Suzio, Danby’s Protesting Impending Gas Tax Hike

Gas prices have started to climb again, topping $3.70 a gallon throughout most of Meriden in recent weeks and with no sign or a reprieve in sight and the state set to increase the tax on gas starting in July, former state senator Len Suzio and Danby’s Gas are teaming up in protest.

Suzio will lead the protest at Danby’s Gas, located at 872 East Main St. in Meriden, on Thursday evening from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in an effort to show what costs would be if the state were to eliminate the gross receipts tax.

"Connecticut, which already has the highest gas prices in all of New England, will have the highest state gas taxes in the continental United States once the increase in the hidden tax takes effect July 1,” Suzio said. “Connecticut families, particularly the poor and the middle class are already hard pressed to pay Connecticut's outrageous gas prices and will suffer even more with another increase.”

The state’s General Assembly earlier this year passed a bill that would increase the tax, based on a sliding scale, effective July 1. The price per gallon already includes a $0.22 per gallon tax, Suzio said.

On Thursday, staff said Danby’s will lower their prices for a short time to reflect what the cost would be per gallon in the tax was not in place.

“Connecticut gas taxes are already more than double the Massachusetts tax. Now the governor and the Legislature are scheming to hit us yet again. It's time to say 'enough’,” Suzio said.

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