House Republican Press Release

June 12, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Marilyn Giuliano Votes for Gasoline Relief

Opposes $35 million tax on home sales that was extended for two years

Rep. Marilyn Giuliano, R-Old Saybrook, has strongly supported and voted for legislation to give motorists some relief at the gas pumps. However, she said, the legislature should have done more and should have considered an alternative budget proposal.

Rep Giuliano 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 to be offered 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 co-sponsored by Rep. Giuliano 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.

 “We are glad that the legislative majority finally decided to do something about the gas tax increase,” said Rep. Giuliano, “but we could have provided more relief to taxpayers and could have addressed the state’s economic and revenue slowdown more quickly.”

“People are hurting and struggling across the state,” he added. “We know that gas prices are seriously impacting family budgets.”

“We are here, knowing the state budget as it exists today is in significant deficit,” Rep. Giuliano said. “People are looking for leadership and asking, ‘What can we do?’

Rep. Giuliano added, “Difficult as things are, there is another way we can proceed on the budget that provides more relief and faces up to the growing budget deficit.”

Conveyance Tax Opposed

Separately, Rep. Giuliano opposed legislation that was adopted to extend for two years a $35 million tax on home sales that was scheduled to expire on July 1. Rep. Giuliano had proposed a plan that would have saved home sellers the $35 million, but also protected municipalities that have come to depend on the tax.

“This is the wrong time to raise taxes,” said Rep. Giuliano. “People are hurting when it comes to buying gasoline and trying to sell their homes. It is unconscionable to add to their misery by increasing state taxes on fuel and on home sales.”

Rep. Giuliano proposed and supported amendments that would have exempted from the extended home sales tax:

• People who are selling their homes at a loss

• Senior citizens who are selling their homes
• Veterans who are selling their homes

Rep. Giuliano serves the 23rd Assembly District of Old Lyme, Lyme, Old Saybrook and Westbrook in the state House of Representatives.