Archive for May 2007

Candelora: Democrats Refuse Gas Tax Relief

by Michael Downes
May 23rd, 2007

Legislative Majority Blocks Efforts to Suspend State Gas Tax

 HARTFORD- Preferring to delay a bill that supports law enforcement officials in the discharge of their duties, majority Democrats engaged in procedural cowardice to escape a vote on an amendment by House Republicans to suspend the state’s 25 cent gas tax from Memorial Day, May 28th, until Labor Day, September 3rd, 2007, creating a one-time gas tax holiday according to Representative Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford).  The measure would have saved Connecticut motorists $120 million.

“House Democrats are basically telling Connecticut motorists that they don’t believe they deserve to save between $3 and $5 per fill up during the busiest driving season, despite the fact that Connecticut’s gas tax burden is the third-highest in the nation, and despite having nearly $900 million in surplus funds this year,” said Candelora. 

When the GOP amendment was brought out, Democratic Majority Leader Chris Donovan immediately moved to pass the bill temporarily or “PT” it.  This procedure temporarily skips an item on the agenda, and it can be brought up again at a later time.

“The Democrats demonstrated poor leadership by refusing to allow a vote on this issue,” said Candelora.  “The people of Connecticut deserve an answer from the Democrats as to why they believe we shouldn’t get this relief at the pumps.”

No transportation programs would be affected under the proposal and the lost revenue that is used to back highway construction bonds would simply be replaced by the surplus money.

Governor M. Jodi Rell has gone on the record in support of the idea. She has repeatedly said that if the legislature does not go along, she and her fellow Republicans will attempt to make the gas tax proposal a part of the budget negotiations that have just begun.

This session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourns at midnight June 6th, 2007.

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Sawyer & House GOP Propose Gas Tax Holiday – Proposal Would Offer Relief from Gas Tax for Summer Months

by admin
May 23rd, 2007

HARTFORD- With retail gasoline prices spiraling out of control, House Republicans are proposing to offer temporary relief from Connecticut’s high gasoline tax for Connecticut motorists. House Republican Whip Pam Sawyer (R-55) joined House Republican Leader Larry Cafero (R- Norwalk) as he called for the state gas tax to be repealed this year between from Memorial Day, May 28th, until Labor Day, September 3rd, 2007, creating a summertime gas tax holiday.

“Connecticut’s gas prices are jumping up radically, and now rank seventh highest in the nation among all the states. Our combined federal and state gas taxes are the third highest in the nation,” said Sawyer. “As we head into the summer months, and families begin planning their vacations, Connecticut motorists ought to get the relief we are proposing.”

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 of $846 this year, easily covering the lost revenue to the state.

Sawyer said that a temporary repeal of state taxes would create important savings for motorists. Connecticut’s gasoline tax is 25 cents per gallon, while the federal gasoline tax is 18.4 cents per gallon.

With a suspended gas tax, the driver of a compact car with a 13.2 gallon tank would save about $3.30 on every fill-up. The driver of a large vehicle with a 22.5 gallon tank would save $5.63 when they fill their tank.

Governor M. Jodi Rell quickly embraced the proposal, and indicated that she supported it becoming a part of budget negotiations which are currently ongoing.

Sawyer noted that the Gas Tax Holiday would not take funds away from any current or future programs, nor would it impact the Special Transportation Fund used to pay for road and bridge projects and upkeep.

This session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourns at midnight June 6th, 2007.

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Candelora, House GOP Propose Gas Tax Holiday

by Michael Downes
May 16th, 2007

Proposal to Offer Relief from Gas Tax for Summer Months

 

HARTFORD- With retail gasoline prices jumping within the past few weeks, House Republicans are proposing to offer temporary relief from Connecticut’s high gasoline tax for Connecticut motorists.  State Representative Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford) joined House Republican Leader Larry Cafero (R- Norwalk) as he called for the state gas tax to be repealed this year between from Memorial Day, May 28th, until Labor Day, September 3rd, 2007, creating a one-time gas tax holiday. 

 

“Connecticut’s gas prices are among the highest in the nation,” said Representative Candelora.  “With a surplus approaching $900 million, there is really no excuse for not giving back money to state motorists who are clearly overtaxed.  As the summer months approach, and gas prices climb, Connecticut residents need this relief.”

