PRESS RELEASE
May 6, 2008

Legislators Say Harrington Misrepresenting Gas Tax Issue

Members of the majority of the Rensselaer County Legislature criticized minority Legislator Kevin Harrington for his misrepresentations about the gas tax.

Harrington misrepresented the county’s ability to reduce the tax and also concealed the fact he is employed by the State Assembly majority, who have been the main obstacle to reducing the tax.

The Republican majority has joined elected officials from across the state in supporting the proposal by State Senate Republicans to reduce the state gas tax. The reduction would reduce taxes by 32.75 cents, and save motorists approximately $5 each time they fill up.

Harrington said he would like the county to reduce gas taxes in two weeks, but fails to note a home rule request would be needed before the county can reduce the tax. If the State Assembly is unwilling to reduce the state tax, they would be unlikely to allow individual counties to reduce their gas taxes via a home rule request.

“Kevin Harrington is either not being straight with the residents or incredibly, he does not know a home rule request is needed. He should do more research before he sends out misleading press releases,” said Majority Leader Robert Mirch.

“Last week, Kevin Harrington was caught misrepresenting where he lives and now, he has been caught misrepresenting the gas tax issue. He should be more careful with the facts,” added Mirch.

“Kevin Harrington is employed by the State Assembly majority, who have said loud and clear they are opposed to reducing the gas tax. This kind of reeks of Kevin trying to give political cover for his bosses,” said Legislator Martin Reid.

Republican legislators say they are open to considering a reduction of the county’s share of the tax on gasoline, but note that permission to reduce the county share of the tax would have to come from the state, as required under state law. That process could take up weeks, if not months.

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