Ratepayer RGGI Affidavit‏

Americanforprosperity

Dear Concerned Taxpayer and Organizers,  

We first would like to thank you for your interest in the unconstitutional cap and trade tax that is driving up electric rates, increasing costs of goods, and killing jobs.  Your efforts to help in its repeal are greatly appreciated. 

A quick update: 

·         The Schuyler County Legislature and the Town of Chester passed resolutions calling on the Governor and the State Legislature withdraw from RGGI.

·         The draft of a bill that would withdrawn NY out of this cap and trade scheme is still being reviewed but should be ready for introduction by the start of the new session in January.

·         By the first week of December, the arguments for the state's motion to dismiss in the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of RGGI must be received.  It appears that that the judge will announce his ruling possibly by the end of January. 

Here is another opportunity to make your voice heard on this issue.  

Attached is an affidavit that can be signed by ratepayers responsible for paying their electric bill to show your opposition to this unfair and unconstitutional tax. 

Please be aware: 

1.       The affidavits need to be signed in front of a notary. 

2.       We need to submit the ORIGINALS to the Court – so please make sure that you send me the originals. 

3.       Please do not fold the affidavits.  Use a larger envelope.

4.       I need to receive them by November 29th. 

Please send affidavits to: 

Lisa Thrun

5325 Shadyside Drive

Clarence, NY 14031 

If you have any questions, please feel free to call or e-mail me.   

Also, if you know of any towns or counties that passed the resolution, please forward a copy to me.   

We have a very short time to get the affidavits signed.  Any help in this endeavor would be greatly appreciated. The more the court hears from the ratepayers, the better.  With your help we will put a stop to this unconstitutional tax. 

Sincerely,

 

 

 

Lisa Thrun

Americans for Prosperity

Americans for Prosperity Foundation

 

New York Chapter

Grassroots Chair

716.604.5701

lthrun@afphq.org

www.americansforprosperity.org/newyork

www.americansforprosperity.org

AFP NY on Facebook

Twitter@AfpNY

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AFFIDAVIT 

 

STATE OF NEW YORK                               )

                                                                  )  ss.:

COUNTY OF                                  _______ ) 

 

 

 

                                                            , being duly sworn, deposes and says:

 

1.                  I am a resident of New York State and pay taxes to New York State. 

2.                  Every month, I receive and pay an electric bill from my electricity provider.  That bill contains a number of taxes and surcharges, which I am responsible for paying.  I pay my entire electricity bill, including all taxes, surcharges, and costs charged to me, every month.

3.                  I understand that among the taxes and surcharges billed to me (and paid by me) is a hidden tax resulting from New York’s participation in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (“RGGI”) (the “RGGI tax”).  Absent New York’s participation in RGGI, I would not have to pay as much as I do for my electricity.

4.                  Every month that I pay the RGGI tax, I am being taxed without representation because the RGGI tax was not voted upon and passed by the New York State Legislature.  As a result, I am being denied my right to a republican form of government, which exists where the people are represented by elected representatives. 

5.                  Every dollar that I am required to pay as the RGGI tax is one dollar that I am not able to spend on food, clothing, shelter, health care, education and/or to fund my retirement.  This directly and adversely hurts me financially, and the only reason why I have to suffer this financial harm is due to RGGI and the RGGI tax. 

6.                  I have been informed that, to date, RGGI tax dollars have generated in excess of $325 million for New York State, and that those dollars are being used to advance various policy goals entirely unrelated to the administration of the RGGI program, including at least $90 million that has been diverted from RGGI’s stated goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to reducing New York State’s budget deficit.

7.                  If New York State is going to impose a tax on me, then that tax should be the subject of robust debate among my elected representatives, who will have to go on the record and vote for or against any such tax. 

8.                  Unlike other New York State taxes that I am required to pay, the state senators and assembly representatives that were elected from my legislative district were not given the opportunity to vote on the RGGI tax.  As a result, I cannot hold any of my elected representatives in my voting district responsible for the RGGI tax.  I do not know whom to vote for (or against) because no one in the New York State Legislature voted for or against this unlawful hidden tax. 

9.                  I oppose the RGGI tax, which was not voted upon by my elected representatives in the New York Legislature.   

 

Signature:                                                 ______

Print Name:_____________________________

 

 

Sworn to before me this

       day of                                 2011.

 

 

 

                                                          

Notary Public

 

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