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KOLB INTRODUCES PLAN TO CAP STATE GAS TAX, PROMOTE ALTERNATIVE FUELS
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To help New York motorists at the gas pumps, Assemblyman Brian M. Kolb (R,C-Canandaigua) today proposed a two-step plan that would cap the state gas tax at the first $2 per gallon cost and create an Alternative Fuel Incentive Fund to promote research, development and usage of alternative energy fuels.
"The temperature outside is not the only thing rising," said Assemblyman Kolb. "Gas prices continue to rise at a steady pace and motorists in this state can no longer sustain increased costs. The state has the ability to save New Yorkers money by suspending the state portion of the sales tax on motor and diesel fuels that exceeds $2 per gallon. Communities such as the ones I represent in the Finger Lakes region rely on tourists to survive, and if we don't act to make driving vehicles more affordable, the effects on their businesses will be devastating."
The tax-cap measure earlier passed the state Senate, but was defeated April 11 by the Assembly, 77-64, with 77 Democrats voting to retain the tax. Republicans vow to force another vote on the cap, which is estimated to save motorists about 10 cents per gallon, based on current gas prices of more than $3.
County governments would have the option of retaining or eliminating local gas sales taxes.
New York motorists pay 65 cents per gallon in taxes - the highest rate in the Northeast. Included in the price of a gallon of gasoline are motor fuel excise, petroleum business and spill taxes, a testing fee, a federal excise tax, and state and local sales taxes. New York is one of only a handful of states to subject gasoline to state sales tax. The sales tax is the only tax pegged to the price of gas, meaning that as motorists struggle to pay higher fuel prices, the state reaps an unexpected windfall.
Kolb also proposes accelerating the state's transition from fossil fuels to alternative and renewable energy sources - a move that would reduce fuel costs by easing gasoline demand
Kolb favors placing the state sales tax revenue generated from the second dollar of gas sales in the Alternative Fuel Incentive Fund. It would generate $265 million annually to provide tax credits, grants, investments and other incentives to encourage ownership of hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles, and construction of alternative fueling stations and refineries. Sales tax revenue currently goes into the general fund.
Hydrogen-powered vehicles are a long-term solution, maintained Kolb, but "hybrid" vehicles and ethanol fuel are current remedies that can serve as the bridge to the use of alternative fuel sources.
Here's how the $265 million Alternative Fuel Incentive Fund would be allocated.
* $90 million for personal income and corporate franchise tax credits equal to $500 per hybrid or fuel-flexible vehicle purchased. This initiative encourages the purchase and use of these vehicles by consumers.
* $90 million for allocated credits for installation or conversion of fueling stations to alternative fuels. This credit would increase availability of alternative fuels for owners of "flex-fuel" vehicles. Each credit would equal 30 percent of the costs associated with equipping a refueling facility to sell alternative fuels.
* $30 million to academic institutions and public/private consortiums that conduct research into and develop fuel diversification and energy efficiency options for the transportation sector.
* $27 million for installation of alternative fueling stations at the 27 Thruway travel plazas.
* $20 million for construction of a cellulosic ethanol refinery.
* $3 million to allow for elimination of state and local sales taxes and the motor fuel excise tax on alternative fuels.
* $5 million for administrative costs.
Kolb also proposes opening the five existing E-85 fueling stations in the state to the public.
There are about 50 vehicle models representing more than 5 million cars on the road today that qualify for flex-fuel usage, meaning they can operate on E-85 fuel - 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline.
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KOLB ANNOUNCES PLANS TO SEEK RE-ELECTION
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OWASCO, NY -- Assemblyman Brian Kolb (R,C - Canandaigua) announced today during a meeting of the Cayuga County Women's Republican Club that he would seek re-election for the seat he currently holds in the 129th Assembly District.
The 129th Assembly District stretches from Canandaigua to Fabius, is made up of thirty-one towns and two cities; including all or parts of the five counties of Cayuga, Cortland, Seneca, Onondaga, and Ontario Counties.
"It has been an honor and a privilege to represent the residents of the Finger Lakes and Central New York as the Assembly Member for the 129th Assembly District," said Kolb. "Today I am announcing that I will seek re-election to continue the fight for lower property taxes; help businesses by reducing taxes and reforming archaic laws, such as workers compensation and
§ 240/241 of NYS Labor Law; pass meaningful civil confinement to make our neighborhoods safe from sexual predators; and reforming the way state government operates."
Assemblyman Kolb currently holds a number of top leadership positions in Albany serving as:
" Chairman of the New York State Assembly statewide task force on manufacturing
" New York State Assembly Deputy Minority Whip
" Ranking Minority member on the Energy Committee
" Member of the Assembly Higher Education Committee
" Member of the Assembly Tourism, Arts, & Sports Development Committee
" Member of the Assembly Committee on Labor
" Member of the Assembly Insurance Committee
Assemblyman Kolb owns a home in the City of Canandaigua, and has three grown children, sons Britton and Clayton and daughter Kylie. Brian and his fiancée Lauren Marketell are engaged to be married later this year.
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