The Business Council Supports Lawmakers Who Oppose the 18-a Utility Tax

Creates Webpage Listing All Lawmakers and Associations Who Stand in Opposition to the Hidden Tax

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ALBANY, NY (03/15/2013)(readMedia)-- The Business Council of New York State, Inc. has created a webpage which lists the growing number of State Senators and members of the Assembly who have publicly come out in opposition to the proposed five year extension of the Temporary State Energy and Utility Service Conservation Assessment, commonly referred to as the 18-a assessment.

This proposal would extend the 2 percent assessment on the utility sale of electric, gas and steam energy, which was scheduled to be reduced to 1 percent this year. Extending the fee will result in direct costs on all energy consumers (businesses, governments, schools, non-profits and residences) totally $236 million in 2014 and $2.8 billion over the next six years.

"The Business Council stands with 26 other associations throughout the state and the many lawmakers in the Senate and Assembly who reject the proposed extension of 18-a," said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council. "It's a broken promise by those who said this tax would be temporary. New Yorkers already pay some of the highest utility taxes in the nation. In the last two years, the Executive Budget has shown a commitment to fiscal discipline. It should maintain that commitment and allow 18-a to sunset."

Click here to see the list of lawmakers and associations who oppose 18a. We will continue to update this site as the issue progresses. http://www.bcnys.org/inside/energy/2013/BusinessCouncilOppositionToExtend18a.html

Click here to see The Business Council's bill memo in opposition to 18-a.