Statement from Congressional Candidate Lee Zeldin

SHIRLEY, NY (01/22/2008)(readMedia)-- Long Island’s cost of living is unreasonably high, which is adversely affecting our economy and our future. I will not rest until our local, state and federal governments wake up and address this crisis. Fuel prices have skyrocketed. The Alternative Minimum Tax is crushing hard working middle class families. Foreclosures are spiraling out of control. Congressional spending lacks any measure of fiscal discipline and despite all of this, our current Congress wants to “raise revenue” by increasing our cost of living.

This elevated cost of living, lack of better paying jobs and irresponsible governance continue to drive young families away from Long Island in droves. Families and homeowners, young and old, need relief in order to prevent the slow suicide of the towns and villages that we love. One necessity is for Congress to extend the tax cuts of 2001 and 2003.

As a homeowner with a family, I know firsthand the difficulties tied to surviving on Long Island. Thanks to my twin daughters, I have double exposure to the costs of formula, diapers and baby food. The simple task of driving our vehicle or heating our home becomes a cause of massive consternation thanks to the soaring fuel prices.

Congress must immediately pass an energy bill that puts money into our pockets rather than the bank accounts of big oil corporations. Gas, oil and fuel are three expenses that are devastating families such as mine. Federal gasoline taxes, renewable-energy, and hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles are just three items of interest providing my opponent with what amounts to a wasted opportunity to lead us to a better tomorrow.

There are even more ways for Congress to help. As a Congressman, I will do everything in my power to alleviate the burden tied to living here. I will review all legislation with a fine-toothed comb to ensure that Long Islanders get back what they put into our government. Long Island’s Future Begins Now!

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Zeldin served as an aide to State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle. The Shirley resident studied at the University at Albany, graduated from Albany Law School, and earned his commission through Army ROTC. He served as a paratrooper, prosecutor and magistrate with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps. Zeldin deployed to Iraq in the summer of 2006 with the 82nd Airborne Division. He is currently an attorney at Raiser & Kenniff on Long Island. He lives in Shirley, with his wife, Diana, and their twin one-year-old daughters, Mikayla and Arianna.