House Republican Press Release

May 23, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

HOUSE DEMOCRATS BLOCK REPUBLICAN GAS TAX CUT

Republicans Vow to Keep up the Fight

To Provide Relief from Record High Gas Prices

House Democrats refused to cut gasoline prices by 25 cents per gallon today when they resorted to legislative shenanigans and blocked the Republicans’ proposed Gas Tax Holiday that would provide millions of motorists much needed relief at the pump.

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.

“This super majority is not in touch with the people of the state of Connecticut, as evidenced by their arrogance in refusing to grant relief at the pumps that Connecticut motorists are clamoring for,” said state Rep. John Piscopo (R-Thomaston). “Tax and spend is obviously the only language they speak on the other side of the aisle.”

“My constituents are suffering and struggling to pay these record-high gas prices just to get to work,” said state Rep. Anne Ruwet (R-Torrington. “I will continue to fight and get this Gas Tax Holiday passed to provide relief at the pump to the residents of Torrington.”   `

As soon as an amendment to cut the gas tax was added to a proposed bill, the Democratic leadership 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  

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.

“When the Democrats had the chance to finally do something for taxpayers and anyone who drives in Connecticut they said ‘No.’ The Democrats are now on record as saying they don’t care about lowering the price of gasoline, even if its just for three months,’’ House Republican Leader Larry Cafero said following the vote.

“Tax cut talk is cheap but gasoline is not. That’s why the Democrats should have voted to do for this immediate 25-cent per gallon tax cut,’’ Cafero added.