RESOLUTION
BY COUNCIL PRESIDENT COLLINS-BELLAMY, MAJORITY LEADER RUBBO, MAJORITY WHIP ROBINSON, MINORITY LEADER BREEN, COUNCILMEMBERS, PINEDA -ISAAC, DIAZ AND MERANTE:
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RESOLUTION CALLING UPON THE NEW YORK STATE LEGISLATURE TO PASS AND THE GOVERNOR TO SIGN S.1896/A.1028, S.3734/A.5402 AND S.4882/A.2877 TO RELIEVE YONKERS RESIDENTS FROM THE BURDEN OF HIGH ENERGY UTILITY RATES
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WHEREAS, among the most significant expenses residents of the City of Yonkers must manage is utility costs, such as electricity, telecommunications, water and gas;
WHEREAS, more significantly, electricity and gas are undeniably critical essential utilities that Yonkers residents and all New Yorkers use to heat, cool and light their homes in addition to preparing, cooking and preserving their food such that these are basic human necessities that must remain accessible and affordable to everyone;
WHEREAS, historically, rates for these essential utilities move in one direction: they go up.
WHEREAS, however, in recent months electricity and gas costs have skyrocketed far outpacing inflation and leaving utility consumers exasperated and regularly trying to decide between keeping the heat on or buying groceries as they are completely uncertain of how they will be able continue to pay for their utility services;
WHEREAS, it is unfair and inhumane to allow utility company profits to outweigh the basic household needs of Yonkers families;
WHEREAS, the New York Public Service Commission regulates and oversees utility providers and has enormous power and responsibility over the utility industry including the power to set utility rates;
WHEREAS , three recently proposed bills now before the New York State Legislature, all sponsored by New York State Senator Shelley Mayer, would protect residents, business owners and all utility consumers from unfair and excessive utility rate increases;
WHEREAS, the first such ...
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