The Mike Spike: New Yorkers Paying the Price for Rep. Lawler’s Votes
While New Yorkers are paying $4,500 more, the very companies raising costs are receiving massive tax breaks and bankrolling Lawler’s campaign
HUDSON VALLEY, NY — To kick off August Recess, Empire State Voices was out at the overpass over 287 last week highlighting The Mike Spike, and how prices are spiking all across the Hudson Valley thanks to Rep. Mike Lawler and his cost-raising agenda in Congress.
Photo by Empire State Voices
Thanks to Rep. Lawler’s vote for the Republican Tax Law and support for Republicans' tariffs, Hudson Valley families are already feeling The Mike Spike, including:
Healthcare: ACA insurance premiums are increasing, 14,000 people in NY-17 lost their Medicaid coverage, and 450,000 New Yorkers were forced off of their Essential Plan Coverage.
Groceries & Food Assistance: Since January of 2024, grocery costs have jumped over 4%, and families are paying on average $310 more for groceries. In June alone, over 22,000 New Yorkers lost their food stamp benefits.
Gas: Gas prices are currently surging above $4 per gallon, adding to the $432 more families are spending on gas.
Utilities & Energy: Energy costs are up 46.75% in New York, and funding for clean energy programs that would reduce utility bills has been drastically cut.
Household Finances: Earlier this year, credit card debt hit an all-time high, and families are falling behind trying to keep up with rising costs.
And while New Yorkers continue to pay the price for Lawler's votes in Congress, his campaign received contributions from PACs representing companies in the same industries where New Yorkers are paying more — several of which received tax benefits under the same law.
"The Mike Spike we are dealing with right now is squarely on Congressman Lawler, and we simply can’t afford to live in the world he has created with his reckless votes in Congress,” said Courtney Fields, Executive Director, Empire State Voices. “New Yorkers don’t deserve to turn around and see that he is taking money from us and giving tax breaks to the very people making our lives so expensive. During August recess, I hope that Rep. Lawler hears his constituents when we say he must stop supporting tariffs, reverse his cuts to Medicaid and SNAP, and lower our healthcare costs.”To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org
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About Empire State Voices
Empire State Voices is a multi-year campaign dedicated to amplifying the voices of everyday working New Yorkers. We are fighting for economic policies that make life more affordable for constituents and holding members of Congress across the state accountable when they fail to do the same. To learn more about Empire State Voices, contact press@empirestatevoices.org
