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CT Again; Do we want the state setting taxes on our old cars???


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More good news... via a broadcast message from 4-Cs rep received yesterday, 3/10/2012 (and let me see if I can paste in his attached document in at the very bottom also):

-----Original Message-----

From: DABajumpaa <DABajumpaa@aol.com>

To: dabajumpaa <dabajumpaa@aol.com>

Sent: Sat, Mar 10, 2012 6:15 pm

Subject: 4C's Legislative Update: HB5405 - Increasing Max. Assessed Value of Antique Cars

Fellow CT Council of Car Clubs (4C's) Members:

Yesterday (March 9, 2012), I provided oral and written testimony on behalf of the 4C's at the public hearing on House Bill 5405. House Bill 5405 proposes to impose a state wide mill rate for all motor vehicle property taxes. This means if you live in a city/town with a relatively low mill rate, you will end up paying more in local property taxes to subsidize others that live in a city/town with a relatively high mill rate. The state will act as the middleman to redistribute these funds. House Bill 5405 also proposes to increase the minimum age of an antique, rare or special interest vehicle from its current 20 year age to 30 years. The bill also raises the maximum property tax assessment on antique, rare or special interest vehicles from the current $500 limit to $2500 dollars.

Attached is House Bill 5405, "An Act Establishing a State-Wide Mill Rate for Motor Vehicles and Amending the Definition of Antique, Rare or Special Interest Motor Vehicles." It is a .pdf file - the same as that sent out in my E-mail last Saturday. The proposal to raise the maximum property tax assessment from $500 to $2500 starts on page 5 of 8, line 132 (Section 3 - which proposes to revise Subsection (B) of Section 12-71 of the General Statutes). The proposal to raise the minimum age of an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle from 20 to 30 years starts on page 7 of 8, line 187 (Section 5 - which proposes to revise Subdivision (2) of Section 14-1 of the General Statutes). When reading this, note that text enclosed in brackets [ ] is being deleted. Underlined text is being added to the statute. If the text is neither contained in brackets or underlined, it is the current statute text that is not being changed.

At the public hearing yesterday, the House Democratic Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey spoke in favor of the bill followed by Rep. Jeff Berger from Waterbury. The problem or inequity that they are trying to fix is that an individual who lives in a high mill rate municipality pays considerably more property tax on their motor vehicle than a person in a low mill rate municipality for the same motor vehicle. We can agree that this is not really fair. From the testimony, a number of residents that live in these high mill rate municipalities seek out ways to reduce their tax burden by illegally registering their motor vehicle in a municipality with a lower mill rate, even though it is garaged in the higher mill rate town. The representatives indicate this is a significant problem.

What was most troubling to me about their testimony was when Representative Sharkey expressed that the proposed increase in the antique car assessment from $500 to $2500 will help offset the costs of this program. I am concerned that if the state is successful in taking over this local property tax and raising the maximum assessment on antique cars from $500 to $2500, this would only be a first step. With the availability of state resources to study the value of antique cars being much greater than at the local level, I can easily envision the state seeking higher and higher taxes on antique cars in future legislative sessions as a way to fund this redistribution of tax revenue from low to high mill rate municipalities. In my opinion, we need to do what we can to prevent the state from taking over this local property tax.

One encouraging thought came from a member of the Planning and Development Committee (Representative Christopher Davis - Republican - Ellington and East Windsor). Rep. Davis asked why not just allow municipalities to charge a separate mill rate for motor vehicles (the same for everyone in the state to fix the stated problem) and adjust the mill rate on other property in a town to cover the balance of the municipalities budget. (In other words, keep the local property tax local, and not redistribute any tax revenue from a low mill rate municipality to a higher mill rate municipality.) Personally, I am much more agreeable to this concept than the state taking over this local property tax. Perhaps we should get behind this concept and let our legislators know. Who knows, even though it came from a Republican, maybe it can get some traction, and indirectly help our hobby?

Provided below is my oral testimony on this aspect of HB 5405:

As an individual taxpayer, I am opposed to the state wide mill rate for motor vehicles as proposed. This will result in a tax increase to those Connecticut residents who happen to live in a municipality with low mil rate. This takeover of a local property tax by the state, and the redistribution of tax dollars from lower mil rate towns to higher mil rate towns is not appropriate. I am also concerned that the costs to administer such a program will increase everyone's tax burden. The state should not be taking on this additional burden in these difficult economic times. That being said, I want to focus my testimony on the portions of House Bill 5405 that adversely impacts the antique automotive hobby...

