The affordability crisis should be near the top of the list for New York’s leadership, yet responsible state spending, the high cost of living, and managing inflation have been ignored. That’s the assessment of the legislature’s Republicans, who are pushing a strategy to give residents a break.
To the chagrin of New York pocketbooks, their “Inflation Relief & Consumer Assistance Plan” has been brushed off by Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Democrats who control the state Senate and Assembly. ”Affordability has been our calling card, and it will continue to be a priority until some real progress is made,” Assembly GOP reps said in a statement.
“Since President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have been in office, the costs for basic goods and services in the U.S. has been unbearable for many families,” the legislators said. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, grocery prices are up nearly 25% compared to 2019. Beverages, cereal, bakery products, meat, eggs, poultry, and fish have all seen increases of 20% or more.
“Inflation is a complicated economic consideration, and while it is not traditionally associated with state-level policymaking, we worked hard to craft legislation to make it more affordable to live in New York,” said Assemblyman Joseph DeStefano. “Our plan would immediately suspend state sales tax charges for two years on items like gasoline, personal care products, housekeeping and cleaning supplies as well as some food purchases. Unfortunately, that proposal was rejected by the Assembly Majority Conference and has stalled.”
The plan also includes several bills to help make child care more affordable, costs that have been especially burdensome to families across the state in recent years, and they impact those least able to afford unexpected increases the most. The legislation would save the average family more than $2,300 a year in childcare costs and includes calling on the federal government to reinstate the Enhanced Federal Child Tax Credit.
Bills stalled by the Democrats also include measures to:
- Establish a supplemental household and dependent care credit payment.
- Increase the aggregate funds available for the child care tax credit.
- Increase the applicable percentage of the child tax credit allowed in the
- Empire State Child Tax Credit to 45%.
- Increase the Earned Income Tax Credit.
“Perhaps the most frustrating part of this equation is the lack of urgency to address cost-of-living concerns plaguing New Yorkers,” said the Assembly’s GOP leader, Will Barclay. “Many are struggling to make ends meet, and there has been little economic relief to help offset increasing costs. We clearly cannot sustain this level of economic uncertainty, and we hope to see a much greater emphasis on fixing this problem in these critical upcoming months.”