Aug 6, 2008 6:50 pm US/Eastern
Home Heating Oil Price Surge Bordering On Crisis
New York Lawmakers Doing A Lot Of Talking About Fixing Problem, But So Far Have Offered Few Solutions
NEW YORK (CBS) ―
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Whatever you paid last winter for home heating oil may double this winter, unless the New York state government does something soon.
CBS
The price of home heating oil has gone up an unbelievable 68.5 percent in just the last year, forcing many New Yorkers to panic.
Elected officials know this and are trying to do something to cool off the home heating crisis. The big question is what are they going to do?
CBS 2 HD found there are plenty of ideas but no agreement.
All lawmakers have to do is listen to the plight of many homeowners and they'd get a move on it.
Tanya Pacciuilli paid $3,000 last winter to heat her home. This year the price will double and she can't afford it. She's being forced to take drastic measures.
"We're struggling to pay. We're putting the house on the market, because, definitely, we can't afford it anymore," Pacciuilli said.
Pacciuilli is heartbroken about having to sell her house, but her story is a common one as New Yorkers face the home heating crisis.
"Families in my district in anticipation are already shivering because the prices of home heating oil are up by over 70 percent," said Rep. John Hall, D-Dover Plains.
Hall has introduced a plan to have the federal government provide a $500 tax credit for families earning $100,000 or less per year.
New York Gov. David Paterson spoke of the home heating fears last week when he addressed New York's fiscal woes.
"Next winter, some of these families will have to choose between heating their homes and feeding their children," Paterson said.
Paterson has called on the Legislature to come up with a solution within a few weeks, but so far there is nothing on the table.
The Assembly wants to offer grants up to $1,500 for families earning under $55,000 per year. They plan to fund the grants with a new tax on big oil companies.
"From Buffalo to Brooklyn, from Manhattan to Mohawk County, people will be freezing -- and in some cases we will see fatalities if we don't handle this problem right away," said Assemblyman Keith Wright, D-Harlem.
The Senate's plan calls for a $1,000 tax deduction for married homeowners with adjusted incomes under $150,000.
"We understand the severity of the problem, how much home heating oil has gone up. We're going to come up with a solution to the problem," said Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Rockville Centre.
Pacciuilli and her daughter, Amanda, have lived in their home for nine years – and they don't want to leave. When asked about that, Pacciuilli fought to speak through tears.
So the pressure is on. Aides to Gov. Paterson and Senate and Assembly leaders have been meeting. But a source in the Governor's office told CBS 2 HD on Wednesday there has been no agreement. The governor wants a concrete plan passed by the special session on Aug.9.
Seem like they have a lot of work to do.
(© MMX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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