Provided below is my testimony on the portions of HB 5405 that specifically pertain to the antique auto hobby:

The 4C’s is opposed to the portion of House Bill 5405 that raises the maximum assessed value of an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle from $500 to $2500. We believe the proposed change is not warranted considering that antique automotive hobbyists already pay their fair share of property taxes on the other motor vehicles we use as primary transportation. Also, the proposed change is not warranted considering the significant benefits the hobby provides to the community.

Antique automotive hobbyists in this state have other motor vehicles that are used as primary transportation. We refer to them as "daily drivers." These vehicles are subject to the same property taxes that everyone else in the state pays. Because of this, antique automotive hobbyists are already paying their fair share of property taxes on motor vehicles. Unlike many other hobbies, our hobby requires us to register our antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles. Since they are registered, these hobby vehicles are easier to identify for the purpose of accessing property tax than other hobbies. Hobbyists, such as those that collect artwork, furniture, stamps, coins, or rare books, cannot be easily identified for the purposes of assessing property tax, and are not taxed. Increasing the maximum property tax assessment of antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles would unfairly put the antique automotive hobbyists in a situation where the tax burden associated with their hobby would be excessive, as compared to other hobbies.

In addition, the antique automotive hobbyist provides benefits to the community that many other hobbies don’t provide. There are several car shows each weekend in the state throughout the late spring, summer, and early fall. These car shows benefit many Connecticut charities and organizations, resulting in significant revenues to these charities and organizations. In addition, on any given weekday night, there are several cruise nights in Connecticut where automotive hobbyists gather. These car shows and cruise nights result in increased spending at restaurants and local business throughout the state, helping improve the state economy. Also, the use of antique, rare or special interest vehicles in local parades and other city and town functions throughout the state provide a significant positive benefit to the community. The availability of antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles is also a benefit to the developing film business in Connecticut. Increasing the assessed value of an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle would have an adverse impact on the antique automotive hobby that provides these significant benefits to the state.

Based on the above, the Connecticut Council of Car Clubs is strongly opposed to the provision of House Bill 5405 that proposes to increase the maximum assessed value of an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle from $500 to $2500.

House Bill 5405 also proposes to increase the minimum age of an antique, rare or special interest vehicle from 20 to 30 years. The Connecticut Council of Car Clubs would prefer that the minimum age of an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle not be changed. It is not clear that any benefit associated with increasing the minimum age from 20 to 30 years outweighs the potential burden hobbyists that currently own vehicles between 20 and 30 years old may encounter having to reregister their motor vehicles. Currently, the state statutes allow the DMV to issue special number plates (or antique plates) to antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles greater than 20 years old. If the minimum age is changes to 30 years, it is not clear whether those motor vehicles with special number plates would be "grandfathered" or they need to turn those plates in and reregister their motor vehicles with a different plate. The hobby would be more receptive to this proposed change if current vehicles with special number plates are not required to reregister their motor vehicles.

The 4C’s respectfully requests that the Planning and Development Committee delete the portion of House Bill 5405 that increases the assessed value for an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle from $500 to $2500. Additionally, if the Committee feels it necessary to raise the age of an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle from 20 to 30 years, then we request that consideration be given to allowing 20 to 30 year old antique, rare or special interest motor vehicles that currently have special number plates to continue to utilize them.

We continue to urge hobbyists to contact their legislator (particularly if they are members of the Planning and Development Committee - a list of committee members is included at the end of this E-mail) to indicate their opposition to these portions of House Bill 5405. (Should these issues adverse to the hobby continue to appear in the version of the bill that comes out of the Planning and Development Committee later this session, we will be asking you to contact your legislators again.)

