House Republican Press Release

May 15, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. RYAN: SUPPORTS GAS TAX HOLIDAY

“Suspends Gas Tax for Summer Months”

HARTFORD – State Rep. John J. Ryan (R-Darien, Rowayton) 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. Ryan.

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.

Rep. Ryan said, “It is absolutely absurd that we are overtaxing our citizens in excess of $900 million in this year alone, so why can't we do something about gas prices?”

“The vacation months between Memorial Day and Labor Day is the peak driving time for most families in Connecticut,” Representative Ryan said. “It also is the time of year when gasoline prices go through the roof. We already are paying among the highest gas prices in the country and if last summer was any indication, we can expect them to go up even more when school gets out and most families hit the road for their summer vacations.”

Connecticut motorists pay some of the highest gas prices in the country. 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. 

Governor M. Jodi Rell said the House Republican Gas Tax Holiday proposal has merit.