“Earlier this week the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics released updated data regarding inflation and spending trends in the U.S and the numbers are staggering,” said Giglio. “Inflation rates have hit a 40-year high; this trend is absolutely unsustainable. New Yorkers have been struggling through the COVID-19 pandemic and this is just an added stress on everyday life. New York needs to address this problem. The Assembly Minority Conference has already put forth a bill to combat the rising cost of inflation. Bill A.8482 calls for a two-year suspension of state sales tax on many everyday purchases New Yorkers rely on, like prepared food, to-go orders, and personal-care items. The cost of gasoline would decrease by 8 cents per gallon and cleaning products like laundry detergent and disinfectants, and personal-care items, like shampoo and soap, would cost 4 percent less. It is time to take action and lessen the crippling effects high inflation rates have on our residents.”