Dave Bajumpaa

Connecticut Council of Car Clubs

Connecticut Joint Committee on Planning and Development

To e-mail all Committee members, copy and paste the email address block below:

Vincent.Candelora@housegop.ct.gov; christopher.davis@housegop.ct.gov; Mae.Flexer@cga.ct.gov; Mary.Fritz@cga.ct.gov; Noreen.Kokoruda@housegop.ct.gov; roland.lemar@cga.ct.gov; Elaine.OBrien@cga.ct.gov; jason.perillo@housegop.ct.gov; Lonnie.Reed@cga.ct.gov; Tom.Reynolds@cga.ct.gov; Matthew.Ritter@cga.ct.gov; Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov; Kim.Rose@cga.ct.gov; bill.simanski@housegop.ct.gov; richard.smith@housegop.ct.gov; steve.cassano@cga.ct.gov; Linda.Gentile@cga.ct.gov; Eric.Coleman@cga.ct.gov; Auden.Grogins@cga.ct.gov; Len.Fasano@cga.ct.gov; Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov

Senator Steve Cassano (Co-Chair)

Phone: 860-240-5302

Email: steve.cassano@cga.ct.gov

Representative Linda Gentile (Co-Chair)

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Linda.Gentile@cga.ct.gov

Senator Eric D. Coleman (Vice Chair)

Phone: 860-240-0528

Email: Eric.Coleman@cga.ct.gov

Representative Auden C. Grogins (Vice Chair)

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Auden.Grogins@cga.ct.gov

Senator Len Fasano

Phone: 800-842-1421

Email: Len.Fasano@cga.ct.gov

Representative Bill Aman

Phone: 800-842-1423

Email: Bill.Aman@cga.ct.gov

Representative Vincent Candelora

Phone: 800-842-1423

Email: Vincent.Candelora@housegop.ct.gov

Representative Christopher Davis

Phone: 800-842-1423

Email: christopher.davis@housegop.ct.gov

Representative Mae Flexer

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Mae.Flexer@cga.ct.gov

Representative Mary G. Fritz

Phone: 860-240-8500

Email: Mary.Fritz@cga.ct.gov

Representative Noreen Kokoruda

Phone: 800-842-1423

Email: Noreen.Kokoruda@housegop.ct.gov

Representative Roland Lemar

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: roland.lemar@cga.ct.gov

Representative Elaine O'Brien

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Elaine.OBrien@cga.ct.gov

Representative Jason Perillo

Phone: 800-842-1423

Email: jason.perillo@housegop.ct.gov

Representative Lonnie Reed

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Lonnie.Reed@cga.ct.gov

Representative Tom Reynolds

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Tom.Reynolds@cga.ct.gov

Representative Matt Ritter

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Matthew.Ritter@cga.ct.gov

Representative Jason Rojas

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Jason.Rojas@cga.ct.gov

Representative Kim Rose

Phone: 860-240-8585

Email: Kim.Rose@cga.ct.gov

Representative Bill Simanski

Phone: 800-842-1423

Email: bill.simanski@housegop.ct.gov

Representative Richard Smith

Phone: 800-842-1423

Email: richard.smith@housegop.ct.gov

-----

LCO No. 1688 {D:\Conversion\Tob\h\2012HB-05405-R00-HB.doc } 1 of 8

General Assembly Raised Bill No. 5405

February Session, 2012 LCO No. 1688

*01688_______PD_*

Referred to Committee on Planning and Development

Introduced by:

(PD)

AN ACT ESTABLISHING A STATE-WIDE MILL RATE FOR MOTOR

VEHICLES AND AMENDING THE DEFINITION OF ANTIQUE, RARE

OR SPECIAL INTEREST MOTOR VEHICLES.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General

Assembly convened:

1 Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2012, and applicable to assessment

2 years commencing on or after October 1, 2012) (a) For purposes of this

3 section:

4 (1) "Discrepancy amount" is equal to the difference of (A) the

5 amount of tax revenue actually collected under the state-wide mill rate

6 by a municipality with a local mill rate that is higher than the state7

wide mill rate, as certified to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and

8 Management pursuant to subsection © of this section, and (B) the

9 amount of tax revenue such municipality would have collected under

10 the local mill rate, assuming the same collection rate as the actual

11 collection rate, as certified to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and

12 Management pursuant to subsection © of this section;

13 (2) "State-wide mill rate" is the median of the local mill rates in all

14 municipalities of the state for the assessment year in which such stateRaised

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15 wide mill rate is calculated; and

