I have gotten "Pump Jumped" more times than I choose to remember. And it was always at the Mobil Station at 4 corners. I've told the attendant but he just brushed me off and said that the pumps are always checked by weights and measures. It has happened to me a couple of times at the Cumberland on Duanesburg Road.

At the time, I really thought that it must be all in my head. But after hearing this today, I still feel sane. But pi**ed!

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

CAPITOL
GOP lawmakers back summer gas tax break
BY BOB CONNER Gazette Reporter
Reach Gazette reporter Bob Conner at 462-2499 or bconner@dailygazette.net.

    The Republican leaders of the state Senate and Assembly on Wednesday urged a summer holiday from gas taxes for New Yorkers to help them pay for the rising cost of gasoline.
    Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, R-Brunswick, said his plan would lift the 32-cents-per-gallon state taxes on gasoline, including the petroleum business tax, sales tax and motor fuel excise tax. The plan is included in legislation, bill number S-7594-A, which eliminates the taxes from the Friday before Memorial Day to the day after Labor Day. Bruno also urged the lifting of federal and local gas taxes, and suggested the proposal would not cost significant revenue because it would provide necessary economic stimulus at a time when recession is threatening.
    “We have to provide relief so people can afford to live and support their families,” the majority leader said at a news conference.
    Bruno praised Assembly Minority Leader James Tedisco, R-Schenectady, for offering a similar plan at a separate news conference held earlier Wednesday.
    But the proposals are apparently going to be dead on arrival in the Assembly. Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, put out a statement strongly opposing them.
    Gov. David Paterson, a Democrat, criticized the Republican proposals at a news conference, using less harsh language than Silver. Paterson said there was no guarantee that the tax-cut savings would go to consumers, and that the state could not part with needed revenue given that uncertain prospect.
    Silver said oil companies would likely raise their prices and keep the difference, so that consumers would not benefit from any tax cut. He blamed Republican policies in Washington for high gas prices.
    Silver’s statement also said: “Eliminating the gas tax in New York state for the summer months will result in a $500 million shortfall in revenues that are dedicated to road and bridge construction across the state — and we already have a deficit in funding for these vital projects. In a year when New York state is already facing signifi - cant economic challenges, it is the height of fiscal irresponsibility to create this enormous hole in the state budget.”
    At the national level, a similar debate about a suspension of the federal 18.4-cents-per-gallon gasoline tax has divided the parties — and not on partisan lines. Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton, New York’s junior senator, supports the idea, along with a new tax on oil company profi ts. Her rival for the presidential nomination, Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., opposes it, saying a tax cut does not address the real energy issues behind high prices.
    Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., the presumptive Republican presidential nominee, advocates lifting the gas tax, but the administration of President Bush has been less supportive of the idea.
    Some environmentalists and others have advocated higher gas taxes as a way to wean the United States off its dependence upon oil.
    At Tedisco’s news conference, Paul Looman, an independent trucker, said it costs him $1,353 to fill his tank, as opposed to $800 a few years ago. He tries to avoid driving in New York, he said, citing high gas prices and Thruway tolls.
    Groups supporting the Republican proposals included the state Farm Bureau, the Motor Truck Association and the National Federation of Independent Business.
    “If it wasn’t for farmers and truckers, you’d go around hungry and naked,” Looman pointed out.

that is a vote purchase in the wide open public eye........I wonder when they will start handing out the gift cards for groceries?????

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

Grandstanding over gas prices

    It’s not surprising to see politicians at both the state and federal level falling all over themselves to embrace a temporary suspension of gasoline taxes. Rising gas prices are the hottest issue in the country at the moment, and there’s probably no better way to win the votes of people who have been pumping $20, $30 or even more of their hardearned money into their vehicles every week this spring. The only problem is, the idea won’t work; it’ll just bust holes in the various governments’ budgets and encourage even more profiteering from people in the gas business.
    New York state has been there and done that, as have a slew of area counties: In 2006, when pump prices were nearing $3 a gallon, various sales taxes on gasoline were suspended or capped at $2 per gallon. Prices dipped briefly, then rose back to where they’d started and above. Retailers, refiners and others in the industry claimed that increased driving and demand for gas (resulting from lower prices) had put pressure on supplies and caused the price hikes. But a study in Albany County found that the gap between wholesale and retail prices jumped from 18 cents per gallon to 44 cents during that period: profiteering, pure and simple.
    What happened next was the state and counties realized how much revenue it had cost them, and they quickly moved to restore the taxes. Lesson learned — until the next gas crunch in an election year.
    It is estimated that if New York were to eliminate its 32-cent-per-gallon total tax on gas between this Memorial Day and Labor Day, it would lose roughly $500 million. At the federal level, where the tax is 18.4 cents per gallon, the hit would be roughly $10 billion. Given the current state of the economy and red ink being generated by both governments, such losses would be inadvisable.
    The only real solution to the gas price conundrum is for Americans to reduce their consumption. They either have to slow down, drive less or buy more fuel-efficient vehicles. High gas prices, painful though they may be, will eventually have this effect.

