February 25, 2009

Legislator Nicolello Votes NO to Home Energy Tax

Nassau County Legislator Richard Nicolello and the Republican caucus in the Nassau County Legislature voted against a new Home Energy tax at the legislative meeting Monday February 23, 2009. 

In a 10-9 vote, the Democrat Majority on the Legislature approved the new tax.  The Home Energy tax will now impose a 2.5% tax on all residential heating and energy sources.  This includes: LIPA usage, natural gas, oil, steam services, propane, coal and even firewood.

Legislator Nicolello spoke out against the new energy tax. “A tax on home energy is the most regressive type of tax. Home energy is not an optional expense. This tax will severely impact seniors on a fixed income, working families, the disabled, the underemployed and the unemployed. Further, this is the worst possible time to enact a new tax, and this will only take money out of the economy and deepen the recession.”

Despite opposition, the measure passed and will take effect no later than June 1, 2009