News from New York Republican State Committee

For more information contact: Matthew Walter, 518-462-2601

While McCain and New York Republicans Act on Gas Tax Relief, Obama and Clinton Reject Action

Statement from Joseph N. Mondello, Chairman, New York Republican State Committee

ALBANY, NY (04/24/2008; 1705)(readMedia)-- With the average price of gas in New York State approaching four dollars per gallon heading into the busy summer driving season, families and businesses in New York and across America need relief right now.

Senator John McCain’s gas tax relief plan, coupled with a similar proposal at the state level from Senator Andrew Lanza, would let the average New Yorker keep an extra five dollars every time they fill up at the gas station. Businesses that use larger shipping vehicles to move their goods would save even more instead of being forced to pass along the added cost to consumers-- costs which have been contributing to the inflated costs of food and other necessities.

These sensible Republican plans will provide immediate relief for the problems people are facing every day, while longer-term solutions are proposed, researched and enacted.

Unfortunately, Senator Obama has flatly opposed the plan as a bad idea, even though he supported suspending a gas tax as a State Senator in Illinois. Senator Clinton, knowing the pain New Yorkers are feeling, has still refused to support it.

This issue once again underscores that the Democrats are out of touch with the everyday problems that New Yorkers and Americans face. The problem is painfully clear; it’s time for action.

###