HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) Connecticut Gov. Dannel P. Malloy says he will propose reducing the state sales tax.

Malloy spoke Sunday in an interview on WFSB-TV's ``Face the State.''

Malloy said he is proposing reducing the 6.35 percent tax to 6.2 percent this year, then dropping it to 5.95 percent by 2017.

The governor said the first reduction would come around Nov. 1 if it is approved by the legislature. That would be the lowest sales tax since 1971.

Malloy said the proposal is a way to give some relief to the middle class as the economy improves. The governor also said he would do away with some exemptions to lower sales taxes across the board.

Malloy plans to discuss his proposal Monday with businesses in Middletown. He said his formal budget proposal Wednesday will include the tax cut.