New York State Might Give You $100
As a result now Senate democrats are looking at other possible ways to provide relief to taxpayers. According to Senators Antoine Thompson and Bill Stachowski, they are considering a one-hundred dollar rebate check to all New York households. Senator Stachowski says while the estimated cost of the gas tax holiday is $600 million, the rebate cost is expected to be half that, or $300 million. The money would come out of the general fund. The measure is expected to be introduced later this week in Albany.
"I believe that it might have better bi-partisan support from the Senate and Assembly than the gas tax," said Senator Thompson, "because then you would know people would directly receive it. There is a concern that if you eliminate the gas tax just for the summer residents might never see it. But if you give them a rebate check you would see it. It would come directly in the mail."
With a growing state deficit, lawmakers were asked if New York could even afford to provide taxpayers this relief. Said one spokesman, "the state can't afford not to."
This would be another short-term solution (or band-aid) for a long-term and in-depth problem. We need to address the real issue: Big Oil. And Big Oil has been busy trying to repair their reputation due to all the complaints about high gas prices.
It is time we address the true culprit (oil companies) of this problem. And if our politicians won't do it, Democrat OR Republican, we should seriously consider why they won't address those problems and if we can find a replacement who will.
