Issues: Consumer Protection

Procedures for Transporting U.S. License Plates Strengthened After Inquiry from Senator 

Queens, NY – Due to Senator Michael Gianaris’ concern for Americans’ safety following a serious mishandling of official United States Government license plates, the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) has revised and strengthened its procedures for transporting federal license plates. 

The procedure will require official government license plates to be hand-delivered after Senator Gianaris discovered a mishap where more than 30 license plates were mailed to a wrong location in Astoria rather than their intended destination of Montrose, New York. 

Following reports that a Long Island based charity allegedly spent millions of donor dollars on non-charitable expenses, Senator Charles J. Fuschillo, Jr. (R-Merrick) is reminding residents about several precautions they should take to avoid becoming victims of charity scams. 

The New York State Senate today passed a measure that would prohibit the sale of children’s jewelry which may contain harmful levels of cadmium and other hazardous substances. The bill (S.4055A), sponsored by Senator James Alesi (R-C-I, Perinton) protects children from accidentally ingesting cadmium, often used in inexpensive charm bracelets, pendants and other jewelry.

New York State Senator Kenneth P. LaValle (R,C,I – Port Jefferson) said his legislation that would make rates fair, just and transparent by requiring the Long Island Power Authority (LIPA) to seek approval by the Public Service Commission (PSC) if LIPA seeks a rate increase by more than two and a half percent per year has been passed by the Assembly and is headed to the Governor’s desk for his signature.  If enacted, the PSC would be required to review and approve LIPA's rate increase requests before they are passed on to Long Island ratepayers. The bill was co-sponsored by Assemblyman Robert Sweeney.

LaValle introduced similar legislation in 2008 that passed both houses of the legislature but was vetoed by then Governor David Paterson.

Agreement Will Formalize Procedures For Dealings With Youthful Offenders

The New York State Senate passed legislation (S.2551A) this week introduced by Senator Patrick M. Gallivan (R,C,I – 59th District), that would make New York State a full member to The Interstate Compact For Juveniles. The Compact is a legal contract between all 50 states, establishing formal procedures to facilitate the return of runaways, and a uniform system to manage juvenile offenders residing in other states.

Repeals pistol and revolver ballistic identification databank

Albany, NY- Senator Lee M. Zeldin (R, C, I- Shirley), Chairman of the Senate Consumer Protection Committee announced that S.459, passed the committee today and will now move to the Senate floor for full consideration.

S.459, sponsored by Senator Mike Nozzolio, repeals the pistol and revolver ballistic identification databank, otherwise known as the New York Combined Ballistic Identification System (CoBIS). CoBIS has failed to produce a single “hit” on a gun crime since its inception, and is costing New York State taxpayers $4 million per year.

Targets Companies That Unfairly Raise Electric Rates

Queens, NY – Senator Michael Gianaris announced that he will be introducing legislation to safeguard New Yorkers against unfair increases to electricity bills. The proposal, dubbed “The Ratepayer Protection Act” eliminates property tax exemptions and abatements for power-generating corporations that unfairly raise their rates. The legislation was introduced in response to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (FERC) decision to approve a rate hike by power generating companies in New York.

Recently, FERC approved the 12% increase in electricity rates for New York City residents and a 17.5% increase for New York City businesses, which would be implemented on May 28, 2011.