House Republican Press Release

June 12, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

Rep. Klarides Votes for Gasoline Tax Relief

Opposes $35 million tax on home sales that was extended for two years

HARTFORD- Deputy House Republican Leader Themis Klarides (R-Derby) has strongly supported and voted for legislation to give motorists some relief at the gas pumps. However, she said, the legislature should have done more and should have considered an alternative budget proposal.

Klarides voted for legislation that was adopted with bipartisan support to:

• block a scheduled July 1 increase in gasoline and diesel taxes,
• allow a cash discount by all gasoline retailers and
• make low-income people eligible for free, fuel-efficient heating systems.

Stopping the gas tax increase was first proposed on April 28 in an alternative budget supported by Rep. Klarides and again on May 20 in a separate budget proposal. The legislative majority, while agreeing to halt a gas tax increase, failed to adopt other elements in the alternative budget, or even to allow it  to come up for debate.

“It’s good news for everyone that Democrats finally decided they couldn’t stand by and do nothing while another scheduled gas tax increase took place,” said Klarides.  “Preventing a new tax increase is one thing.  It’s another to actually provide relief from the high gas prices we are all suffering under.  Unfortunately, the majority doesn’t seem very interested in providing meaningful relief during this economic slowdown.”

Conveyance Tax Opposed

Klarides also opposed legislation that was adopted to extend for two years a $35 million tax on home sales that was scheduled to expire on July 1. Klarides had supported a plan that would have saved home sellers the $35 million, but also protected municipalities that have come to depend on the tax.

“Any tax increase while the economy is slow is bad policy,” said Klarides.  “People need tax relief now, not tax increases.”

Klarides proposed and supported amendments that would have exempted from the extended home sales tax:

• People who are selling their homes at a loss

• Senior citizens who are selling their homes
• Veterans who are selling their homes

Budget Alternative Proposed

Klarides said the legislative majority failed to act on a significant and growing deficit facing the state. Republicans again were blocked in attempting to bring up a budget alternative.

The Democrats again voted to not even consider the Republican alternative budget that would have saved $155 million in payroll through an Early Retirement Incentive Program that restored critical spending cuts: 

· $20 million for the Early Reading Success program for 15 towns and cities;

· $2 million for added security at battered women shelters;

· $27 million more struggling nursing homes and other service providers.

· Elimination of the state’s take from the real estate tax without costing towns and cities any loss in revenue.

Rep. Klarides is the Deputy House Republican Leader representing the 114^th Assembly District which includes Woodbridge, Orange and Derby.