House Republican Press Release

April 28, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Kalinowski Votes in Favor of Gold Star Plate Bill

HARTFORD- State Representative Ray Kalinowski (R-100) today voted in favor of legislation that eliminates the fee for the Gold Star Family license plate, which the legislature authorized in 2007 for immediate relatives of state residents killed in action while performing active military duty with the U. S. Armed Forces.

Kalinowski, a U.S. Air Force veteran, noted that current law requires the Department of Motor Vehicles to charge a fee to cover the cost of making the plates, in addition to the normal registration fee. The current plate fee is $ 10.

Kalinowski also voted in favor of the bill when it came before the Veterans’ Affairs Committee, of which he is a member.

“This measure isn’t about the small amount of money that it saves the applicant,” said Kalinowski.  “It’s about extending respect to the people who have earned this plate.  I am very happy that we do not issue very many of these plates and that they are a rarity, seeing as they represent such sacrifice and loss.  But those who have lost family members in service to our nation deserve every extension of respect we can afford them.”

It is estimated that the measure would have a fiscal impact of less than $1,000.

The bill, HB 5044, had passed the Transportation and Veterans’ Affairs Committees unanimously and also passed the House this afternoon 134-0.  It now heads to the State Senate for action there.

The 2008 session of the Connecticut General Assembly is scheduled to adjourn at midnight on Wednesday, May 7^th.