16 (3) "Excess collection amount" is equal to the difference of (A) the

17 amount of tax revenue actually collected under the state-wide mill rate

18 by a municipality with a local mill rate that is lower than the state19

wide mill rate, as certified to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and

20 Management pursuant to subsection © of this section, and (B) the

21 amount of tax revenue such municipality would have collected under

22 the local mill rate, assuming the same collection rate as the actual

23 collection rate, as certified to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and

24 Management pursuant to subsection © of this section.

25 (B) On or before September 1, 2012, and each September first

26 thereafter, the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management shall

27 calculate the state-wide mill rate for the purpose of levying property

28 tax on motor vehicles subject to taxation under chapter 203 of the

29 general statutes. The secretary shall notify the assessors of each

30 municipality of the state-wide mill rate. For assessment years

31 commencing on or after October 1, 2012, the assessor of each

32 municipality shall calculate the amount of motor vehicle property tax

33 due from each taxpayer based on the state-wide mill rate determined

34 by said secretary.

35 © Effective for fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 2013, the

36 tax collector of each municipality shall collect the property tax with

37 respect to motor vehicles and, not later than the fifteenth day of

38 October, January, April and July, (1) remit any excess collection

39 amount realized in the preceding calendar quarter to the

40 Commissioner of Revenue Services for deposit into the motor vehicle

41 property tax account established under section 2 of this act, and (2)

42 certify to the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, on a

43 form prescribed by said secretary, the amount of tax revenue that such

44 municipality (A) would have collected in the preceding calendar

45 quarter with respect to the property tax on motor vehicles under

46 sections 12-71 and 12-71b of the general statutes except for the

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47 application of the state-wide mill rate calculated by said secretary

48 pursuant to this section, and (B) actually collected with respect to such

49 property tax in the preceding calendar quarter under the state-wide

50 mill rate, together with such supporting information as said secretary

51 shall require. For the purposes of calculating the amount a

52 municipality would have collected except for the application of the

53 state-wide mill rate, the tax collector shall assume that the municipality

54 would have realized the same tax collection rate as the actual tax

55 collection rate in the preceding calendar quarter. Such remittance and

56 certification shall be made in each calendar quarter commencing on

57 October 1, 2013, except that no such remittance or certification shall be

58 made for any calendar quarter after July 15, 2018.

59 (d) (1) Effective for fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 2013,

60 the secretary shall, not later than the first day of November, February,

61 May and August, calculate: (A) For each municipality with a mill rate

62 higher than the state-wide mill rate, the discrepancy amount for such

63 municipality in the preceding calendar quarter; and (B) for each

64 municipality with a mill rate lower than the state-wide mill rate, the

65 amount equal to five per cent of the tax revenue such municipality

66 would have collected in the preceding calendar quarter except for the

67 state-wide mill rate. Such calculations shall be based on the amounts

68 certified and any supporting information provided to said secretary

69 pursuant to subsection © of this section. Such calculations shall be

70 made in each calendar quarter commencing on November 1, 2013,

71 except that no such calculations shall be made after the calendar

72 quarter preceding August 1, 2018.

73 (2) Effective for fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 2013, the

74 secretary shall, not later than the first day of November, February, May

75 and August, certify to the Comptroller the motor vehicle property tax

76 payment due to each municipality as follows:

77 (A) For any municipality with a mill rate higher than the state-wide

78 mill rate: (i) For the period of time beginning November 1, 2013, and

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79 ending October 31, 2014, such municipality shall receive a quarterly

80 motor vehicle property tax payment equal to the discrepancy amounts

81 calculated by the secretary pursuant to subparagraph (A) of

82 subdivision (1) of this subsection for any tax revenue due under the

83 assessment year commencing October 1, 2012; (ii) for the period of

84 time beginning November 1, 2014, and ending October 31, 2015, such

85 municipality shall receive a quarterly motor vehicle property tax

86 payment equal to eighty per cent of the discrepancy amount calculated

87 by the secretary pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of

88 this subsection for any tax revenue due under the assessment year

89 commencing October 1, 2013; (iii) for the period of time beginning

90 November 1, 2015, and ending October 31, 2016, such municipality

91 shall receive a quarterly motor vehicle property tax payment equal to

92 sixty per cent of the discrepancy amount calculated by the secretary

93 pursuant to subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection for

