House Republican Press Release

May 15, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. ROWE: STATE  SHOULD ENACT GAS TAX MORATORIUM

HARTFORD – On Monday, May 14, State Rep. T.R. Rowe, R-Trumbull, joined fellow House Republican leaders in calling for a Memorial Day to Labor Day moratorium on the state gasoline tax for the summer peak driving season to give motorists relief at the pumps. Given the state’s higher revenue projections released last week and increasing impact of gas prices on consumers, Connecticut should stop collecting the 25 cents per gallon now levied for the summer driving season, said Rep. Rowe.

It is estimated that the tax cuts would save drivers about $40 million per month, or a little more than $120 million for the duration of the summer driving period. Last week, the non-partisan Office of Fiscal Analysis revised revenue projections to show that Connecticut now has a surplus this year of $846 million, which would easily cover the lost revenue. The gas tax moratorium would not divert any funds from any transportation program. The Legislature has until June 6 to finalize the two-year budget.

“This is not a cure all measure but the Legislature has failed to provide any meaningful relief to the  increases in energy costs we are all paying,” said Rep. Rowe. “Saving the consumers 25 cents for every gallon of gasoline they purchase this summer is a good step toward providing some relief. With a surplus of nearly $850 million, this is something the state can afford.”

Connecticut motorists pay some of the highest gas prices in the country, added Rep. Rowe. Connecticut’s combined state and federal taxes of more than 55 cents per gallon are third highest in the country, behind only California and New York.