Upstate utility bills are swelling with extra fees, and relief could come through tax season, according to the Times Union. Josh Riley introduced a bipartisan bill to let households deduct taxes and surcharges from gas and electric bills.
The proposal, backed by Jeff Van Drew, would apply to families and small businesses. Riley says those added charges can hit nearly $100 on a $250 bill, cutting deep into household budgets.
The plan faces hurdles. Tax deductions often help higher earners more than low-income households, and critics say direct aid programs may work better. Riley calls it one step in a broader push to lower energy costs.
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