Corey Proposed Six-Month Fuel Tax Suspension

The lieutenant governor candidate requested a break on state gas and diesel taxes to offset rising fuel prices.

Updated on Sept. 29, 2026 in Oil and Gas

Isometric editorial illustration of a fuel dispensing nozzle and hose, rendered in flat oxblood and slate blue tones. — Connecticut lieutenant governor candidate Matt Corey has proposed a six-month suspension of state fuel taxes to address rising energy costs for residents. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Should states temporarily suspend fuel taxes to help residents cope with rising prices?

Lieutenant governor candidate Matt Corey has called for a six-month suspension of Connecticut fuel taxes to help families manage rising costs. He cited the ongoing war with Iran as a primary driver behind the current increase in fuel prices.

Why it matters

The proposal aims to provide immediate financial relief to Connecticut residents facing higher energy costs. However, the suspension is expected to threaten the stability of funding for essential state infrastructure upgrades.

Connecticut currently levies a 25-cent tax on gasoline and a nearly 50-cent tax on diesel per gallon. This proposed six-month suspension contrasts with the one-month gas tax holiday previously suggested by Governor Ned Lamont.

The players

Matt Corey

He is a candidate for lieutenant governor in Connecticut.

Ned Lamont

He serves as the Governor of Connecticut and previously proposed a shorter fuel tax holiday.

The details

Corey announced the request for a six-month reprieve on fuel taxes via a social media post during the weekend preceding September 29, 2026. He expressed a belief that the conflict in Iran would conclude shortly, potentially stabilizing the global market.

The state previously implemented a gas tax holiday in 2022.
The candidate first proposed the fuel tax suspension during the weekend prior to September 29, 2026.
Candidate Matt Corey and Governor Ned Lamont discussed the status of fuel taxes on September 29, 2026.

Market Landscape

This proposal tests the tension between immediate consumer relief and the long-term fiscal requirements for state infrastructure. It reflects a recurring political debate over how tax revenue is balanced against the budgetary needs of government projects.

A six-month tax suspension could lower fuel prices for drivers at the pump across the state. However, residents should monitor potential impacts on road construction timelines and local infrastructure projects that rely on these specific tax funds.

The takeaway

Proposals for tax holidays often seek to provide immediate relief during periods of high geopolitical tension. Readers should weigh the short-term benefits of lower pump prices against the long-term necessity of state infrastructure maintenance.