund other countries and your interest groups!! where is this money supposed to come from mr. lamont?!! you and your team have lost grip on reality and how much the working family or otherwise supports fiscally this state! here you are pushing your addenda under the guise of lowering emissions but what it’ll really do is raise your bottom line while further punishing us all for living in ct! what a shame! looks like it’s time to move to a red state!
Arthur Maxesu
December 24, 2020 @ 8:17 pm
Fire that asshole! People are losing their livelihood and he adds additional expense !
motherboard
December 27, 2020 @ 8:59 am
I’m all for alternative energy sources, but I’d like to see some proof that charging people 17 more cents per gallon will lower our greenhouse gas emissions anytime soon. People will still drive where they have to drive. And it’s poorer people with longer commutes that will bear the brunt of this. If you are going to make it more expensive to drive places, then *at the same time* (not at some nebulous point in the future) you should make it cheaper and more convenient, to take public transportation. Bike paths, although I would love to see more of them, will not help people in the northeast get to work in the winter.
Harry stearns
December 31, 2020 @ 11:25 am
OMG….I live on SS and there goes my increase plus……Ned is your governor…his wife is!!! Ned is her puppet!!!
Robert Kenton
January 5, 2021 @ 5:32 pm
Ned, Why not ATTRACT businesses to the state. Make it a place that businesses can prosper, increase employment and widen your tax base. Dipping into our pockets will only increase poverty, anxiety and animus towards the state which will eventually culminate in a negative outcome for state policies. People are leaving, Florida and Texas are going great Guns. All the blue states are in serious trouble more so than the red states. Stop the bleeding, change course. Be strong, go against the grain of your party. Be INNOVATIVE. Through INNOVATION there is INCLUSION. “Profiles in Courage” if you haven’t read it you should. Everybody’s a critic, I know but you put yourself into the public arena and you can’t please everybody but you can please yourself by doing the right thing and that would be helping your constituents advance economically, Socially and morally.
Robert
March 25, 2021 @ 10:07 pm
INCREASE in gas prices is a raise foR DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS paychecks and nothing Else ! Open your eye’s DEMOCRATIC voters . If you see Nothing its because YOU’VE
Got you heads up your ass ! Pull your heads out and let THE party you voted for shove their Dick’s up your asses Hard And Deep !
Just Freakin admit you made a mistake and lets put a end to this Bullshit !
Karen
March 27, 2021 @ 5:36 pm
No more taxes. Raise the casinos percentage you receive monthly. I’m paying that extra money attached to our registration for state parks parking. I can’t be outside due to my medical conditions. No beaches, parks or sitting outside in the sun and daylight. So I pay for nothing. Tints on my windows must be checked every two years because they are illegal and they need to check them along with Dr signature. I have to pay for that as well….we are thinking about moving as well.
Marlin Williams
March 31, 2021 @ 3:59 am
When Lamont ran for gov the campaign bought a chevy for commercials showing Lamont driving himself around the state in it. In reality this phony owns a Bentley and is driven by a chauffeur. Rest assured ned won’t be buying a volt anytime soon.
Dean
June 10, 2021 @ 9:06 pm
Rather than charging consumers the nickel a gallon, Lamont said wholesalers might take the five-cent loss to stay competitive at the pump though that doesn t tend to happen now with the wholesale tax.
Robert Bown
August 26, 2021 @ 12:58 pm
If this tax passes, I won’t vote for any democrat At the state or local level. Take the pledge !