Tom Warne Report, 26 March 2012
HARTFORD, Conn. – Republican lawmakers in Connecticut are proposing plans to take on high fuel prices with tax relief plans, just days after state Democratic legislators announced similar plans to cap the gross receipts tax on wholesale gas and other measures.
Meriden Republican Senator Len Suzio on Tuesday talked about his “2-for-2″ plan, which is designed to provide tax relief and savings for drivers at the gas pump. Suzio said he is proposing changes to the structure of the gross receipts tax and price cuts by 20 cents per gallon or more. He said his plan’s potential savings would vary based on the price of gas. Suzio is also proposing a permanent cap on this tax.
Meanwhile, Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams Jr., D-Brooklyn, and Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan, D-Meriden, intend to move forward with their proposal to institute emergency legislation to freeze the 7.1 percent gross receipts tax on wholesale gasoline sales at current levels for one year. The lawmakers say the 15 percent increase in gas prices since January also led them to propose fines of up to $10,000 for price gouging and to give Attorney General George Jepsen increased authority to pursue civil investigations.