94 any tax revenue due under the assessment year commencing October

95 1, 2014; (iv) for the period of time beginning November 1, 2016, and

96 ending October 31, 2017, such municipality shall receive a quarterly

97 motor vehicle property tax payment equal to forty per cent of the

98 discrepancy amount calculated by the secretary pursuant to

99 subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection for any tax

100 revenue due under the assessment year commencing October 1, 2015;

101 (v) for the period of time beginning November 1, 2017, and ending

102 October 31, 2018, such municipality shall receive a quarterly motor

103 vehicle property tax payment equal to twenty per cent of the

104 discrepancy amount calculated by the secretary pursuant to

105 subparagraph (A) of subdivision (1) of this subsection for any tax

106 revenue due under the assessment year commencing October 1, 2016.

107 (B) For any municipality with a mill rate that is lower than the state108

wide mill rate, for the period of time beginning November 1, 2013, and

109 ending October 31, 2018, any such municipality shall receive a

110 quarterly motor vehicle property tax payment equal to the amount

111 calculated by the secretary pursuant to subparagraph (B) of

112 subdivision (1) of this subsection.

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113 (3) Effective for fiscal years commencing on or after July 1, 2013, the

114 Comptroller shall draw an order on the Treasurer on or before the

115 fifteenth calendar day following November first, February first, May

116 first and August first, and the Treasurer shall pay the amount thereof

117 from the motor vehicle property tax account to such municipality on or

118 before the fifteenth calendar day following said dates.

119 (e) If there are any remaining funds in the motor vehicle property

120 tax account after the amount of the payments described in subsection

121 (d) of this section are calculated, such funds shall be carried over into

122 the following fiscal year. If there are any remaining funds in said

123 account on December 1, 2018, the secretary shall transfer such funds to

124 the General Fund.

125 Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective October 1, 2012, and applicable to assessment

126 years commencing on or after said date) There is established an account to

127 be known as the "motor vehicle property tax account" which shall be a

128 separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account

129 shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the

130 account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the State

131 Treasurer for the purposes of section 1 of this act.

132 Sec. 3. Subsection (B) of section 12-71 of the general statutes is

133 repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective

134 October 1, 2012, and applicable to assessment years commencing on or after

135 said date):

136 (B) Except as otherwise provided by the general statutes, property

137 subject to this section shall be valued at the same percentage of its then

138 actual valuation as the assessors have determined with respect to the

139 listing of real estate for the same year, except that any antique, rare or

140 special interest motor vehicle, as defined in section 14-1, shall be

141 assessed at a value of not more than two thousand five hundred

142 dollars. The owner of such antique, rare or special interest motor

143 vehicle may be required by the assessors to provide reasonable

144 documentation that such motor vehicle is an antique, rare or special

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145 interest motor vehicle, provided any motor vehicle for which special

146 number plates have been issued pursuant to section 14-20 shall not be

147 required to provide any such documentation. The provisions of this

148 section shall not include money or property actually invested in

149 merchandise or manufacturing carried on out of this state or

150 machinery or equipment which would be eligible for exemption under

151 subdivision (72) of section 12-81 once installed and which cannot begin

152 or which has not begun manufacturing, processing or fabricating; or

153 which is being used for research and development, including

154 experimental or laboratory research and development, design or

155 engineering directly related to manufacturing or being used for the

156 significant servicing, overhauling or rebuilding of machinery and

157 equipment for industrial use or the significant overhauling or

158 rebuilding of other products on a factory basis or being used for

159 measuring or testing or metal finishing or in the production of motion

160 pictures, video and sound recordings.

