Democrats and Republicans call for action to lower gasoline prices in Connecticut, though they disagree on what that action should be.
"We hope that all across this country people are waking up to the fact that supply and demand doesn't control prices any longer, that Wall Street does," Rep. Chris Murphy said.
He wants government regulators to limit excessive speculation that's driven prices upward in recent months. In fact, gas has risen 88 cents a gallon in the last three months, according to Gene Guilford of the Independent Connecticut Petroleum Association.
"Eighty-eight cents in ninety days is irresponsible, it is reckless, it is not necessary and it's costing us a fortune and we can do something about it," Guilford said.
"One has only to take a look behind us at the gas station and see that there are no long lines," said Rep. John Larson.
What there was at the station on Capitol Avenue in Hartford were "cap the gas tax" signs. Inside was a petition, its signature lines filled in less than one day, to cap the state's special sales tax on gasoline that adds about 25 cents to the price of a gallon in Connecticut
"Politicians who blame it on speculation are just looking for a scapegoat. They don't want to acknowledge their own responsibility, their shameless responsibility in magnifying the cost of gas," said Sen. Len Suzio, (R) Meriden.
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He said the Democrats who dominate the state government are getting a windfall, more than they budgeted from gasoline taxes, so that as gas prices rise, so does revenue.
Suzio said the State Senate Republicans are holding a "cap the gas tax" rally at the Legislative Office Building March 21 at 11 a.m.
With only 14 Republican senators in the 32-member Senate, and a smaller portion of Republicans in the House of Representatives, approval would require many Democrats to buck Gov. Dannel Malloy.
