It took Vernon Town Council member Thomas DiDio about 2.7 seconds to click on his microphone when the town's state legislative contingent was introduced on Tuesday.
He introduced the topic everyone wanted to.
To paraphrase, it was:
The car tax - what's the issue?
State Sen. Tony Guglielmo turned to his mic almost as quickly.
"I opposed it when Gov. Rell proposed it and I am opposed to it now," Guglielmo said. "It does not make much sense to me. It's going to affect the towns - especially the smaller ones - in my district."
Guglielmo, state Rep. Claire Janowski and state Rep. Timothy Ackert came to Tuesday's council meeting to discuss all things Connecticut. But a discussion over eliminating the tax for most motor vehicles is projected to affect the local budget by 10 percent, so it came first.
"It will shift right to the property owners and businesses," Guglielmo said.
Janowski said that shift could be more like a punch.
"It's going to hit businesses and businesses do not increase in value like homes do," she said. "But the burden on the homeowner is a burden on the individual and it ewill hit the homeowner."
Ackert and Janowski said the motor vehicle tax as we know it could take on a new form.
"What I would keep my eyes on is a concern over a state tax on cars, where money would be paid back to the towns," Ackert said, alluding to another discussion on the state level.
Janowski said such a plan would have a "minimal impact" on the amounts of taxes paid by the individual.
Gugliemo said of the proposed elimination, "I just hope it goes away like last time."
He added, "The governor started this by calling it a 'discussion.' Well I hope he's had enough of a discussion."