Who will pay the government workers????? the farmers?? the unions?? who pray tell who????

http://www.dailygazette.com

Quoted Text

Heed experts’ advice and reduce gasoline usage
BY EILEEN ALT POWELL The Associated Press

    NEW YORK — When David Champion is behind the wheel of a car, he accelerates slowly and brakes gingerly. He tries to drive, he says, as if there were a cup of coffee on the dashboard that would shower him with scalding liquid if he were overzealous with the accelerator or the brake.
    The driving habits adopted by Champion, director of automobile testing for Consumer Reports, have as much to do with saving money as they do with safety.
    “When you’re driving, your foot is connected to your wallet,” said Champion. “The faster you step down, the more money comes out of your wallet.”
    With the price of gasoline hitting record levels, consumers would be well-advised to listen to Champion and other experts on ways to save fuel and hold down costs.
    The U.S. government has beefed up its consumer site, http://www.fueleconomy.gov, with tips to help consumers drive more efficiently and keep their cars in good shape. In mid-May, the nonprofit Alliance to Save Energy will launch a national campaign aimed at helping consumers save hundreds of dollars through fuel-efficient driving and proper maintenance.
    Kateri Callahan, president of the alliance, for a savings of 20 gallons of gas a year, or up to $65. Using the manufacturer’s recommended grade of motor oil, for a gain of 1 percent to 2 percent and annual savings of $40. Cutting the number of miles traveled by 5 percent through combining trips, walking or taking mass transit, for $100. Eliminating jackrabbit starts, speeding and rapid braking at highway speeds for as much as 80 gallons a year, or $260. More-sensible driving around town for about 30 gallons, or $100. Clearing 100 pounds of junk from the trunk to save 12 gallons, or $40. People who take all those steps could potentially cut their gas costs by $605 a year. Callahan said the savings for each activity “can be eye-opening.” She pointed out that “$65 is a week’s worth of gas for some families, and $100 is more than a week’s worth of groceries.” Consumer Reports’ Champion said that while learning to drive smoothly can save a lot on gas, there are other steps consumers can take to improve fuel efficiency. Just slowing down from 75 miles per hour to 70 mph can significantly improve gas mileage, he said.
    “Basically, the faster you drive, the amount of fuel you use increases exponentially,” Champion said. “So 80 uses much more than 75, and 75 uses much more than 70. You want to aim for 55; that’s the sweet spot.”
    Champion also suggests consumers opt for lower-grade gasolines.
    “Often there’s a sticker (inside a vehicle) that says ‘premium gas recommended.’ But if you read the owner’s manual, it will say that’s recommended but the vehicle will run fine on regular fuel,” he said.
    It’s worth a try, he added, since it can cut costs by at least 20 cents a gallon or more. And if the engine starts to ping, you can always go back to premium fuel, he said.
    Champion also suggests drivers not leave their cars idling for long periods, burning unnecessary gas.
    “If you’re going to be waiting more than 30 seconds, turn the engine off,” he said.
    That doesn’t apply to waiting at a traffic light, he added, because “if something happens in front of you, or an ambulance comes up behind you, you may have to move quickly, and turning off the engine could be a danger.” And while Champion advocates shopping around for the best gas price, he doesn’t advise long jaunts. “Driving around and using $10 worth of gas to save a penny a gallon doesn’t make much sense,” he concluded. Consumer Report’s fuel-saving tips can be found at http://www.consumerreports.org/fuel.

They said crude oil hit $120 a barrel today.

Go out and buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle.  Gee, shall we keep buying new cars every six months just to keep up on the latest in fuel efficiency?  Lenders are getting tighter with money but consumers are told to by the newest products on the market.

In the olden days people paid off a car in 2 years.  Today I see that new car loans are being stretched to almost six years.  

But "they" tell people to go out spend more money and buy a new car.  Should be a little four seater car?  What do families do?  Vacation close to home?  Ever try to put a tent, sleeping bags, coolers, and luggage in a fuel efficient car to drive, say, to Northampton Campgrounds (I think they are still under $25 per night).  How about the moms out there taking their child to practice and half the team too?   Give us a fuel efficient mini van

Quoted Text

and $100 is more than a week’s worth of groceries.”

ROFLMAO.  In what year was $100 "more than a week's worth groceries" ??????

Quoted from JoAnn

. I've told the attendant but he just brushed me off and said that the pumps are always checked by weights and measures.

ROFLMAO   "always checked."    Ask the attendent to define the word "always."


