Crisco opposes idea of vehicle mileage tax

HARTFORD - State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr., D-Woodbridge, Wednesday declared his opposition to any sort of “vehicle mileage tax” while also seeking to end what he believes are public misperceptions about the issue.

State Sen. Joseph J. Crisco, Jr.

“The idea of a vehicle mileage tax was one of many options that was offered last year by a non-partisan transportation group as a means of paying for the huge commitment that Connecticut has to improving its transportation infrastructure. And the idea of instituting a VMT was rejected a year ago by both Democrats and Republicans; the press has already reported this,” Crisco said. 

“Just last week, our Democratic Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff leader made it clear that the legislature has no intention of ever instituting such a program in Connecticut.”

“Let’s end this mileage tax talk right now. There is no debate about the possibility of implementing a mileage tax. Democrats and Republicans in the legislature have already rejected the concept,” Crisco said.  

He said it’s unfortunate that, in May, the Connecticut Department of Transportation joined 16 states on the East Coast and the District of Columbia in applying to the federal government for a pilot program to recruit 50 volunteer motorists in each state to experiment with a VMT program who would receive fake invoices.

“News of the application confused the public who - like me - are wondering why the DOT would apply for a program they say they have no plans to implement,” Crisco said. “Maybe this VMT study will give Connecticut some useful information on how to reduce air pollution or reduce traffic congestion or prevent accidents, but the DOT hasn’t said that, and even then, I wonder if the money is worth it.”

Crisco also said Gov. Malloy should be more clear in ruling out a VMT as a way of financing Connecticut’s road and bridge improvements.

“The governor understands that improving Connecticut’s transportation infrastructure is what residents and businesses want, and that these improvements are going to drive a lot of economic development in the state,” Crisco said. “But a vehicle mileage tax is not the way to go.”

This is a press release from Crisco's office.