Special Session to Focus on Energy Issues
At some point, a special session will be called to deal with energy issues.
Democrats are supporting Gov. Rell’s plan to use the (still somewhat theoretical) $22 million surplus to fund heating oil relief programs. They also called today for a further $5 million in bonds to be issued to enhance the program (Rell’s spokesman says that’s already on the agenda).
Republicans, on the other hand, have another plan:
Republican lawmakers said they’re collecting signatures to hold a special session this summer to cap the wholesale price of gasoline that’s taxed by the state. They claim their plan could save motorists about 4 to 7 cents per gallon at the pump. (AP)
4 to 7 cents per gallon? …I could save 40 to 70 cents when I fill up my subcompact, or maybe an entire buck with a bigger car. That’s spare change I can believe in.
Anyway, tax cuts for tax cuts’ sake aside, it looks like some sort of heating assistance may be passed in a special session this summer, should the legislature actually meet. Apparently there’s still some back-and-forth about that:
And while Democrats seemed amenable to dedicating the $22.3 million projected state surplus to a fund that will help residents pay for home heating oil, Democratic leaders weren’t sure Tuesday that a special session would be necessary. (Stuart)
We’ll see soon enough. The will to get something done about heating assistance seems to be there. The gas tax cap? Maybe not so much.
Sources
“Lawmakers Debating Gas, Energy Prices Again.” Associated Press 22 July, 2008.
Stuart, Christine. “Republicans Want Gas Tax Cap Added to Session on Budget Surplus.” CT News Junkie 22 July 2008.