Republican state senators and candidates for various seats across Long Island took to promoting senate bill S.8877, sponsored by Senator Alexis Weik (R-Sayville), with the stated legislative purpose “to provide some relief to home heating oil consumers who are struggling with the highest rates of inflation in 40 years.”
They did this against the backdrop of rising energy prices across the board when compared to last year as winter approaches. At the same time, the MTA is advancing its ‘congestion pricing plan,’ which would charge motorists up to $23 per day, with higher costs for commercial drivers. The plan was also brought up and criticized by the attendees at the press conference.
“This is really a tax specifically for Long Islanders,” said Weik of congestion pricing. “And when we look at all the things on the horizon, it’s the Democrats finding more ways to make it more expensive to live on Long Island.”
The MTA is relying on the proposal, to be implemented early next year if it receives the necessary approvals, to raise much- needed revenues for the public benefit corporation that operates commuter rail and vehicle infrastructure.
“New York State leadership is failing to protect our residents from the policies of national leaders and instead are actively working to enact changes that will actually increase costs.
That is unacceptable, and the senate Republican package will take the steps needed to decrease the cost of living every New Yorker faces. It is time for immediate action, and I thank Leader Ortt for joining us to stand up for our families,” said Senator Mario R. Mattera (R-St. James), candidate for the Second Senate District.
Joined by Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt (R-Lockport), the delegation unveiled the other aspects of their energy policy, including:
• Providing home heating tax credits and other relief to homeowners to offset the spike in utility costs; • Repealing hidden energy taxes and
surcharges;
• Rejecting Democrats’ proposal to hike gas
taxes by 50 cents a gallon, and
• Requiring a cost-benefit analysis for state
climate plans.
The delegation pointed to home heating oil prices on Long Island surging to a new, all-time high this summer, topping $6 a gallon before inching back to last week’s average of $4.76, according to NYSERDA, which tracks energy prices. Nearly half of Suffolk County residents use oil to heat their homes. The state average is 16 percent.
Natural gas prices are expected to jump 29 percent, on top of last year’s 25 percent increase. And Long Islanders pay 51 percent more for electricity than the US average.
Addressing this disparity in pricing, the delegation pointed to what they refer to as “hidden taxes,” like the Gross Receipts Tax that does not appear on residential power bills and increases with prices, meaning state government profits when energy costs go up.
“As a result of the Democrats’ wheeling and dealing and poor policies, we are stuck with a toothless Public Service Commission that can do nothing to actually ‘serve the public,’” said Dean Murray, candidate for the Third Senate District and former assemblyman. “As a result, Long Islanders are getting hammered with a myriad of taxes, fees and surcharges on their energy bills. This needs to end.”
“Long Islanders are paying some of the highest costs for gas and utilities with inflation rates continuing to escalate. The people it will hurt the most are hardworking middle-class families. We need change. The proposal by the Senate Republicans will provide real relief to the people that need it most,” said Wendy Rodriguez, candidate for the Fourth Senate District.
Rising energy prices are forming a pillar of Republican campaign efforts from the country as they focus on “kitchen table issues” as Election Day nears, with Election Day predictions from The Messenger’s Matthew Meduri on page 8.
“My district, Senate District 1, has more shorelines than any in the state,” said Senator Anthony Palumbo (R-New Suffolk), addressing criticisms against the Republican agenda. “I am for the environment. We are environmentalists, but we are realists.”
“We need to do this smartly and reliably,” he continued. “It reminds me – and it’s not a laughing matter – but I think of There’s Something About Mary, where they’re all trying to out-progressive each other,” referring to what he views as a competition between certain states to have the most ambitious goals.
“When you open that bill – those are the kinda costs that contribute to why people leave New York state and go to other places,” Ortt told The Messenger, referring to some pending legislation. It’s why employers leave New York state. It’s why seniors retire to Florida instead of being closer to their grandkids. Not only are we doing nothing about it, but the Democrats are pushing policies that drive costs even higher – and I don’t think people always make that connection.”
“Here in New York, some of the things they’re proposing- natural gas is one of the cleanest, most reliable energy resources we have,” Murray told The Messenger, discussing energy solutions in the state. “But because it’s a fossil fuel, they [the Democrats in the state Legislature] claim it’s evil. But no, It should be a great bridge energy while we continue to improve upon the renewables. Natural gas, we have an overabundance here in New York, so why not use it? It just makes sense. But that wouldn’t make for their great press release.”
