6/19/08-Gov. M. Jodi Rell put her signature on a bill Tuesday, June 17, to offer consumers a break from high fuel prices.
The new law, previously SB1000, stops a scheduled fuel tax hike. It also allows more fuel stations to offer cash discounts.
More fuel stations throughout the state now are allowed to offer cash discounts. The discount overrides franchise agreements between oil companies and fuel stations, thus allowing retailers to offer discounts to customers who pay cash to fill up.
Discontent from consumers led lawmakers to scrap the scheduled July 1 increase in the state’s tax on wholesale earnings from fuel sales. The tax was slated to increase from 7 percent to 7.5 percent.
The tax increase was expected to raise $25 million in revenue for transportation projects in the state while adding 7.7 cents per gallon to the price of diesel at the pump. Gas would have increased up to 5 cents per gallon.
The next scheduled increase in the gross earnings tax is July 1, 2013. The tax rate is set to be raised to 8.1 percent.

6/12/08-The General Assembly endorsed legislation Thursday, June 12, to offer consumers a break from high fuel prices.
Wrapping up a one-day special session, the House voted during the wee hours of Thursday morning to stop a scheduled fuel tax hike. The vote cleared the way for the bill – SB1000 – to advance to Gov. M. Jodi Rell for her signature.
Also included in the bill is a provision that would allow more fuel stations to offer cash discounts. The cash discount would override franchise agreements between oil companies and fuel stations, thus allowing retailers to offer discounts to customers who pay cash to fill up.
Discontent from consumers led lawmakers to scrap the scheduled July 1 increase in the state’s tax on wholesale earnings from fuel sales. The tax was slated to increase from 7 percent to 7.5 percent.
The tax increase was expected to raise $25 million in revenue for transportation projects in the state while adding 7.7 cents per gallon to the price of diesel at the pump. Gas would have increased by 3 to 4 cents.
The state’s per-gallon taxes would not have been affected.
The next scheduled increase in the gross earnings tax is July 1, 2013. The tax rate is set to be raised to 8.1 percent.
For bill status, call (860) 240-0555.

6/11/08-The General Assembly is meeting in special session Wednesday, June 11, to discuss a handful of hot topics. Fuel initiatives are expected to dominate discussion.
House and Senate lawmakers are expected to decide whether to allow more fuel stations to offer cash discounts and delay a scheduled fuel tax hike.
The cash discount effort would override franchise agreements between oil companies and fuel stations, thus allowing retailers to offer discounts to customers who pay cash to fill up.
Connecticut Attorney General Richard Blumenthal has given the all-clear for lawmakers to adopt the change. At the request of Gov. M. Jodi Rell, he released a legal opinion on the topic and there’s no federal law that would prevent the state from approving the cash discounts.
Also on the agenda for consideration Wednesday is a plan to scrap a scheduled July 1 increase in the state’s tax on wholesale earnings from fuel sales. The tax is slated to increase from 7 percent to 7.5 percent.
The tax increase is expected to raise $25 million in revenue for transportation projects in the state while adding 7.7 cents per gallon to the price of diesel at the pump. Gas would increase by 3 to 4 cents.
The state’s per-gallon taxes would not be affected.