Senator Parker has Utility Bill Passed

Brooklyn, N.Y., –Although an intense three years of illness and death due to COVID-19 has abated, the sad reality is that many people are still plagued with the social and economic hardship of its long-term impact. As such many families are struggling with paying their basic necessities like electric, gas, and water bills. This week, State Senator Kevin Parker passed a bill aimed at alleviating some of the stress on affected families

“The New York Senate passed my pivotal legislation that directs utility companies to provide customers with payment plans of either 24 or 36 months for the payback of COVID-19 related arrears,” said Senator Parker. “With the available option of longer payment plans, the amount owed by customers could be stretched out thereby decreasing the monthly payment due.  This puts less of a burden on individuals and families living paycheck to paycheck and leaves utilities with fewer past-due accounts,” added the Brooklyn Senator

In an aim to pinpoint how much is owed to utility companies and solve the state's current arrears crisis, the bill also requires that a report be made on the totality of customer utility arrears.

The COVID-19 crisis has placed heavy pressure on essential public services, including utility services, in all areas of the State. The passage of a utility suspension in New York was essential in the fight against COVID-19-related damaging economic impact. There’s still an existing financial impact for customers to recover from to help New York grow its way out of the COVID-19 recession.

                                                    About State Senator Kevin Parker

Senator Kevin S. Parker is intimately familiar with the needs of his ethnically diverse Brooklyn district comprising sections of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Kensington, Ditmas Park Midwood, Flatlands, Canarsie, Georgetown, Old Mill Basin, Mill Basin, Marine Park, and Bergen Beach. A lifelong Brooklyn resident, he is the Chairman of the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee and sits on the Senate Finance; Rules; Banks; Internet and Technology; Rules; and Budget and Revenue.

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