Zeldin Launches Gas Price Petition Drive

MASTIC, NY (06/06/2008)(readMedia)-- Prior to the start of the summer, the Republican candidate for New York's First Congressional District urged leaders at the federal, state and local levels to ease the burden of gas prices by enacting a summer-long gas-tax holiday starting Memorial Day. If all three forces worked together, Long Islanders would enjoy a break over $.60 per gallon.

Rep. Tim Bishop, Lee Zeldin's opponent in the 2008 congressional race, has not only refused to push for a gas tax moratorium at the federal, state and county levels, he has also refused Zeldin's debate challenges, allowing key issues like fuel prices to take a summer vacation.

"Good government revolves around a trust between the people and their elected officials," said Zeldin. "Unfortunately, people in positions to lower gas prices-like my opponent-are content with failing to pay much more then lip service to the topic, even with Congressional approval ratings at record lows during a time when four in five Americans think our nation is headed in the wrong direction."

The Zeldin Campaign circulated a petition (attached) calling for leaders to follow his calls for action against rising gas prices.

"Addressing fuel prices is going to require a multilateral approach. We need to responsibly explore untapped American oil resources, address out-of-control speculating, pass a gas tax moratorium, work with our allies in states like Iraq, invest in the potential of alternative energy sources, among other much needed initiatives," said Zeldin. "As long as we have leaders content with a subpar status quo, the future looks bleak. We're on the precipice of change, and by installing strong leaders in November, Americans can go a long way towards solving these problems."

Zeldin also called for a moratorium on earmarks which would allow the federal government to continue funding infrastructure projects paid for through federal gas tax revenue.

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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 was a paratrooper, prosecutor and magistrate with the 82nd Airborne Division and XVIII Airborne Corps. In the summer of 2006, he was a JAG attorney deployed to Iraq. He is currently an attorney at Raiser & Kenniff on Long Island._

For more information on Lee’s campaign please visit us at www.zeldin08.com

Paid for by Lee Zeldin for Congress