Senate Bill Two: Boosting Local Economies

0:00It's April 5th. This is Hartford News Today, AI-powered stories from your city. I'm Cory with the Story. Groups like the Connecticut Conference of Municipalities and the Restaurant and Hospitality Association are pushing Senate Bill 2. It would split the 1% surcharge on restaurant meals taxes right down the middle, half back to the towns where the money's made, and half too. The State's Tourism Fund, they say this boosts local economies and eases the load on property taxes, which fund most town budgets. In fiscal year 2025, that surcharge pulled in $353,000 in Bloomfield, 819,000 in Farmington, and 3.3 million in West Hartford. Townsland hard on property taxes for at least 80% of their cash in many spots, leaving little wiggle room as cost climb. Leaders from restaurants and city halls are all in, calling it a win for tourism promotion and small businesses. They argue it ties restaurant success to state investments, helping places like hotels

1:02and eateries thrive, while towns invest in roads, safety, and schools without jacking up local taxes. Back in 2019, lawmakers added the surcharge, but funneled the cash to the general fund instead of sharing it. Now the state plans 4.5 million for tourism in fiscal year 2026, but advocates say that's peanuts compared to neighbors. The joint committee on finance, revenue, and bonding just greenlit the bill. Picture Hartford hosting an NCAA tournament round, crowds flock in, food sales boom, but the city eats the massive bill with zero cut of the taxes. Senate bill 2 flips that script, fueling local growth and keeping businesses buzzing