MAHOPAC – Congressman Michael Lawler (R, NY-19), who represents constituents in all of Putnam and Rockland counties as well as sections of Dutchess and Westchester, was criticized Tuesday for high energy bills and for what Empire State Voices charged his “raking in thousands of dollars from utility companies while supporting legislation that is raising energy costs, despite his repeated promises to vote against raising these costs.”
At a rally outside Carmel Town Hall in Mahopac, Dylan Wheeler of Nyack, Empire Voices’ Senior Organizing Director and spokesman for NY-17 Constituents Impacted by Rising Energy Costs, noted that the congressman voted for H.R. 1 in 2025 eliminating tax credits that would have resulted in reductions of energy costs.
“Congressman Lawler must work to reduce energy costs here at home,” he said.
In recent weeks, New Yorkers have received some of their highest utility bills of the year, as much as 10 percent increases since 2025.
A Carmel man said his electric bill from NYSEG had increased by 22 percent this summer.
A resident of Brewster said due to skyrocketing utility bills, “everyday essentials feel more and more out of reach, and we cannot keep up with the Mike Spike much longer. When our leaders in Washington deliver tax breaks to billionaires, my neighbors and I are left to foot the bill, and that’s not fair. We need Congressman Lawler to do better.”
A woman from Peekskill chimed in, “Rep. Lawler repeatedly promised not to raise our energy bills, but when push came to shove, he voted for a bill that did just that. Hudson Valley families are already struggling to keep up with rising grocery and gas prices, and turning on the AC in August shouldn’t be something we are giving up too. We need our congressman to choose us and our livelihoods over partisan politics.”
Wheeler said energy costs have gone up throughout the Hudson Valley. “We experienced large increases last winter in heating costs and this summer with cooling costs,” he said adding, “The campaign finance reports don’t lie, and while Rep. Lawler was raking in donations from energy companies, they were getting enormous tax breaks on our dime. Rep. Lawler can say or do anything he wants to try and convince NY-17 that he cares about our rising day-to-day expenses, but it is meaningless until he starts voting against tariffs, reversing his cuts to SNAP and Medicaid, and taking other actions that will actually lower our costs.”
The New York State Public Service Commission sets utility rates in the Empire State.
Mid-Hudson News contacted Lawler’s office in Washington and Chris Russell, spokesman for Lawler for Congress issued the following: “According to the independent and nonpartisan USEIA, New Yorkers pay 33 percent higher electricity rates than neighboring New Jersey and Pennsylvania, more than 60 perent above the national average, and more than double what residents pay in America’s lowest-cost states. That has nothing to do with Congress and everything to do with the mandates, fees, and taxes forced on them by Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats – failed policies that Cait Conley fully embraces and supports. Empire State Voices is a sham group funded by the same far left special interests who back Zohran Mamdani and the socialists taking over New York City. They have zero credibility on anything that has to do with affordability or cost-of-living.”
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