The Bush administration has continually failed to enact a sensible energy policy that will reduce gas prices and utility rates for working families, instead allowing their Big Oil buddies to rake in record profits. Assemblyman Phil Ramos has taken action to ease the pain. In 2006, Ramos sponsored a law capping the gas tax—but consumers never saw the savings. Ramos:

	Worked to reject an increase in the gas tax proposed in this year’s state budget
	Supports legislation to permanently eliminate the state sales tax on gas (A.1367)
	Supported legislation to increase competition by allowing the sale of non-brand name gasoline (A.9073, passed both houses, awaits governor’s signature)

Big Oil continues to post record-high profits, taking in billions of dollars and draining the pockets of hardworking families. Ramos is pushing legislation to hold Big Oil accountable.

The legislation would:

	Enact a windfall-profits tax and a recapture tax on big oil companies to take back our hard-earned dollars (A.11590, passed the Assembly)
	Impose a two percent gross-receipts tax on very large oil companies that sell their products in New York State
	Prohibit large oil companies from passing along the additional costs to customers through increases in their price

The cost to heat our homes will reach record-high levels this year. Phil Ramos is pushing measures to ease the burden before winter sets in. He is fighting to:

	Enhance the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) with the revenue from the windfall-profits tax on Big Oil, expanding eligibility and increasing aid (A.11590, passed the Assembly)
	Create a $1,000 tax deduction for heating oil, natural gas and propane used for heat during the winter months (A.11131-A)