Why your utility bill is high
New Yorkers pay the third highest utility rates in the country (behind Hawaii and Connecticut) because of several factors. Some of which we cannot control (climate and location are two). But of course our lawmakers don't want to be outdone by these factors.
NY's utilities paid $6 billion (yes, billion with a 'b') in taxes and fees in 2009. Actually, their customers paid those taxes and fees. Last year through a single act of increasing the Article 18-A assessment they cost New Yorkers over $500 million annually. The lawmakers in the majority party (none of the GOP Senators or Assemblymembers voted for the budget in 2009) like to tell us they are taxing the rich corporations. What they don't tell you is the corporations predictably pass on those taxes to their customers. They also don't tell you these utilities pay for many of our retirement plans (through stocks) and employ thousands of New Yorkers. Now we are not here to defend the utility companies. Of course their service can often be improved. But New York residents have to understand that everytime a new tax or fee is added to business we are the ones who pay for it.
Read Brian Sampson's op-ed in the Buffalo News. Brian is the Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate. They are the most active, best informed probusiness group in New York. What they want is a robust economy in upstate so more people can have good paying jobs and less of a tax burdon.
Lawmakers need to place a moratorium on any new taxes or fees on utility services.
Author: CRBRA Admin | On: July 20, 2010 | In: | No Comments
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CRBRA - 1202 Troy-Schenectady Road, Latham, NY 12110
Phone: 518.690.0766 | Fax: 518.690.0767
