LaValle: Let Energy Tax Expire

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle has urged Governor Andrew Cuomo to remove the proposed extension of the utility tax surcharge from his Executive Budget. 

 The 18-a surcharge, which has increased utility bills for every ratepayer in the state,  is scheduled to expire on March 31, 2014.  The Governor’s proposed five-year extension would cost businesses and consumers a total of almost $3 billion.

Businesses groups, including Unshackle Upstate and the Long Island Association, also support the Senate’s call to end the utility tax surcharge as scheduled.  The Business Council of New York State, the National Federation of Independent Businesses, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York, the New York Farm Bureau and AARP are all also opposed to an extension on the tax. 

“The tax surcharge should expire as scheduled to help make make New York more competitive while reducing costs on businesses and helping to expand our economy,” Senator LaValle said.