House Republican Press Release

January 9, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Letter to the Editor

To the Editor:

Your recent editorial concerning electric utility rates was excellent. Connecticut consumers have a right to expect their government to respond promptly to the exorbitant increases.

One option we have to gain immediate results is to cut the utilities gross receipts tax. The revenue from this tax, which impacts consumers directly, has swelled with the cost of energy. In addition, businesses pass-along the tax cost in the price of their goods and services, thereby further increasing the burden on residential customers. The overall savings to residential customers from a tax cut would amount to many millions of dollars.

While individual savings might not be huge, the savings would be real and a good first step.

John W. Hetherington

State Representative - 125th District