House Republican Press Release

January 8, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Hetherington Challenges Democrats to Support Proposed Estate Tax Relief

Rep. John Hetherington (R-125) has proposed legislation that would increase the Connecticut estate tax exemption from $2,000,000 to $4,000,000, and eliminate the so-called cliff effect that taxes an estate from the first dollar once the exemption is exceeded.

“We ought to kill the death tax entirely as most other states have done,” Hetherington said, “but if the majority of Democrats continue to refuse to do that, I offer this compromise. My proposal will help many families by raising the tax threshold and do away with the mean-spirit provision that taxes an estate back to dollar one when the tax threshold is crossed.”

Hetherington asked for bipartisan support throughout Fairfield County. “Fairfield County feels the negative impact of the estate tax most, so if you represent Fairfield County constituents, you should be behind this effort, Hetherington reportedly told colleagues. “I heard some Democrats say the right thing during the campaign, so let’s see if they do the right thing now.”

Representative Hetherington’s district includes most of New Canaan and portion of Wilton.