My favorite example of how CT is intent upon punishing the fools (like me) who set up shop here:
In CT, we have two state taxes on diesel fuel - one is a flat $0.26 per gallon, and the other is around 6% of the gross, called the "Gross Receipts Tax." The GRT is usually around 12 or 14 cents per gallon. Why is this a big deal? Because big trucks, which are the lifeline of the nation's supply chain, get around 5 or 6 MPG. OK, we do need taxes to get along -
Now the WTF? part - EVERY out of state truck passing through CT is exempt from and does not have to pay the 6% of the gross fuel tax. Out of state trucks can both be more competitive in CT, and also pay less than the CT trucks for road upkeep.
The two current hot topics in CT legislature - Not 'how to stop the hemorrhaging of business dollars out of state' but instead, banning elephant hooks before Ringling Bros. comes to town, (I sh** you not) and making grocery stores accept plastic shopping bags back. (The brown plastic bags are made from corn, and are biodegradable anyway.)
We have the distinction of being the only state in the union with a comparative loss in business growth. For example, UPS spent millions to get their HQ & to relocate their management people out of CT, and saved money in the process.
If I wasn't so entrenched here, I'd be long gone. The state 'leaders' are burying us alive.
Bad news for Benny - Kiplingers states that the cost of living in W. Hartford, CT is higher than in NYC.
