Everyone deserves a safe, stable place to live, and reliable and affordable utilities are a necessity for every single home. At a time of record inflation and disastrous billing schemes that are leaving people broke, Sue Serino voted against creating an independent consumer advocate to check Central Hudson Gas & Electric’s authority — not once, but twice.

Central Hudson is under investigation for its questionable billing practices, and people in the Hudson Valley need protection. Twice, the New York State Senate has voted on legislation to create the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate as an independent voice to protect New Yorkers from unfair utility bills and to promote transparency and accountability from utility companies. And twice, Senator Serino has voted against the independent consumer advocate.

She also voted against legislation requiring utility companies to submit a storm hardening and system resiliency plan and making utility companies responsible for reimbursing customers for certain

widespread, prolonged outages.

A look at Senator Serino’s public campaign reports shows she has accepted thousands of dollars from Central Hudson while simultaneously voting against legislation that would help people in Ulster and throughout the Hudson Valley.

This is pay-for-play politics at its worst. If Senator Serino actually cares about Hudson Valley residents, she should return the money and support public oversight and accountability for utility companies, including Central Hudson Gas & Electric.

Karen Wharton, Democracy Coordinator

Citizen Action of New York