Connecticut
Gov. Lamont pushes gas tax amid tepid response from Connecticut lawmakers
Gov. Ned Lamont continues to push for a gas tax holiday, even though the proposal appears to have little momentum in the legislature.
Lamont (D-Connecticut) first floated the idea during a press conference on March 10, saying it could help drivers facing rising gas prices amid the ongoing war in Iran.
He told reporters at the Capitol on Thursday that he remains keen on the idea.
“I’ve got 500 million (dollars) I can help people with, and I say sooner rather than later,” Lamont said.
A holiday would pause the 25-cent-per-gallon tax on gasoline and the 49-cent-per-gallon tax on diesel.
The average gas price in Connecticut on Thursday was $3.74, according to AAA, up from $3 per gallon a year ago.
Lawmakers were receptive to the idea when it was first floated, but on Thursday, they said it was part of broader budget talks.
“We’ll see how that works out in the budget,” Sen. Bob Duff (D-Majority Leader) said. “We’ll see how that works in the next few weeks.”
Duff and his Senate Democratic colleagues have proposed a package that includes more sales tax exemptions, a higher property tax credit, and additional tax breaks for renters and low-income families.
Senate Republicans made a similar pitch in a letter to Lamont on Wednesday, using the proposal as an invitation to talk about their call to use $1.6 billion in budget surplus funds to pay for tax cuts.
The estimated average tax cuts of $1,500 per person match what Sen. Ryan Fazio (R-Greenwich) has proposed on the campaign trail.
“It is possible, and not very difficult, to pay for tax relief in the long run if you reduce the growth of spending in the state budget,” Fazio said.
Senate Republicans have suggested budget cuts in future years could help make their tax cut permanent.
Lamont on Thursday reiterated his desire for a vote on the gas tax soon. He noted the House and Senate are set to vote next week on some judicial nominations.
“So there’s certainly a way to vote on it if the leaders want to vote on it,” Lamont said.
Lamont’s budget proposal includes setting aside $500 million in surplus funds to offer a one-time $200 tax rebate to most people, but he has since suggested the state could draw from that same fund to offset revenue lost by a gas tax holiday.
He repeated his concerns Thursday about other tax relief proposals, mainly those he questions the sustainability of.
The state is looking at a $1.6 billion surplus this year in tax revenues from certain unpredictable streams, including income tax from investors.
A volatility cap limits how much the state can spend from those streams, leading to this year’s surplus. Unspent money goes into the Rainy Day Fund and toward pension debt.
Senate Democrats and Republicans have both targeted that same surplus to pay for their tax relief plans.
House Democrats, meanwhile, suggested the state could use some of Lamont’s proposed $500 million pool to increase education aid.
“Everybody says I want something structural and long-term,” Lamont said Thursday. “That means structural deficits that are long-term. I don’t want that to happen.”
The state is in the middle of a two-year budget, but the legislature typically makes changes to that second year.
The legislature’s Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee has until April 1 to present and propose tax changes, while the Appropriations Committee’s deadline to approve a spending plan is the following day.
If lawmakers choose to present a plan that differs from Lamont’s, the two sides will likely negotiate a compromise before the legislature votes.
Those talks typically go until late in the session, which ends May 6 this year. If a gas tax holiday is part of the budget plan, it may not take effect until late spring or early summer.
Connecticut
Florida High School State Bronze Medalist Dajah German Verbals To Connecticut For Fall 2027
Fitter and Faster Swim Camps is the proud sponsor of SwimSwam’s College Recruiting Channel and all commitment news. For many, swimming in college is a lifelong dream that is pursued with dedication and determination. Fitter and Faster is proud to honor these athletes and those who supported them on their journey.
Florida high school state bronze medalist Dajah German has announced her verbal commitment to swim and study at the University of Connecticut beginning in the fall of 2027. She publicized the news on SwimCloud, writing:
I am so excited to announce my verbal commitment to continue my academic and athletic career at the University of Connecticut! I’m incredibly grateful for everyone who has supported me throughout this journey, my family, coaches, teammates, and friends who have pushed me to be my best throughout the years. And a very special thank you to Coach Chris and Coach Nicole for believing in me and giving me this opportunity. I’m so excited for what’s ahead. GO HUSKIES!
A rising senior at Fort Lauderdale High School in Florida, German trains year-round with Swim Fort Lauderdale and primarily specializes in the sprint and middle-distance freestyle events.
German has improved each year of her high school career, most recently dropping from 23.78, 51.39, and 1:50.56 in the 50/100/200 free to 23.54, 51.35, and 1:49.69 during the 2025-26 short course season.
German’s top meet of the season was the Florida Senior Championships in March, where she recorded her current PBs in both the 50 and 200 free. She finished second in the 500 free (4:55.94) and 1650 free (17:02.78), third in both the 50 free and 200 free, and fifth in the 100 free (51.43). She set her current 100 free PB at a smaller holiday meet in December. In the 500 free, she clocked a season-best 4:55.21 at the Speedo Cup in January, with her lifetime best of 4:53.19 coming at the 2025 Florida Senior Championships.
