House Republican Press Release

August 22, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. HETHERINGTON CALLS SPECIAL SESSION A MISSED OPPORTUNITY

HARTFORD – State Representative John Hetherington (R-125^th) dismissed the results of the special session of the General Assembly on August 22 as a missed opportunity to assist Connecticut citizens with heating costs this winter.

“We had the chance to pass specific proposals offering people real help, but the majority Democrats voted them down,” Hetherington said. “Instead, we mainly created a slush fund of some $35 million to be distributed through an unbelievably convoluted process that will take months to complete. I guess the majority is counting on climate change to keep people warm.”

The Democrats also defeated a Republican effort to debate capping the gross receipts tax that rises with the wholesale price of gasoline.

“Finally,” the New Canaan Republican added, “The majority voted not to correct an acknowledged drafting error in their own bill that has the potential to cost customers a surcharge on small deliveries of oil.” 

The special session adjourned about 1 AM on Saturday, August 23.

Rep. Hetherington represents most of New Canaan and a part of Wilton.