Winsley: Suspend the Gas Tax Now!

Wayne Winsley for Congress

Connecticut’s Third Congressional District

MEDIA RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Suspend Gas Taxes Now

NAUGATUCK, CONN – September 12: Wayne Winsley, committed to effectively represent all the people of Connecticut’s 3rd U.S. Congressional District and to restore the Public Trust, today released the following statement:

“Whether a person has a full-time job that they must commute to; or, a person is out of work but actively seeking a job; or, commuting to a part-time job; or, commuting to school; or, going to the grocery store to purchase food for their family – we need gasoline in the tank.  That’s the reality.  
Here’s another part of our reality: ‘Putting gas in the tank costs money’.  In Connecticut, gasoline costs are way too high.  
Why is every one of us paying excessively high ‘Gas Prices at the Pump’ here in Connecticut?  Here are some facts:

• The fact is every gallon of gas costs much more today than it did when President Obama took office.
• The fact that Mr. Obama blocks expanded drilling is another.
• The dollar’s devaluation internationally is another.
• The dollar’s decreasing purchasing power domestically is yet another.

Each of these facts-among others-are part of the ‘per gallon cost’ problem each of us faces every time ‘at the pump’.
“But, an overriding factor is the ineffective representation by incumbents among the CT Delegation to Washington  - as well as State Legislative majority in Hartford, who persistently have put their own ‘tax collecting interests’ and ongoing ‘politics-as-usual’ ahead of all of the people’s interests.  Such practices cannot be permitted to continue.”

“It’s Time to Change.  It’s Time to Lead.  It’s Time to Act.  It’s Time to Suspend Gas Taxes!”

Today, I call on every incumbent/challenger for the US Congress to join me in Suspending the Federal Gas Tax.                 I am calling for a full suspension of the $18.4 cents per gallon Federal Gas Tax effective October 1, 2012.                              We do not need to wait for January.  In fact, we must not wait. We must take action now ‘for the people’.

Further, in the spirit of Restoring America’s Promise, I cordially invite every current Federal Incumbent/Challenger to join me; and, I am extending my hand to each current CT Federal Incumbent (Blumenthal, Lieberman, Courtney, DeLauro, Himes, Larson and Murphy) as well as each CT Federal Challenger (Decker, Estey, Formica, McMahon, Obsitnick, Rorabach, among others).

In addition, I call on every incumbent/challenger for the State Legislature to join me in Suspending the CT State Gas Tax.

Obama's 9-9-9 Gas Plan

Many years ago voters rejected Republican presidential hopeful Steve Forbes' interesting 10% tax plan that proposed to do just that- tax every American ten percent of what they earn.  Years later, another presidential GOP contender Herman Cain proposed a tax plan that suggested, like Forbes' plan, controversial things such as: clarity, consistency, and common sense. Imagine if the government took out 10% every check and then when April rolled around folks wouldn’t be stressed out using their computer to figure out 1040A forms or running to H+R Block at all hours of the night? Would be pretty simple.

Recently the White House announced President Obama's 9-9-9 Tax Plan, a daring proposal that challenges  everybody to keep buying more and more gas. Don't like it? Plunk down  $64,000 and purchase a Chevy Volt and your local dealership. White House officials have also suggested that consumers should put fresh air in their tires every 200 miles and attempt to car pool or take a bus to work.  "In order to save the environment and save money on gas, consumers should buddy it up to work," said liberal filmmaker and Halliburton and Honeywell stockowner Michael Moore from his limousine.  Stars such as Barbara Streisand and Sean Penn have also come out to support the president's cause of convincing America to pay more for gas, "Although I own a fleet a cars and spend almost $22,000 a year to water my lawn during one of California's biggest droughts, I feel that the President is correct because he is a Democrat and our motto for the people is: do what we tell you to do, do not imitate what we do," Streisand said.

Meanwhile in the Nutmeg State, Democrat legislators are fighting Len Suzio, State Senator 13th District and his bid to cap the Connecticut gas taxes. Suzio's position is that the state needs to cap their "hidden taxes" and stop the practice of taxation without representation, a move that could potentially save CT residents thousands of dollars over the next few months.  The Democrats also proposed a plan to save the taxpayer pennies on the dollar or pennies on the pennies.  Confused? Don't feel bad, their proposal is to loop off a 1.5 cents for brief period in 2012 and then, guess what? It’s back to the old system in 2013 for everybody and then we can compare notes to see how many half cents we save at the pumps.

Gas Tax Cap Rally A Success!

Today State Senator Len Suzio  R-Meriden & Middletown, lead a rally at Hiba Gas Station on the corner of South Main Street ;  to bring attention to his proposed bill to cap the state gas tax. A crowd of about 30 residents showed up in support.
 Currently CT's state gas tax is 47 cents per gallon. The gross receipts tax that is 7.5% on the is in addition to the state flat tax of 25 cents on each gallon of gasoline. Suzio has drafted legislation, senate bill number five, to cap this tax. Gas is predicted to rise to over four dollars a gallon this spring. Suzio states in his many reasons listed on his website that the State says that money from the tax goes to road repair ; bridge work, but this is simply untrue; the money goes to the general fund.The gross receipts tax is by percentage, which right now is 7.5 percent, so the gross receipts tax increases when the price of gasoline goes up.
“The people of Connecticut are getting gouged,” Suzio told the crowd, "Representative Matt Lesser came out and spoke against price gouging during the hurricane, but what about the rest of the year? The gouging that goes on everyday? That's why I am here."

Middletown Common council members Joe Bibisi, Deborah Kleckowski & Phil Pessina were on hand for the rally, as were former Mayor Sebastian Giuliano, Ed Dypa, chairman of the senior services commission, Molly Salafia, Planning & Zoning Commissioner, and Wayne Winsley, candidate for the U.S. Congress for the third Congressional district (Middletown). Also in attendance were former Council member & local radio show & political commentator host David Bauer, former Board of Assessment Appeals & co host of the TV show "The Edge" on cable access William Wilson, Bob Stefurak  host of the "The Diner," and current BOE board member Ryan Kennedy.