Energy
High gas prices are hurting everyone's wallets. This issue has to be a major priority for government in the coming years, and it will require innovative solutions. Families feel the impact of high gas prices on their budgets, and the cost of operating government vehicles (such as snow plows) has gone up due to high gas prices. As an Assemblyman, I was a co-sponsor of the 2006 law that capped the state gasoline tax at 8 cents per gallon. I supported that law because it provides real relief for families. We should maintain the cap on the county gas tax as well, but in the long run, it does not help us reduce our dependence on fossil fuels, especially imported oil and gas. We need to help people find relief at the pump, but we also need new thinking to find solutions that help us become more self-sufficient for our energy needs through renewable energy in particular, but also by improving gas efficiency on our roads. Looking to the future, we have to make better use of renewable, cleaner, and locally produced sources of energy. In the Assembly, I have been one of the leading supporters of research and production of biofuels like those being developed by SUNY-ESF. SUNY-ESF has created a new way of making ethanol that is more efficient and that can and will be locally produced here in Central New York. SUNY-ESF has a pump in operation for E85 (or 85% ethanol), which I supported through a New York State Assembly grant. There may not be a quick fix to this problem, but with progressive leadership, we will be able to help families by reducing the burden of high energy and gasoline costs. |
    447 James Street Phone 477-0500 |