German has qualified for the FHSAA (Florida High School Athletic Association) State Championships for the past three years, with her top performance coming at the 2025 iteration in November. She placed third in the 50 free (23.96), fifth in the 500 free (5:01.12), and helped Fort Lauderdale to fourth place in both the 200 free relay (24.64 leadoff) and 400 free relay (53.08 anchor).
Top SCY Times:
- 50 Freestyle: 23.54
- 100 Freestyle: 51.35
- 200 Freestyle: 1:49.69
- 500 Freestyle: 4:53.19
A Division I Mid-Major program, Connecticut competes in the Big East, with the women’s team placing second out of seven teams at this past season’s conference championships. German’s current lifetime bests would have placed third in the 200 free, fourth in the 500 free, eighth in the 50 free, and ninth in the 100 free, setting her up as an immediate contributor with two full seasons of training still ahead before her first conference meet.
German joins Anna Mumford, Lyla Devlin, Lena Brown, and Louisa Holda in committing to the Huskies’ class of 2031 so far.
If you have a commitment to report, please send an email with a photo (landscape, or horizontal, looks best) and a quote to [email protected].
About the Fitter and Faster Swim Tour
Fitter & Faster Swim Camps feature the most innovative teaching platforms for competitive swimmers of all levels. Camps are produced year-round throughout the USA and Canada. All camps are led by elite swimmers and coaches. Visit fitterandfaster.com to find or request a swim camp near you.
FFT SOCIAL
Instagram – @fitterandfasterswimtour
Facebook – @fitterandfastertour
Twitter – @fitterandfaster
FFT is a SwimSwam partner.
Here are the forecast details for northern Connecticut via the National Weather Service:
Today: Sunny, with a high near 80. Light west wind increasing to 6 to 11 mph in the morning.
Tonight: Partly cloudy, with a low around 56. Northwest wind around 6 mph becoming calm in the evening.
Monday: A chance of showers before 2pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms between 2pm and 4pm, then showers likely and possibly a thunderstorm after 4pm. Increasing clouds, with a high near 76. Calm wind becoming southeast around 6 mph in the afternoon. Chance of precipitation is 60%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.
Monday Night: Showers and possibly a thunderstorm. Some of the storms could produce heavy rainfall. Low around 59. Southeast wind around 8 mph becoming southwest after midnight. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation amounts between three quarters and one inch possible.
WASHINGTON (7News) — A Park Police chase ends with a moped rider getting hit and killed on the Taft Bridge in Northwest D.C.
7News’ Washington, D.C. reporter, Phylicia Ashley, went to the scene moments after it happened Saturday evening and spoke to multiple witnesses.
Ximen DeFillippes was riding her bike near Woodley Road when she saw the chase.
ALSO READ | Secret Service detains fleeing driver after deadly crash near White House
“The Park Police passed me. We were on Woodley Road. And then I saw the car they were pursuing,” said DeFillippes. “It was going very fast on the sidewalk. It drove up on the sidewalk up Woodley Road.”
DeFilippes was on one side of the Taft Bridge.
“I’d never seen anything that crazy,” said DeFillippes. “It was, it was like really like homicidal. It was just insane. I’ve never seen anything like that.”
7News also saw the aftermath of the chase and found Lamont Penry on the other side of the bridge. He also saw the chase. It ended on the steps of the Chinese Embassy staff housing.
“The car crashed into the diplomatic car,” Penry said. “A young man jumps out, takes off running down the street. The other three guys came out kind of dizzy. They apprehended one who was on the bench. One was at the rear. Tire of the vehicle, looked to be a Camry, and the other was on the other side of the diplomatic car.”
In the middle of the bridge, 7News saw the victim’s body covered by a white sheet. Witnesses said that when the chase reached the Taft Bridge, one of the vehicles involved struck someone riding a scooter.
“Once the gentleman on the bridge was hit. We realized that no one stopped,” said Penry. “Police continued the pursuit until here, and then they turned around.”
RELATED | President Trump allows US Park Police to chase fleeing vehicles
Penry said all the alleged suspects involved looked young. While on scene, 7News saw one person get arrested and placed in an ambulance.
DeFilippes was riding her bike when she said two cars blocked her from getting caught in the midst of the chase.
“I’m feeling lucky that for those few seconds of my path being kind of blocked,” said DeFillippes. “I’m just so glad that happened. Or else I would have been right there. I’m not at all surprised that someone was hurt. Just. Just from the way everything was unfolding, I could just tell it was going to be bad.
-
Louisiana7 minutes agoDriver dies from gunshot wound after Louisiana State Police chase in New Orleans
-
Maine14 minutes agoMatt Dunlap wins primary in Maine’s 2nd District as Democrats seek to hang on to Jared Golden’s seat
-
Maryland17 minutes agoAP Decision Notes: What to expect in Maryland’s state primary – WTOP News
-
Michigan23 minutes agoWNEM Morning Extra: Lane closures begin across mid-Michigan for bridge inspections, road work
-
Massachusetts30 minutes agoFormer Emmanuel College Admissions Director Sentenced In Sex Trafficking Case
-
Minnesota32 minutes agoBygones: ‘Wets’ had their day in 1926 Minnesota primary
-
Mississippi37 minutes agoMississippi Association of Coaches Inducts Six New Members
-
Missouri44 minutes agoPatrol reports 10 arrests in north Missouri from June 19-21, 2026
