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SENATOR NOZZOLIO ANNOUNCES SENATE ACTS
ON GAS TAX CAP
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Albany- New York State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio (R- Fayette) today announced that the Senate approved legislation to provide New Yorkers with relief from high gas prices by capping and reducing the sales taxes on gasoline.
The legislation, which was also approved by the Assembly today, will save New Yorkers as much as $450 million annually at the pump by capping the sales taxes at $2 per gallon. The bill caps the State sales taxes on gas at 8-cents per gallon, effectively freezing the tax at the $2 per gallon rate. The State currently collects an average of 12-cents in sales taxes on a gallon of gas at current prices, this bill would cap the tax at 8-cents per gallon. The legislation will allow local governments to match the State savings at the local level if these chose to do so. Localities currently collect between 12 to 15 cents per gallon from local sales taxes.
"Every day the increasing price of gas takes a bigger bite out of the wallets of our local families and businesses in New York when they fill up their tanks," Senator Nozzolio said. "This new legislation, which I aggressively fought for, will give some financial relief to New York State families who have no control over the cost of gasoline and fuel oil."
The cap on the State sales tax on gas would take effect on June 1, 2006. Local governments would have the option of passing a law to cap their local sales tax on gas at a fixed rate or lower rate than they currently collect.
The measure will require gas stations to pass along these savings to consumers. The State Commissioner of Taxation and Finance, in conjunction with the Chair of the State Consumer Protection Board, would be responsible for the enforcement of this legislation. There is a fine of up to $5,000 per incident, per day, for stations that do not comply with cap.
"State and local governments should not reap a revenue windfall from high gas prices at the expense of taxpayers and I urge all local governments to join the State and give taxpayers a break on gas taxes," concluded Nozzolio.
The bill was sent to the Governor.
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SENATOR NOZZOLIO URGES VETERANS TO TAKE ACTION TO FIGHT IDENTITY THEFT |
In the wake of the largest burglary in history involving the theft of the personal data of nearly 26.5 million United States Veterans, State Senator Michael Nozzolio (R-Fayette) today urged veterans concerned that their personal information may have been stolen to contact the federal government's special call center 1-800-FED-INFO or to visit the official government portal www.firstgov.gov or the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs at www.va.gov/opa. The call center and websites provide information to determine if veterans' identification is being used to commit identity theft crimes or fraud, and where to report suspicious or unusual activity.
"Veterans need to know the best steps to take if they suspect that they may be the victim of identity theft crimes. I urge all veterans to phone the call center or, if they have access to a computer, to visit these websites," Senator Nozzolio said.
The information that the thieves recently stole included U.S. Veterans Affairs electronic data containing the Social Security numbers and birth dates of millions of veterans across the nation, who are now at risk of having their credit compromised or even destroyed.
The Department of Veterans Affairs asks that all veterans be extra vigilant and carefully monitor bank statements, credit card statements and any other financial statements. Suspicious activity should be reported immediately to the financial institution involved or veterans should contact the Federal Trade Commission. Veterans should also note that the earliest date at which suspicious activity might have occurred is in May 2006, when the theft occurred.
"Identity theft is a very serious crime that is on the rise and can wreak havoc on an individual's finances and takes years to recover from. "The widespread use of Social Security numbers for personal identification is far too common, and it is far too easy for criminals to access and steal this information. This represents a serious threat to an individual's privacy and financial security," Senator Nozzolio added.
In 2002, Senator Nozzolio sponsored and was instrumental in the adoption of legislation that made identity theft a crime in New York State. Senator Nozzolio took the lead in fighting to establish criminal penalties for identity theft after meeting with Cynthia Watkins, a retired elementary school teacher from Auburn who had been the victim of identity theft. The law was a major victory for New York's consumers and enhanced the ability of prosecutors to hold criminals accountable for identity theft crimes. In addition, the law enabled victims to secure restitution for their losses.
Suggestions to individuals on ways of protecting their privacy include:
" Protect your Social Security Number. It's all a criminal needs to steal your identity.
" Shred unnecessary financial documents before disposing of them.
" Protect store receipts containing credit card information.
" Periodically review you credit report to quickly identify problems.
" Report lost or stolen credit cards immediately
" Memorize your Social Security number and passwords. Don't use date of birth as your password and don't record passwords on papers you carry with you.
" Don't carry your Social Security card or birth certificate-leave them in a secure location.
