“You can’t be serious.”
That was my initial reaction last fall after one of the Democrat leaders in the Connecticut legislature suggested that a new “Mansion Tax” be considered. The Connecticut “Mansion Tax” would add a statewide property tax on high-end homes above and beyond the municipal property taxes already paid by property owners.
But it was true. What will the threshold for the “Mansion Tax” be? $500,000? We’ll have to wait and see.
This spring, I had the same disbelief when I saw renewed calls from Democrats to again increase state income taxes on high earners. They labeled it a “Millionaire’s Tax.”
The call for the Millionaire’s Tax came despite the following facts:
- The state income tax is not producing its forecasted revenue, thereby squeezing out core budgetary services that impact our children, the disabled and the mentally ill.
- Revenues from quarterly and capital gains have grown by a minuscule 0-1 percent from 2010 to 2016, as compared to their 23 percent growth between 1994 and 1999.
- We have endured the two largest tax hikes in state history over the past five years.
What will the threshold for the “Millionaire’s Tax” be? $200,000? Stay tuned.
Fast forward to last month. A new tax idea is getting a summer test drive. It’s called the Connecticut Mileage Tax – a tax for every mile you drive, wherever you go.
Seriously!
These terrible tax ideas have all been floated in the past seven months. First the Mansion and Millionaires’ taxes, which pressure more high-earners to leave Connecticut, and now a potential By-The-Mile Tax which will especially hurt low- and middle class families.
Consider how the Mileage Tax would impact the local pizza delivery person going from house to house. Consider those who must travel great distances to get to and from their jobs. Consider those who must drive to get to the necessities of life: groceries, household supplies, and medicine. Finally, consider how this Big Brother-style Mileage Tax would not only invade your privacy, but would even slap on tax on your trip to a hospital emergency room!
I will fight tooth and nail to defeat each of these terrible tax hike scenarios, and I thank you all for your support. Your encouragement cuts across political party lines in a way that I have not seen before as your representative in Hartford.
Your support is appreciated, but it also fuels me in my efforts to continue bringing you the cold, hard, blunt truth about your Connecticut tax dollars.
Want the blunt truth? The current decision-makers in Hartford view you, dear reader, as one big ATM Machine. They have an addiction to spending your money, and they will keep turning to you to feed their habit.
Want even more blunt truth? The controversial, invasive and job-killing tax hikes in our state will not stop until the majorities who are steering Connecticut’s ship of state are replaced with more pro-growth and fiscally responsible senators and representatives.
What do you think about these blunt truths? Contact me via email.
Sen. Boucher represents Bethel, New Canaan, Redding, Ridgefield, Weston, and Wilton.