Napoli Jr. Successful in Opposition to Meals Tax

October 1, 2019

After weeks of momentum, the overly expansive interpretation of meals by the Department of Revenue Services (DRS) has been reversed. Starting today, only items currently taxed as meals such as what you would have in a restaurant will have a 1% increase.

“The Department of Revenue Services has the ability to make this right. If they don’t, then the legislature should,” said State Rep. Ron Napoli Jr. during last month’s successful push to rescind the DRS guidelines.

When Rep. Napoli Jr. joined 89 House Democrats that signed a letter sent to Governor Lamont urging him and DRS Commissioner Jackson to reconsider the updated regulations, the administration was quick to respond and resolve the issue.

Click here to read the revised DRS guidelines.

Now, this balanced budget will function as it intended, providing financial relief to our seniors, students, and veterans, all the while saving for the future, making necessary cuts, and preserving services that are vital to Connecticut’s working families.


Read Rep. Napoli Jr.’s full Sept. 17 statement below:

I believe the budget we passed in June was fair and balanced. The recent adjustments made to DRS definitions are something we couldn’t have accounted for at the time, are far too broad in scope, and must be amended. These updated guidelines have undone the good efforts both parties have made towards transparency and trust, which is why they need to be changed.

If implemented on October 1, these new taxes will have a negative impact on working families in the 73rd District. These are people who work tirelessly to make ends meet.

The Department of Revenue Services has the ability to make this right. If they don't, then the legislature should.