161 Sec. 4. Section 12-71d of the general statutes is repealed and the

162 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2012):

163 On or before the first day of October each year, the Secretary of the

164 Office of Policy and Management shall recommend a schedule of

165 motor vehicle values [which] that shall be used by assessors in each

166 municipality in determining the assessed value of motor vehicles for

167 purposes of property taxation. Such schedule shall include motor

168 vehicle values for motor vehicles up to thirty years old. For every

169 vehicle not listed in the schedule the determination of the assessed

170 value of any motor vehicle for purposes of the property tax assessment

171 list in any municipality shall continue to be the responsibility of the

172 assessor in such municipality, provided the legislative body of the

173 municipality may, by resolution, approve any change in the assessor's

174 method of valuing motor vehicles. Any appeal from the findings of

175 assessors concerning motor vehicle values shall be made in accordance

176 with provisions related to such appeals under this chapter. Such

177 schedule of values shall include, to the extent that information for such

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178 purpose is available, the value for assessment purposes of any motor

179 vehicle currently in use. [The value for each motor vehicle as listed

180 shall represent one hundred per cent of the average retail price

181 applicable to such motor vehicle in this state as of the first day of

182 October in such year as determined by said secretary in cooperation

183 with the Connecticut Association of Assessing Officers.] Said secretary

184 shall determine the value for each motor vehicle as listed, provided no

185 motor vehicle shall be assessed based on the fair market value

186 applicable to such motor vehicle.

187 Sec. 5. Subdivision (2) of section 14-1 of the 2012 supplement to the

188 general statutes, as amended by section 37 of public act 10-110 and

189 section 61 of public act 11-213, is repealed and the following is

190 substituted in lieu thereof (Effective October 1, 2012):

191 (2) "Antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle" means a motor

192 vehicle [twenty] thirty years old or older which is being preserved

193 because of historic interest and which is not altered or modified from

194 the original manufacturer's specifications;

195 Sec. 6. Section 12-122a of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective

196 October 1, 2012)

This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following

sections:

Section 1 July 1, 2012, and

applicable to assessment

years commencing on or

after October 1, 2012

New section

Sec. 2 October 1, 2012, and

applicable to assessment

years commencing on or

after said date

New section

Sec. 3 October 1, 2012, and

applicable to assessment

years commencing on or

after said date

12-71(B)

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Sec. 4 July 1, 2012 12-71d

Sec. 5 October 1, 2012 14-1(2)

Sec. 6 October 1, 2012 Repealer section

Statement of Purpose:

To simplify the motor vehicle taxation system, encourage the

registration of vehicles and narrow property tax benefits for antique

cars.

[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline,

except that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is

not underlined.]

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Steve,

you did a good job pasting it in. I also thought we should mention just how much money the stamp, doll, art, clock (and even match book, beer can) and any other collectors you think of spend for gasoline (heavy CT tax), repairs, parts (wax and polish) repairs and on in this state. If the car hobby shrinks in CT, which it will in my opinion, the state economy loses that business and the state government loses the tax on these good and services. I sense a need for perhaps a car rally in Hartford, if they persist.

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This is the second year for this legislation. Additional considerations, (although Dave does a great job of representing our collective interests in CT & Stock Steve keeps those of us on this forum up to speed) Of course I was angry when I first read this from Steve but the key is to calmly make the points above, and maybe these additional considerations:

Those cars in the 20 - 30 year old range are usually at or near the bottom of their value curve, with a long time to go if they do appreciate in value. Antique status encourages good examples to be saved for the future, and often represent an affordable way to get into the hobby.

Contrary to what some believe, most hobbyists are not wealthy and as has been pointed out, taxes are already being paid on "daily drivers" - this would be an especially difficult burden for older, retired hobbyists on a fixed income in a high tax state to begin with. It would be a shame to push them out of their hobby after they have already paid their share of taxes over the years while working.

I would also note that the same guy as last year is pushing this legislation, hopefully those hobbyists in his district remember that at election time - appears that despite meeting with him last year he is still intent on adding to the myriad of taxes CT people already have to contend with.

With spring comes the pre-scheduling for our many shows in CT, I would suggest perhaps those clubs that put out an annual mailer add a section to inform hobbyists about this, and leverage our shows to remind attendees who supports this and who does not. Unfortunately, with some representatives, no matter what reasons you present if they think their idea is better they will yes you to death, and go do what they want anyway. But they all seem to understand votes, it is time for us to act in CT, and if we can give a strong message that we will vote based on this issue, they just may get it.

Edited by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history)
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Well said Steve M. I think this is another venue were we might reach some car people in the state beyond those on thge 4c's list. This was killed last year, I think because of the combining with the common mill rate for cars throughout the state. And it may well die again, but who knows. I am not sure of the govenor and representatives logic other then to capture as much tax as possible, but I think they are just pushing to the breaking point.

