House Republican Press Release

August 6, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Hovey Joins Call For Limiting Gas Tax In Special Session

State Rep. DebraLee Hovey (R-Monroe, Newtown) today joined with fellow legislators in calling for a special legislative session to cap the wholesale price of gasoline to limit ongoing hikes in state gasoline prices. The ‘hidden’ gross receipts tax is calculated on the wholesale price and increases as that price rises, said Rep. Hovey.

House and Senate Republicans are circulating a petition to call the legislature into session for the purpose of addressing the gasoline tax. On Friday, August 1, Governor M. Jodi Rell called for a special session to enact measures to provide energy relief for state residents and Rep. Hovey noted the gasoline tax cap could be passed during that same session.

“The number one issue I’ve heard about from people in Monroe and Newtown this year is the outrageous price of gas,” said Rep. Hovey. “Anything the Legislature can do to help people in this regard is a step in the right direction.”

Rep. Hovey also expressed support for Governor Rell’s call for heating assistance measures, which includes proposals to:

• Provide funding to Operation Fuel so it can offer home heating assistance to people with income greater than 200 percent of the federal poverty level, up to 100 percent of the state median income (this is targeted at middle income families who earn too much to receive State assistance but may need emergency help during the winter)
• Provide funding for home heating assistance to senior citizens
• Provide grants to municipalities for assistance in heating classrooms

“The cost of fuel is clearly going to hurt families this fall and winter,” said Rep. Hovey. “We have an opportunity to provide much-need assistance to middle income residents and senior toward their heating expenses and I look forward to seeing these proposals move forward during a special session. One can be sure I will be advocating for citizens of the 112^th District to receive their fair share of these assistance funds.”