HARTFORD, Conn. (Legal Newsline) - The Connecticut Legislature followed the lead of Attorney General Richard Blumenthal last week, approving a law that would provide a measure of relief for those who purchase gasoline with cash.

With only one vote against it total in both houses, the law will take about 3 or 4 cents off per gallon, Senate President Pro Tempore Donald Williams said in a report in the Hartford Courant.

"Even though we're talking about 3 or 4 cents a gallon, which may not seem like a lot in the context of almost daily price increases, we wanted folks to know the state was not piling on," Williams said, according to the report.

The legislation was pushed through during a special session that was initially arranged to extend a real estate conveyance tax. Blumenthal publicly called for the Legislature to address the gasoline ideas, and wrote in a formal opinion to Gov. Jodi Rell that the measure would be on safe legal ground.

Gas suppliers frequently reach agreements with franchises that prohibit them from offering discounts for cash customers.

"Franchise agreement provisions that bar cash discounts are not only unfair, but now unlawful in Connecticut," Blumenthal said.

"This significant step promises substantial relief to small businesses and consumers, but must lead to other measures, including substantial federal action."

From Legal Newsline: Reach John O'Brien via e-mail at john@legalnewsline.com.