Sen. Markley Honored with AARP Connecticut 2011 Legislative Award

Senator Joe Markley (R-Southington), Janet Ferracci-Carter of Southington

Southington, CT – In recognition of his successful fight to eliminate a sneaky tax on our electric bills, state Senator Joe Markley was given a Legislative Achievement Award by the AARP on Monday, November 14 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

“I am honored to accept this award from the AARP,” said Senator Markley. “Our electrical rates in Connecticut are the highest in the continental U.S. I felt that a new tax on electricity was a terrible idea, deceptively imposed. I’m delighted to have helped bring about the elimination of that tax, and proud to have had my effort recognized by AARP.”

Markley questioned the constitutionality of a hidden electrical tax on resident’s utility bills, claiming the tax is unfair because it doesn’t affect all rate payers equally, and because the tax was imposed by a state agency without taxing authority.

AARP Connecticut presented the award to Markley “for championing lower electric costs for Connecticut rate-payers.”

The AARP has 600,000 members in Connecticut.