Pro-aviation tax bill considered in Connecticut
AOPA encourages members to speak up in support
Connecticut lawmakers are considering legislation that would align the state’s tax policy with neighboring states by exempting aircraft that weigh less than 6,000 pounds from the sales tax. Now is a good time to speak up and support this bill.
The Joint Committee on Finance, Revenue and Bonding will hold a public hearing March 8 at 9 a.m. on a slate of bills including H.B.5185, introduced by Rep. Joseph Gresko (D-Stratford) and strongly supported by AOPA, which has worked for years to exempt general aviation aircraft and services from state taxes. Such exemptions reliably benefit aircraft owners and aviation businesses including FBOs and maintenance shops, and create jobs. While sales taxes on GA aircraft and services raise a pittance on the revenue side of the equation compared to other transportation sectors, they do outsize damage to businesses that depend on customers who fly airplanes that put states with aviation-friendly policies within easy reach.
Approval by the committee with membership from both chambers of the legislature will be a key first step. The March 8 hearing (like most these days) will be conducted on Zoom, starting at 9 a.m. and include discussion of several bills. Those who wish to provide live testimony must contact the committee to register in advance. Written testimony can be emailed to the committee.
Those who wish to watch the hearing (without participating) can access the livestream on YouTube.
Many bills go through the hearing process with little or no public input, so a few words of support can go a long way toward securing passage of this important legislation, Collins said.
