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Lamont's proposed gas tax cut might not be much help to diesel truck drivers

The proposal would cut 25 cents off the gas excise tax until June, but with diesel not included, truck drivers may be impacted the most

HARTFORD, Conn. — Some relief at the gas pump may be coming soon, but not for everyone. Gov. Ned Lamont's proposed gas tax holiday to help Connecticut residents through the end of June does not apply to diesel gas. 

Kiele Schand is the owner of a small business, Royalty Removal Solutions, and he said with gas prices still high, it's a challenge for his truck that runs on diesel fuel. 

"It costs $1 million to fill this truck up, I mean any given day I’m putting $140 or $150 to fill up the truck," said Schand.

Lamont's proposal would cut the gas tax by 25 cents. Some diesel drivers said if it's left out of the gas tax cut, the average person will still end up paying more in the long run. 

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"It really puts a hurting on the business which is what causes us to have to raise prices on the customers as well, so it kind of works in-cohesive with that," said Schand. 

Ninety-seven percent of trucks run on diesel fuel, according to President of the Motor Transport Association of Connecticut, Joe Sculley. He said diesel is already more expensive, and if every other driver is saving, everyone will end up paying more.

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"If you’re going to have a gas tax cut it should apply to diesel as well it should be a motor fuel tax holiday across the board," said Sculley. "Trucking companies have to pass it on. We operate on a very small profit margin, if we see an increase in cost we have to raise our prices accordingly in order to stay in business and keep delivering these products to the public." 

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Lamont is hoping to get the ball rolling as soon as next week, looking for bipartisan support from the legislature, while Sculley is looking for support for the trucking industry on the floor. 

"Let’s help fight back against inflation, let’s keep prices low for trucking companies and consumers who buy everything that comes on a truck," said Sculley. 

The state may also include a sales tax-free week in April in addition to the annual week in August, as well as free public bus rides for the month of April. 

Lindsey Kane is a reporter at FOX61 News. She can be reached at Lkane@fox61.com. Follow her on FacebookTwitter, and Instagram

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