Media Advisory - Press Conference 12:30 p.m. Today

• by New York Association of Convenience Stores

ALBANY, NY (08/18/2008)(readMedia)-- The New York Association of Convenience Stores will hold a press conference at 12:30 p.m. today, Monday, August 18, 2008, in the LCA Room, Room 130 of the Legislative Office Building, Albany NY.

At long last, Albany is focused in on the hundreds of millions of dollars in taxes that are escaping due to cigarette and motor fuel tax evasion that the executive branch of state government has allowed to reach epidemic proportions.

The mounting toll on mom-and-pop retailers, the state's fiscal condition, and anti-smoking efforts has become too severe to allow such tax evasion to continue unabated. On behalf of retailers who play by the rules, the New York Association of Convenience Stores will outline strengths and weaknesses of various pieces of legislation designed to address this crisis, and urge the Legislature and Governor Paterson to adopt the bill with the best chance of success before more damage is done.