Connecticut House Bill HB05480

Connecticut 2010 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/8/10
• Refer: 3/8/10

Caption

An Act Permitting A Regional Sales Tax.

Impact

If enacted, HB 5480 would empower local regional planning organizations to impose their own sales taxes, permitting them to respond more effectively to unique fiscal needs within their jurisdictions. The new revenue stream could support a variety of initiatives and projects, including those aimed at infrastructure improvements and capital expenditures. The proposed law is positioned to augment local control, allowing municipalities greater autonomy in fiscal management, especially in areas that require tailored financial resources for development.

Summary

House Bill 5480 seeks to authorize regional planning organizations to establish and impose a regional sales tax. This innovative revenue mechanism is intended to provide an additional source of funding for municipalities within a planning organization. The bill outlines the procedure under which a regional planning organization can approve the tax, determining the applicable sales, tax rate, and distribution of proceeds among municipalities. This tax would be collected and administered by the Department of Revenue Services, ensuring uniformity in processes across the state.

Contention

Despite its potential benefits, HB 5480 may encounter opposition concerning the implications of imposing additional taxes on residents and businesses. Critics could argue that introducing a regional sales tax may lead to confusion and dissatisfaction among constituents who perceive this as an overreach of governmental authority. There are also concerns that this measure could contribute to an inconsistent tax environment across regions, resulting in disparities in tax burdens that may not reflect the economic realities locally.