Apparently, Long Island's state Senate delegation -- like Hillary Clinton -- doesn't care what economists think. They're not going to be caught on the right side of a perfectly good pander just because most of the people who understand it say it's stupid!
Our Albany chief JT Madore reports that all nine members of the LI delegation -- 8 Republicans and 1 Democrat -- voted today to suspend the state gas tax this summer, part of a 46-15 majority. Clinton proposed a similar suspension of the federal gas tax in an attempt to win votes in North Carolina and Indiana, but there's not much indication that it had a big impact.
Almost no economists support the idea. They say suspending the tax wouldn't reduce the price, which is a product of limited refinery capacity and high demand, but would instead result in oil companies getting the money that would have gone to the state.
But it sounds to people like their legislators are trying to help them. And the allure is so politically powerful, albeit substantively wrongheaded, that it puts the likes of Cesar Trunzo (left) and Hillary (right) in the same camp.
The political appeal of the issue was apparent from the vote. Thirteen of the 15 no votes came from the five boroughs, were people don't drive much. Everyone else voted yes. But the state Assembly is a different story.
The proposal is expected to die there, because Speaker Sheldon Silver is opposed.
Whoops! We forgot -- Silver never exercises power. He just listens to his conference. So, his (city dominated) Democratic conference must be opposed.
Comments (1)
Anything that keeps money out of the hands of government is a good thing. Maybe politicians will then have to reduce spending. Why would anyone that pays taxes not be in favor of reducing them? Are New Yorkers or Americans that stupid?