" Beware of mail or telephone solicitations that offer prizes or awards-especially if the offeror asks you for personal information or financial account numbers.
" Match your credit card receipts against your monthly bills and check your monthly financial statements for accuracy.
" Never leave transaction receipts at ATM machines, on counters at financial institutions, or at gasoline pumps.
For more information on ways to protect against identity theft visit Senator Nozzolio's website at www.senatornozzolio.com.
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SENATE APPROVES NOZZOLIO BILL TO TRANSFER LAND TO SENECA COUNTY TO ESTABLISH A VETERANS CEMETERY AT FORMER SAMPSON NAVAL AND AIR FORCE BASE
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State Senator Michael F. Nozzolio (R-Fayette) today announced that the Senate has approved legislation he is sponsoring that will allow Seneca County to acquire surplus New York State land and establish a world class Veterans Cemetery at the former Sampson Naval and Air Force Base. This land is where hundreds of thousands of brave men and women began their military service during World War II.
"The Senate's approval of this legislation is a major step forward in making the dream of this Veterans Cemetery a reality," said Senator Nozzolio. I strongly urge the State Assembly to act quickly on this important legislation."
The Senator's legislation must be approved by the Assembly and Governor in order for this transaction to take effect. Assemblyman Brian Kolb is sponsoring the legislation in the Assembly.
Senator Nozzolio has committed over $500,000 in New York State funding in an effort to create a Veterans cemetery as the final resting place for our military. The legislation that was approved by the Senate will transfer over 450 acres of surplus New York State property back to Seneca County. Approximately 100 acres will be dedicated for the construction of the Veterans Cemetery and the remainder will be returned to the tax rolls for future economic development.
"Throughout our nation's history, veterans have made tremendous sacrifices in defense of our democracy, said Senator Nozzolio. "In fighting for freedom and peace, our veterans secured America's greatness, a greatness that prevails today because of all our veterans' tremendous collective sacrifice. America's veterans are our true heroes, and this cemetery will be a lasting tribute and place of honor where they will be appropriately remembered."
"The Finger Lakes region is home to a remarkable and unique military history, added Senator Nozzolio. "The Sampson site is a place of hallowed ground, where over three quarters of a million Americans were trained to defend and preserve our freedom. These Americans trained at Sampson to serve America and the country they loved. Just a few miles from Sampson is Waterloo, the nationally recognized birthplace of Memorial Day."
The site of the proposed cemetery, the Sampson United States Naval and Air Force Base, served as a naval training station during World War II and was later used as an Air Force Basic Training Center. Constructed in 1942, Sampson trained over 400,000 naval recruits during its years of operation. Sailors trained at Sampson fought and participated in every major battle of World War II. During the Korean War the property was converted to the Sampson Air Force Base and over 300,000 airmen received their basic training there from 1950 until 1956. The Sampson Memorial Naval Museum and Air Force Museum are currently located at the site.
Creation of a veterans cemetery on the former Sampson Naval and Air Force base has been one of the highest legislative priorities for many veterans' groups throughout New York State. Over the years, New York State Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, Korean Vets, New York State Council of Veterans Organizations, the Sampson WW-2 Navy Veterans and Sampson Air Force Veterans have all advocated on behalf of the development of a cemetery at Sampson.
All honorably discharged veterans, their spouses and dependent children will be eligible for burial at the proposed cemetery. The guidelines for the cemetery will be based on federal veteran cemetery standards. This will include opening and closing of the graves, perpetual upkeep and maintenance, government headstone or marker, burial flag and presidential certificate.
Senator Nozzolio has also established the Sampson Veterans Cemetery Advisory Board. The first meeting of the board will be held on Thursday, June 8 at the American Legion Post, 396 Lochland Road in Geneva at 6:00 p.m. to explore plans for the development of the cemetery and discuss the state regulations which will govern the board. In addition to Senator Nozzolio, confirmed members of the Board include: Wayne and Cindy Campbell, Carmen Pascarella, Olive Jameson, Jim Lewis, John Barwinczok, Ted Fafinski, Ronald Pettengill and David Kaiser. Other individuals are expected to join the board as the plans are developed.
"I remain steadfast in my commitment to bring this cemetery to the former Sampson Naval and Air Force Base in Seneca County and is a fitting tribute to our veterans that this legislation was approved on the brink of Memorial Day," Nozzolio concluded.
For more information on how to become a member of the Sampson Veterans Cemetery Advisory Board, contact Senator Nozzolio's District Office at 888-568-9816.
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