House Republican Press Release

June 16, 2008

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. STRIPP VOTES FOR GASOLINE RELIEF

"Property Tax Relief plan Defeated"

HARTFORD- Rep. John E. Stripp, R-Weston, 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. Stripp also voted for legislation to give motorists some relief at the gas pumps. However, he said, the legislature should have done more and should have considered an alternative budget proposal.

Rep. John Stripp 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.

Rep. Stripp supported a proposed plan that would have saved home sellers the $35 million, but also protected municipalities that have come to depend on the tax during the legislative special session.

‘The legislature voted to extend the real estate conveyance tax another two years without any exceptions. The big city liberals in Hartford are unwilling to compromise on legislation to provide tax relief to those who need it the most,” said Rep. Stripp.

Rep. Stripp 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
• Preserved the municipality portion of the real estate conveyance tax while cutting the amount the state receives. 

“People selling their homes at a loss should not have to pay an additional penalty of this real estate tax. Homeowners are suffering enough with a bad housing market, especially seniors who are forced to sell because their fixed incomes can’t keep up with local property taxes,” added Stripp.

Stripp 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 legislature is leaving here, knowing it will have to come back in the future and wreak havoc with potential future tax increases."

The Hartford liberals 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 
• $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.