 

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 of $846 this year, easily covering the lost revenue to the state. 

 

Candelora said that a temporary repeal of state taxes would create important savings for motorists.  Connecticut’s gasoline tax is 25 cents per gallon, while the federal gasoline tax is 18.4 cents per gallon. 

With a suspended gas tax, the driver of a compact car with a 13.2 gallon tank would save about $3.30 on every fill-up.  The driver of an SUV with a 22.5 gallon tank would save $5.63 when they fill their tank. 

 

“The House Republicans based their ‘No Tax Increase’ budget in April on lower surplus figures,” said Candelora.  “The gas tax holiday doesn’t take funds away from any current or future programs, and it doesn’t take any money away from the Special Transportation Fund used to pay for road and bridge projects and upkeep.”

 

This session of the Connecticut General Assembly adjourns at midnight June 6th, 2007.

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Candelora: Q Poll Shows Support for GOP ‘No Tax Increase’ Budget

by Michael Downes
May 10th, 2007

HARTFORD –Quinnipiac University has released a new “Q Poll” this morning, showing that the House Republican “No Tax Increase’’ budget is overwhelmingly favored by state residents compared to either Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s proposal or the Democrats’ tax and spending plan.

 

“Connecticut residents are not fooled by the Democrats’ budget shell game,” said Representative Vincent Candelora (R-North Branford).  “Their claim that they are cutting taxes for 90% of residents is transparent to taxpayers, who realize that they are increasing spending over $2 billion and increasing sales and service taxes to make up what they lose on the income tax.”

 

The Republican “No Tax Increase” budget drew the most support among respondents with 41 percent saying they favored it. The Democratic proposal to increase spending by a whopping $2.1 billion received only 33 percent of those who responded, and the Governor’s across-the-board tax increase of 10 percent to pay for her education plan was supported by just 16 percent of respondents.

 

The poll also confirms what Republicans have said – Connecticut residents do not support the Democrats’ plan to increase taxes on everything from clothing, to Internet sales and the price of a funeral.

 

Candelora noted that according to the Tax Foundation, Tax Freedom Day, the day taxpayers stop paying their taxes and begin to keep what they earn, is May 20th this year in Connecticut; the latest of all states.  This means on average, Connecticut residents work 140 days out of the year just to meet their tax burden.

 

“I find this Q Poll very encouraging,” said Candelora.  “I have every faith that this data will help as we go into negotiations with the Governor and legislative Democrats to craft a final budget product.”

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House Passes Handicapped Parking Space Abuse Bill

by admin
May 1st, 2007

HARTFORD –House Republican Whip Pamela Z. Sawyer (R-Bolton) today voted in favor of a measure that increases the penalty for violations of state law concerning the use of parking spaces that are designated for handicapped people. Sawyer spoke on the floor of the House this afternoon in favor of the measure.

“Having had the necessity of having to briefly use a temporary handicapped parking permit opened my eyes to the abuse of this law,” said Sawyer, referring to a recent injury that caused her to need such a permit for a brief time. “When I would go to the grocery store, needing easy access from the parking lot, I would see people pull into clearly marked handicapped spots to run into the store briefly. This experience made me keenly aware of how those who need these permits permanently must struggle with the constant abuse that takes place.”

Sawyer introduced similar legislation this session, which was combined with other bills into this bill in the legislature’s Judiciary Committee.

The violations of handicapped parking laws that the bill increases fines for include parking in a handicapped space, unauthorized display of special license plates or placards issued to a disabled person, failure to return a plate or placard when required to do so by the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, and failure to provide designated spaces for handicapped persons that the law requires.

Under current state law, a violation is an infraction and results in a fine of not less than $85. The bill passed today ceases to designate violation as an infraction, and increases the fine to $150 for a first violation and $250 for a subsequent violation. These fines are to be paid to the Centralized Infractions Bureau. A court appearance is not necessary if the violator chooses to mail in the fine.

“I wish we didn’t have to fine people, but this may be what it takes to make them more sensitive,” said Sawyer.

The bill will now head to the Senate for action there. This session of the Connecticut General Assembly will conclude at midnight, June 6th, 2007.

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