Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C,I,SAM-Meco) recently participated in an Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee hearing discussing New York’s rapid transition to full electrification of the economy as a way to influence climate change.As the ranking Minority member of the committee and an avid outdoorsman, Smullen is keenly aware of environmental concerns over the cost of carbon. New taxes on gasoline, diesel, propane, natural gas, propane and fuel oil are bad for the economy at this time.

​​“With inflation running at the highest levels in the past 30 years, and no end in sight, New York is not in the position to implement drastic changes at the moment,” Smullen said. “The tax and spend ideas I’ve heard from environmental advocates compromise an already-struggling economy and will directly target the rural people who use energy to take care of their families. We can’t support it right now, and I can’t support any initiative that takes from those struggling to make ends meet.”

​“The idea of another new tax when New York is already the highest tax state in the country is deeply flawed. The continued search for sustainable energy is important, but to implement these changes without reliable or affordable alternatives already identified is the wrong move,” Smullen concluded.