Akshar releases survey results related to plastic bag ban, first responders bills
52ND SENATE DISTRICT – Senator Fred Akshar released the results on his latest Community Voice Survey on Wednesday, with constituents of the 52nd Senate District weighing-in on the state's recently passed plastic bag ban and two pieces of legislation aimed at helping first responders and volunteer firefighters.
The first survey asked participants if they supported senate bill S1508-B, which would ban all plastic grocery bags and give counties the option to opt-in to collect tax on any alternative grocery bags sold in stores.
Of the 2,164 people in the 52nd Senate District who participated in the survey, 22 percent supported banning plastic grocery bags and taxing other carryout grocery bags. 37 percent of survey-takers supported banning plastic grocery bags, but opposed any additional taxes on carryout grocery bags.
40 percent of people opposed banning plastic grocery as well as any additional taxes on bags; 2 percent opposed banning plastic grocery bags, but supported taxing carryout grocery bags.
A press release from Akshar's office noted that when the results are combined, the survey shows 59 percent of respondents support the plastic bag ban while 77 percent are opposed to any taxes or fees on the sale of other grocery bags.
"Our Community Voice Survey results from 52nd Senate District residents seem to be in line with statewide polls on this issue," said Akshar. "While a clear majority of responses support banning plastic grocery bags, the overwhelming majority shows opposition to additional taxes on paper and reusable bag purchases. I hope our local elected officials take note when deciding whether to participate on a new tax on grocery bags."
Weighing-in on two pieces of legislation supporting first responders – one which would increase the volunteer and EMS tax credit, and one which would designate target offenses against first responders as hate crimes – survey participants were overwhelmingly in favor of both bills.
Of the 1,552 responses, 96 percent were in support of increasing the volunteer and EMS tax credit from $200 to $500, going up to $1,000 after five years of service in good standing. Senate bill S.338 also would increase the tax credit for married volunteer firefighters and EMS workers to $2,000 who have five or more years service in good standing.
For the Community Heroes Protection Act, also known as Senate bill S.335, 95 percent of survey participants were in favor of designating target offenses against firefighters, EMS workers, and law enforcement personnel as hate crimes.
"Both pieces of legislation are aimed at standing with and supporting our first responders, EMS workers and members of law enforcement," said Akshar. "If the response from community members is any indication, they also stand with and support those who keep us safe."
Akshar posted two new questions to his Community Voice Survey as of Wednesday, both of which can be found on Akshar.NYSenate.Gov. They are as follows:
• Do you support or oppose S.1747, which would allow undocumented or illegal immigrants to obtain New York State drivers licenses?
• Do you support or oppose S.5187, which would provide free college tuition to children of members of our military who lost their lives in the line of duty, also known as Gold Star Families?
"No matter my personal views on any issue, it's important for me to continually allow the people of the 52nd Senate District to weigh in, be heard and share the results," Akshar said. "It's about continuing to be open and accountable to the people."
The first survey asked participants if they supported senate bill S1508-B, which would ban all plastic grocery bags and give counties the option to opt-in to collect tax on any alternative grocery bags sold in stores.
Of the 2,164 people in the 52nd Senate District who participated in the survey, 22 percent supported banning plastic grocery bags and taxing other carryout grocery bags. 37 percent of survey-takers supported banning plastic grocery bags, but opposed any additional taxes on carryout grocery bags.
40 percent of people opposed banning plastic grocery as well as any additional taxes on bags; 2 percent opposed banning plastic grocery bags, but supported taxing carryout grocery bags.
A press release from Akshar's office noted that when the results are combined, the survey shows 59 percent of respondents support the plastic bag ban while 77 percent are opposed to any taxes or fees on the sale of other grocery bags.
"Our Community Voice Survey results from 52nd Senate District residents seem to be in line with statewide polls on this issue," said Akshar. "While a clear majority of responses support banning plastic grocery bags, the overwhelming majority shows opposition to additional taxes on paper and reusable bag purchases. I hope our local elected officials take note when deciding whether to participate on a new tax on grocery bags."
Weighing-in on two pieces of legislation supporting first responders – one which would increase the volunteer and EMS tax credit, and one which would designate target offenses against first responders as hate crimes – survey participants were overwhelmingly in favor of both bills.
Of the 1,552 responses, 96 percent were in support of increasing the volunteer and EMS tax credit from $200 to $500, going up to $1,000 after five years of service in good standing. Senate bill S.338 also would increase the tax credit for married volunteer firefighters and EMS workers to $2,000 who have five or more years service in good standing.
For the Community Heroes Protection Act, also known as Senate bill S.335, 95 percent of survey participants were in favor of designating target offenses against firefighters, EMS workers, and law enforcement personnel as hate crimes.
"Both pieces of legislation are aimed at standing with and supporting our first responders, EMS workers and members of law enforcement," said Akshar. "If the response from community members is any indication, they also stand with and support those who keep us safe."
Akshar posted two new questions to his Community Voice Survey as of Wednesday, both of which can be found on Akshar.NYSenate.Gov. They are as follows:
• Do you support or oppose S.1747, which would allow undocumented or illegal immigrants to obtain New York State drivers licenses?
• Do you support or oppose S.5187, which would provide free college tuition to children of members of our military who lost their lives in the line of duty, also known as Gold Star Families?
"No matter my personal views on any issue, it's important for me to continually allow the people of the 52nd Senate District to weigh in, be heard and share the results," Akshar said. "It's about continuing to be open and accountable to the people."
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