John

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Thanks John (BTW I did not forget you, I have your book, see you soon!!).

Here is one other thought on this subject that may make sense to convey to your local representatives. Once a car in most any CT town hits 20 years old, if it has been in CT since day one, 99% of the time (possible exceptions could perhaps be exotics or a very few special interest cars) the property taxes paid in the course of 20 years equal or exceed the current value of the vehicle. Isn't that enough taxes on one vehicle???

Edited by Steve_Mack_CT (see edit history)
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It's too bad that Connecticut=TAXES, every which way you look. I grew up there in the '70's and '80's, but left due to high taxes and no jobs, even with a college degree! I feel your pain--the state forced just about every decent employer out, can provide no jobs for Gen-X-er's and beyond, and it makes up for it by high taxes. Would I live there if I could? You betcha! However, earning slightly above minimum wage in a high-priced area is NOT my idea of a good time. My two cents worth.

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Guest Jim_Edwards

Glad I don't live in CT. It's obvious they haven't figured out that such taxes on personal property is usually more costly to assess, collect, and enforce than the revenue it yields. Not real smart!

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Who said they "were smart". They are just not interested in the long term. I have no idea what they expect to have the future hold here in CT. And Steve, thanks for those other ideas for arguments as we write to our representatives.

We better get together for the book, before they figure out how to collect sales tax on it.

John

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One positive is an extremely busy short session; that said, the driver behind this is the never ending desire to reduce local control and revenue; so it does pay to follow up with your legislators if you live in CT. :)

John, book has your name on it, sir - looking forward to seeing you soon!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

this bill passed in committee late last week by a 10 - 9 margin. Moves assessment from $500 to $2,500 and antique status to 30 years; and sets a state mill rate for ALL vehicles, not just antiques. Bad bill in general, another piece of local control eroding in CT if this happens. NOW is the time to contact your legislators to oppose this bill.

Thanks

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  • 2 months later...

Good News (for the time being, anyway?!) on the Legislative Front (sorry so late posting this follow-up)...

A broadcast e-mail dated 5/10/2012 was received from D.A. Bajumpaa (DABajumpaa@aol.com) of the Connecticut Council of Car Clubs (CTccc.net - The Connecticut Council of Car Clubs), with a subject line of: “4C's Legislative Update: 2012 Legislative Session Ends with Good News!” The body of the e-mail read as follows:

“…Thanks to the efforts of Connecticut automotive hobbyists, I have good news to report as the 2012 Legislative Session has come to an end last night.

House Bill 5405, which proposed to introduce a state wide mill rate on all motor vehicles, raise the maximum property tax assessed value of an antique car from $500 to $2500, and increase the age of an antique car from 20 to 30 years is dead. The bill, which narrowly made it out of committee and was sitting on the House calendar for a vote, did not get voted on by the full House (or the Senate). As such, the maximum $500 assessed value on an antique, rare or special motor vehicle will remain in effect, and the minimum age for an antique, rare or special interest motor vehicle will remain at 20 years. That is very good news!

In other good news, House Bill 5164, which proposed to eliminate the use of year of manufacture plates along with many other items related to the Department of Motor Vehicles, was amended. The amendment deleted the section of the bill eliminating the use of Year of Manufacture Plates. The amended version of the bill passed both the House and the Senate and will be sent to the Governor for his signature. As such, the use of Year of Manufacture Plates will continue to be allowed in Connecticut. The fact that the Legislature was compelled to back off on the elimination of Year of Manufacture plates is directly attributable to the Connecticut automotive hobbyists contacting their legislators and voicing their opposition to the elimination. Great work to those of you who contacted their legislators! The amendment was offered by Representatives Guerrera and Scribner and Senators Maynard and Boucher. I understand Senator Bob Duff from Norwalk was instrumental in working behind the scenes to get the Amendment introduced. Thank you Senator Duff!...”

As always, we appreciate all the very important work that is done for us as antique auto hobbyists in our state, by the Connecticut Council of Car Clubs—please be sure to visit their web site for more information about the organization and their various projects: CTccc.net - The Connecticut Council of Car Clubs.

Thanks again 4-Cs for looking out for us--and let's all stay vigilant.

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