Assemblywoman Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) joined Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay (R,C,I-Pulaski), members of their Conference and business leaders at a press conference today at the state Capitol to announce a plan to combat inflation and help make New York more affordable for all. If enacted, the Inflation Relief and Consumer Assistance Plan (A.8481) would provide immediate relief to New Yorkers by suspending taxes on essential goods such as gasoline, cleaning supplies and other daily essentials for the next two years.

“People and businesses are really struggling, but this is a common-sense plan that could provide immediate help,” said Byrnes, who is also a sponsor of the legislation. “This is the kind of proposal that people need, and it should be included in the state budget this year so we can provide some relief on the daily essentials people and the economy need to keep moving forward.”

In addition to motor fuels and cleaning supplies, the two-year suspension on state sales taxes would also include personal grooming supplies and ready-to-eat foods such as those purchased at grocery stores and restaurants. This component of the plan has earned the endorsement of the National Federation of Independent Business and the National Retail Lumber Association, both of which joined lawmakers and small business owners at the press conference today.