Following is the testimony First Selectman Tesoro provided today, March 15, 2021, to the Connecticut General Assembly on B 171: An Act Establishing a State-Wide Tax on Real Property.
Testimony to the Connecticut General Assembly on other Bills will be posted on the Town website when submitted.
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My name is Vicki Tesoro and I am the First Selectman of Trumbull.
I am speaking in opposition to SB 171: An Act Establishing a State-Wide Tax on Real Property, which will establish a one mill state-wide property tax on commercial and residential property whose property is assessed at $300,000 or greater.
This legislation would impose a financial burden on our residents and businesses many of whom are still struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Our seniors, many of whom purchased their homes decades ago have seen their valuations rise over time. These citizens, many on fixed incomes, would find this tax particularly difficult. Our businesses too are stressed already due to COVID limitations. The majority of tenant leases in our commercial plazas place the burden of property and real tax directly on tenants, most of which are small businesses. This added burden may put them over the edge. These are two examples but, as you can imagine, many of our homeowners’ finances would be severely impacted if this bill is passed.
In short, this is the wrong time to be adding an additional property tax burden to our citizens. I don’t believe there would ever be a right time.
I strongly oppose this legislation.
Vicki A. Tesoro
First Selectman
Town of Trumbull