The Honorable M. Jodi Rell
Governor of  Connecticut
210 Capitol Ave.
Hartford, Connecticut 06106 
 
Dear Governor Rell,

I am writing on behalf of the thousands of truck drivers that reside in or transit the Great State of Connecticut.  I along with the many members of Owners Operators United Inc. are a bit dismayed to say the least at the proposed tax increase that is about to take place in Connecticut for purchasers of diesel fuel and gasoline.  This will obviously hurt the trucking industry at a time when it is already reeling from the effects of extraordinary increases in the price of fuel.  Numerous small truck companies have already been forced out of business and the future is dim for many more.  The high cost of fuel is already placing inflationary pressures on the national economy and will no doubt involve the Connecticut economy as well.

We noted that you recently vetoed legislation that would raise the minimum wage in Connecticut because it would hurt families and small businesses in Connecticut.  Specifically you said:  

“We cannot take a chance on hurting families or employers by signing another minimum wage increase into law at this time.  Businesses have told me that they would not be hiring if the wage hike went into effect. Employers that are now operating on the margin may be forced to close or leave Connecticut to more business-affordable states, resulting in job losses that will undermine the already fragile foundation of financial security for thousands of families.”

We respectfully submit that the increased tax on fuel in Connecticut will have a similar effect on jobs and will result in less hiring or possible lay-offs to offset the increased price. The increased transportation costs in Connecticut will reverberate throughout the state economy and hurt the citizens that are already facing economic uncertainty.  The major expense of trucking operations is the cost of fuel.  I, as a representative specifically of Owners Operators United Inc. and generally as a member of the nation’s trucking community with many that reside in Connecticut implore you to use your influence as Governor to initiate action to place this tax in abeyance at least until such time as the trucking community is able to recover from the recent unprecedented rise in the cost of fuel. 

We congratulate on your determination to insure the Connecticut economy is on firm footing and we trust you will use your office once again to protect small business owners and the citizens of Connecticut.

Sincerely,

Dan Little
President- Owner Operators United Inc.