I have to laugh at that.  JoAnn, next time an attendant tells you that, ask him/her what date the pumps were last checked?   If the price was raised this morning, did a county employee come out to verify the accuracy as soon as the price was changed?  And what about the possibility that the pump is manipulated in between inspections by the county?  

OK, did everyone hear the report today's news (Channel 6 had it).  Ni Mo is raising our gas and electric bill again.  

I half heard it, but enough to understand it's raising by $1.50 to $3.00 per month in order to pay rebates to people who buy new energy efficient stuff.   The report said rebates between $10 and $5,000.    

So everyone, hurry, go out and buy one of those fancy shmancy $2,000 refrigeraters  (to save $25 a year in annual energy costs) and Ni Mo will give you a rebate.  How much rebate (in relation to how much your purchase was), I don't know.

Oh, you just bought a new fridge last month?  Oh well, you're SOL, past purchases don't apply.  

Anyone think this could be a NiMo in cahoots with appliance retailers who might feel the pinch of people not buying because of the economy?

Why should I pay more in my NiMo bill so you can get a rebate when you buy an appliance next week and I bought mine last week?

Oops, I think they said that the program begins in the fall, so don't buy now.  And yeah, I know, it's National Grid now, not NiMo

Oh, you are remodeling your kitchen you are currently without appliances?  Are you going to go without until fall?  

Quoted Text

it's raising by $1.50 to $3.00 per month in order to pay rebates to people who buy new energy efficient stuff.  

Maybe their union could chip in....or layoff those state workers in the NYS consumer protection board?????

what is wrong with us?????

the dismantling of the bloated expense that we have created for ourselves is going to drive us to places we haven't seen since 1930....The New Deal...how have we liked being dealt that hand????

here is the thing...the energy efficient things are only good for when the 'energy' gets so expensive that the savings will be felt....if energy costs go down those machines we bought will be just as effective as the old ones......

hence---ENERGY COSTS WILL NOT BE GOING BACK DOWN......who is at the top of this pyramid of babylon?????

our money will be devalued in a sense with ATM cards and the future generations will never know what 'wealth' is, how to get or how to take care of it....and they will be more than willing to let the powers that be 'take care' for them.......the aces have been removed from the deck of cards for the next "New Deal".....

Quoted from mikechristine1

Go out and buy a more fuel-efficient vehicle.  Gee, shall we keep buying new cars every six months just to keep up on the latest in fuel efficiency?  Lenders are getting tighter with money but consumers are told to by the newest products on the market.

In the olden days people paid off a car in 2 years.  Today I see that new car loans are being stretched to almost six years.  

But "they" tell people to go out spend more money and buy a new car.  Should be a little four seater car?  What do families do?  Vacation close to home?  Ever try to put a tent, sleeping bags, coolers, and luggage in a fuel efficient car to drive, say, to Northampton Campgrounds (I think they are still under $25 per night).  How about the moms out there taking their child to practice and half the team too?   Give us a fuel efficient mini van

I agree!

And that is my kind of vacation!!! I haven't gone camping in a long time. I love it and my husband hates it. His idea of vacationing is room service, a king size bed, clean sheets daily and his own bathroom. So we compromise and do neither.

Quoted Text

National Grid Proposal Would Add $1.50 To Every Customer's Bill
CBS 6 News
May 5, 2008  
    
Energy company National Grid is proposing a set of energy-efficiency programs that would add $1.50 to every residential customer's bill. 3 dollars if you're both a gas and electric customer.
"As part of its energy and environmental policy, the State of New York has set an ambitious goal of reducing energy usage 15 percent by 2015," said Tom King, president of National Grid in the U.S., in a written statement released Monday. "National Grid is proposing these expanded energy efficiency programs for our customers so that we can together take action to achieve this goal."

"As a company, we are committed to reducing carbon emissions and assisting our customers with their energy costs. Our cost-effective energy efficiency programs are a way to do both at once."

The new initiative, branded "The Power of Action," encourages customers to buy energy-efficient appliances, weatherize their homes and educate themselves in energy efficiency.

To fund these new programs, National Grid will start charging customers $1.50 more each month on their bills, to last three years until the company evaluates the program in 2011.

The company is looking to get the operation started in October, but first needs approval by the Public Service Commission.

National Grid says a similar program has been implemented in New England and on Long Island, where a strong track record has emerged.

Some examples of cash benefits the program would provide, according to the company:

- $50 to install and use an energy-efficient washing machine
- $10 to install Energy Star windows
- $25 to install and use certain thermostats

The company says under the initiative, energy use would be reduced by approximately 4.4 million megawatt hours of electricity and 8.5 million MMBTu's (British thermal units) of natural gas, according to the company, which would save more than $350 million over the lifetime of the efficiency products and equipment provided through these programs.
The bad news...If you've already purchased an energy efficient appliance than you will not be eligible for the rebate.