House Republican Press Release

May 23, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. HETHERINGTON CONDEMNS DEMOCRATS FOR BLOCKING GAS TAX CUT

“Republicans Vow to Fight on to Provide Relief from Record Setting Gas Prices”

HARTFORD – HARTFORD – State Rep. John Hetherington (R-New Canaan) today joined fellow House Republicans in submitting an amendment which would have permitted a Gas Tax Holiday from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

“When the Democrats had the chance to finally do something for taxpayers and anyone who drives in Connecticut they declined. They are now on record as saying they don’t care about lowering the price of gasoline, even if its just for three months,’’ Rep. John Hetherington, said following the vote.

As promised, House Republicans presented an amendment to impose a three-month Gas Tax Holiday for the peak summer driving season from Memorial Day to Labor Day. The 25 cents per gallon that the state charges would be rolled back to zero and save motorists a total of $120 million for the Holiday. Republicans proposed the plan May 14 and said it could easily be paid for out of the newly discovered $846 million budget surplus.

After calling the amendment, the Democratic “supermajority” immediately took the legislation off the floor of the House thereby preventing debate and sparing Democrats from casting a vote that will come back to haunt them  

Rep. Hetherington added, “This is not about encouraging people to drive their cars. People need to drive their cars. The issue is whether we will give them some relief from record prices.”

No transportation programs would be affected and the lost revenue that is used to back highway construction bonds would simply be replaced by the surplus money. Governor M. Jodi Rell also supported the idea. She has repeatedly said that if the legislature does not go along, she and her fellow Republicans will use gas tax proposal in the budget negotiations that have just begun.