Fuschillo And Balboni Call For A Suspension Of Gas Taxes And Protections From Gas Price Gouging

New York State Senators Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (8th Senate District) and Michael A.L. Balboni (7th Senate District) recently joined together in working to protect gas consumers from the sky rocketing cost of gasoline. The two lawmakers simultaneously called on the New York State Attorney General to investigate any potential for price gouging and initiated a move to suspend the taxes paid on gasoline at the pumps in order to protect New York consumers.

"Any move we can initiate, any protection we can employ must be utilized to protect the consumers of this state. Potential price gouging must be found and prosecuted to safeguard the consumers. We are calling on the Attorney General to keep a watchful eye on this situation to ensure that any price increases consumers face are not lining the pockets of businesses. No one should be able to profit from this situation and we are asking the Attorney General to look into this matter," stated Senator Fuschillo, Chairman of the Senate’s Consumer Protection Committee.

In response to the sudden and sharp rise in gas prices, Senators Fuschillo and Balboni wrote a letter to the Attorney General requesting that his office remain alert in protecting New Yorkers from price gouging. The letter was spurred by the fact that one gas station in Merrick had raised its price per gallon from $2.67 to $2.99 while Senator Fuschillo was at the station and had increased the price by an additional twenty cents by the end of the day.

"I join with Senator Fuschillo in urging Attorney General Eliot Spritzer to safeguard New Yorkers from exorbitant gas prices, " said Senator Balboni. "Long Islanders expect their elected officials to be proactive regarding the issues that most affect their livelihood. High gasoline prices affect everyone and must be contained so that the wallets of the taxpayers are protected."

Senator Fuschillo and Senator Balboni additionally called for a roll back on the taxes that are collected by the state on gasoline purchases in an effort to provide consumers some relief at the pump.

If you feel that you have been a victim of price gouging, you should contact the New York State Attorney General’s office at1-800-771-7755 (press option 2 and then option 1) to file a complaint.

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