House Republican Press Release

June 12, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Adinolfi Votes for Gasoline Tax Relief

HARTFORD- Representative Al Adinolfi (R-Cheshire) has strongly supported and voted for legislation to give motorists some relief at the gas pumps. However, he said, the legislature should have done more and should have considered an alternative budget proposal.

Adinolfi voted for legislation that was adopted with bipartisan support to:

• block a scheduled July 1 increase in gasoline and diesel taxes,
• allow a cash discount by all gasoline retailers and
• make low-income people eligible for free, fuel-efficient heating systems.

Stopping the gas tax increase was first proposed on April 28 in an alternative budget supported by Rep. Adinolfi and again May 20 in a separate budget proposal. The legislative majority, while agreeing to halt a gas tax increase, failed to adopt other elements in the alternative budget, or even to allow it come up for debate.

“It’s about time the legislative Democrats came around on the issue of the scheduled gas tax increase,” said Adinolfi. “But avoiding a tax increase doesn’t do anything about the prices we are all paying now at the pumps.  We could have done much more to give relief to taxpayers and make more of a difference during this economic slowdown.  High gas prices are making a real difference in the way people are living their lives.  Families are feeling the crunch.”

Budget Alternative Proposed

Adinolfi said the legislative majority failed to act on a significant and growing deficit facing the state. Republicans again were blocked in attempting to bring up a budget alternative.

The Democrats again voted to not even consider the Republican alternative budget that would have saved $155 million in payroll through an Early Retirement Incentive Program that restored critical spending cuts: 

· $20 million for the Early Reading Success program for 15 towns an cities;

· $2 million for added security at battered women shelters;

· $27 million more struggling nursing homes and other service providers.

· Elimination of the state’s take from the real estate tax without costing towns and cities any loss ion revenue.

Rep. Adinolfi is a member of the legislature’s budget-writing Appropriations Committee. He serves the 103^rd Assembly District which includes parts of Cheshire, Wallingford and Hamden.