FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
SEMPOLINSKI: EPR HIKES GROCERY COSTS, HURTS FARMS
Proposed Law Would Make Farms/Businesses Responsible for Recycling
ALBANY – Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski said a proposed state recycling bill would increase costs for families, farms and businesses if it becomes law.
The Packaging Reduction and Recycling Infrastructure Act (A01749/S01464), also referred to as the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) law, would shift responsibility for recycling away from private recycling companies and municipalities and make “producers” like farms, nurseries, cider mills, dairy co-operatives, and cheese plants responsible for New York’s recycling program.
Assemblyman Sempolinski voted against the bill, as a member of the Assembly Environmental Conservation Committee, when it was reviewed by the committee.
“This is another ill-conceived, job-killing bill that will increase grocery costs and hurt New York’s already struggling businesses and families,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said. “Like the electric school bus mandate and the push to ban natural gas, this bill was drafted by members of the Democrat majority to pander to their base while ignoring the adverse impact on average New Yorkers.”
Citing a York University study, the Business Council of New York State estimates the EPR could raise the average family of four’s grocery bill $38 to $61 per month, or $456 to $732 per year, and result in a $1.3 billion increase in direct costs to New York’s farms and businesses.
Noting that New York has lost already 3,000 farms, the New York Farm Bureau opposes the bill because New York’s farmers cannot bear the cost.
“This legislation will lead to many farms, dairy co-ops and ag businesses closing because they just can’t afford it,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said. “I’m opposed to this legislation because it threatens the viability of our already-struggling farms and businesses and it will raise costs for our already-struggling New York families.”
New York leads the nation in the number of citizens and businesses moving out as people and businesses flee high taxes and regulations. New York also leads the nation with the highest tax burden in the country. The average New York taxpayer pays more than $12,000 in taxes per year when the national average is around $7,000.
“These are the kind of statistics the tax and spend culture in Albany has created. My colleagues in the Democrat majority talk a lot about making New York more affordable for families and businesses. If the EPR bill is how they are trying to help us, they should stop,” Assemblyman Sempolinski said. “I will continue to call out policies in Albany that will drive up costs and hurt families and businesses. We need to reduce taxes and regulations, not pile on more.”
While the full Assembly hasn’t voted on the bill yet, the state Senate passed it in a 33-25 vote last week.
Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski represents the 148th New York Assembly District, which consists of all of Cattaraugus and Allegany counties and portions of Steuben County. For more information, visit Assemblyman Sempolinski’s website.
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