Thiele: We Need to Lower Utility Bills Now, Not in a Few Years

“Last year, we enacted a State Budget that eliminates the 18-a utility surcharge on utility bills by 2017-18. With a projected surplus of $2 billion over the financial plan, we can afford to cut this fee immediately and give hardworking families relief. The Assembly’s 2014-15 budget proposal would remove this surcharge on residential customers this year rather than wait three years.”

“Hardworking families shouldn’t be forced to make unconscionable tradeoffs just to heat their homes or live in fear that they won’t have enough to cover basic living expenses. This unnecessary burden must end now- families can’t afford to wait.”