Utility Bill Relief: Assembly Moves to Protect Overburdened Consumers 4th Year in Row

ALBANY, N.Y. – Statement by Beth Finkel, State Director for AARP in New York State, on Assembly passage of A.180:

“New Yorkers regularly pay among the highest residential electric bills in the nation. Yet we remain the largest of just 10 states without an independent utility consumer advocate to push back when utility companies spend over $10 million a year in ratepayers’ own money to push for rate increases.

“A 2015 AARP survey found over half of New York’s Generation X and Baby Boomer voters are concerned about their ability to pay their utility bills in the coming years.

“AARP commends Speaker Heastie, Assemblyman Dinowitz and the Assembly for passing this pro-consumer legislation – especially for retirees and those on fixed incomes who must devote a high portion of their income to energy bills – for the fourth straight year. We urge the Senate and Governor to follow suit.”

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AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization, with a membership of more than 37 million, that helps people turn their goals and dreams into real possibilities, strengthens communities and fights for the issues that matter most to families such as healthcare, employment and income security, retirement planning, affordable utilities and protection from financial abuse. We advocate for individuals in the marketplace by selecting products and services of high quality and value to carry the AARP name as well as help our members obtain discounts on a wide range of products, travel, and services.  A trusted source for lifestyle tips, news and educational information, AARP produces AARP The Magazine, the world's largest circulation magazine; AARP Bulletin;  www.aarp.org ; AARP TV & Radio; AARP Books; and AARP en Español, a Spanish-language website addressing the interests and needs of Hispanics. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to political campaigns or candidates. AARP Foundation is an affiliated charity of AARP that is working to win back opportunity for struggling Americans 50+ by being a force for change on the most serious issues they face today: housing, hunger, income and isolation. AARP has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Learn more at  www.aarp.org .

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