Some mayors in Connecticut?s big cities are asking the Legislature to allow them to raise the sales tax to get more revenue for their municipalities.

Mayors from Stamford, Bridgeport, New Haven and New London asked the General Assembly to give them authority to hike the local sales tax from 6 to 7 percent. If approved, the mayors say Stamford would bring in an extra $20 million and Bridgeport would pick up a much-needed $8.6 million.

Stamford Mayor Dan Malloy understands that the tax hike may be a tough sell with gas prices soaring and rumblings of a recession. However, he says it's an option that has to be considered since property taxes certainly aren't going down.

Malloy says a hike is one way to boost his city's budget and provide some property tax relief. He says the proposal would give any municipality in Connecticut the power to raise the sales tax from 6 percent to 7.