State Sen. Pam Helming is leading opposition against legislation that would raise taxes gasoline and natural gas.
A petition has been launched against the legislation, which has bills in the Senate and Assembly. The proposal includes an additional 55 cents per gallon gas tax, as well as increased taxes on heating oil and natural gas.
“This proposal is a bad idea any day, but it’s especially shocking given the current state of our economy. In effect, this will be a regressive tax that would impact seniors and lower income New Yorkers the most. It would hurt those who can least afford it at the worst possible time. If you use gas or diesel in your vehicle, you’ll pay more under this proposal. If you heat your home with natural gas, fuel oil or propane, you’ll pay more under this proposal. If you power your manufacturing business with heating oil or propane, you’ll pay more under this proposal. This legislation is extremely misguided,” Helming said.
According to Kiplingers, New Yorkers already pay the third highest gas tax in the nation. And the Tax Foundation says New York has the third worst business tax climate in America. If approved and signed into law estimates indicate that gasoline tax would increase by 55 cents per gallon, and natural gas costs to heat homes would increase by 26% annually.
“COVID-19 continues to present unimaginable and unprecedented challenges for New York’s local businesses and job creators. TrackTheRecovery.org estimates that there are 40% fewer small businesses operating in New York today compared to January of 2020. Albany should be concentrating all its efforts on identifying policies and solutions to support and sustain those small businesses still hanging on rather than imposing new burdens or exploring new ways to increase costs. Significantly higher taxes on gasoline, transportation, and heating fuel is the wrong idea at the worst possible time. Small business owners across the state thank Senator Pam Helming for speaking out and standing up for Main Street,” Greg Biryla, New York Senior State Director of the NFIB said.
“The Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) established a process to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in New York. The Climate Action Council (CAC) should be allowed to complete its scoping plan to ensure affordable and reliable energy before legislation like this is considered by the Legislature,” Grant Loomis added. He serves as Vice President of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership.
“New York is already experiencing an exodus of people, jobs and economic opportunities because of the state’s worsening tax climate. This exodus will only accelerate if this proposal becomes law. It’s time to pump the brakes on Albany’s appetite for higher taxes, and I will aggressively lead the opposition to this bill. I urge New Yorkers to join me by signing the petition on my website,” Helming added.
The petition is available by clicking here.
Read the legislation by clicking here.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].