By Kathy Kennedy
State Rep., R-119
Kathy Kennedy
I have been unable to escape the surging costs that haunt our community at all levels, from a stop at the local gas station to purchasing a dozen eggs. It is safe to say that recent inflation has affected virtually all our friends and neighbors, with very little sign of relief.
While flipping burgers at my Fourth of July family barbecue, I asked myself how we can better prepare to tackle our next “pocketbook pressure.”
I guess it’s something about the sweet aroma of a summer barbecue that inspires political thought, as Rep. Charles Ferraro and I engaged in hours of open and effective discussion with Orange residents last month at our post-session cookout. Between the concerns raised about financial insecurities motivated by the July 1 23 percent diesel fuel tax hike and wondering how folks will pay for rising utility, water and insurance costs, it was clear: all taxpayers are hurting.
Inflation has now trickled into health care costs. The Connecticut Insurance Department announced 2023 proposed insurance rate increases that could potentially rise 20.4 percent for some individual plans and 14.8 percent for certain group-market plans. With this proposed rate increase, Republicans have called for an open public hearing to encourage constituents to voice concerns over yet another pocketbook pressure.
Families are already making unprecedented sacrifices when shopping for essential goods, yet legislative Democrats did not take the opportunity in the most recent legislative session to repeal the highway use tax or consider our plan to provide meaningful financial relief to businesses and residents. So what’s next? Electricity, water, heating oil? As we reach the peak of summer, we must prepare ourselves for the long run.
As some of my colleagues across the aisle celebrate how gas prices are no longer triple, but only double what they were over a year ago, I am unfortunately anticipating the future effects of inflation that should have been addressed in the majority party’s state budget adjustments. I will continue to advocate for the use of the state’s historic $800 million surplus to help Milford and Orange families.
I strongly believe that we should be using the money in the state’s overflowing coffers to reduce the sales tax from 6.35 percent to 5.99 percent as well as suspend the 1 percent meals tax on prepared foods, which would provide $212.1 million in tax relief. Additionally, energy costs could be mitigated by providing $40 million in assistance to help offset the cost of rising prices, which have more than doubled in the past year.
For more ways on how we can make Connecticut more affordable, visit AffordableConnecticut.com, share your voice, and hold your government accountable.
As always, please contact me should you have any questions about this important issue or concerns on any other topics relating to state government at Kathy.Kennedy@housegop.ct.gov or at 800-842-1423.