Updated 06/20/2008 08:06 AM
Truckers rally at the Capitol
ALBANY, N.Y. -- If you came to the Capitol early on Thursday, it might have seemed like a typical, quiet day. But by about 10:30 a.m., there was no mistaking truckers' frustration about gas prices and taxes.
Truck driver Bill Sutton said, "We're not angry. We just expected more results. We expected to have these issues resolved before our elected officials we hired take their vacation -- or recess as they call it."
Nearly 300 truck drivers parked their big rigs and rallied just outside the Capitol, knowing they'd be heard but hoping their efforts would lead to change. Truckers like Bill Sutton said something has to give, especially since his last company went belly-up from the pressure.
"They owe me $12,000," he said. "I've gone two weeks without a paycheck, and I'm supposed to fill my tanks? It costs me $1,100, plates for my truck were over $1,300."
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"Hopefully they get a message across," said truck driver Aaron Hill. "It's the only thing we can do. We gotta start somewhere."
Senate Majority Leader Joe Bruno said, "Just until Labor Day, it would save over $600 million."
Senator Bruno spoke, urging Speaker Sheldon Silver to allow debate on repealing the gas tax until Labor Day.
"So why did the prices go up? Because they made them go up," said Governor Paterson, who agreed to disagree on the solution, saying any gas tax savings would be gobbled up by big oil companies.
He said, "Tell them there's a governor in New York State who awaits their call. And when we get a call and we get a real promise, on-camera, a hand shake, then we will understand that we've got to lower the taxes."
The bottom line, Sutton said, is that truckers are simply struggling to get by. Sutton has three children, one of them soon shipping out, perhaps to Iraq. He said the trickle-down effect to families all over New York is something New Yorkers are going to continue to struggle with until something gets done.
"You don't want to see me angry," Sutton said. "Trust me."
All of this as truck drivers talk of taking their fight to Manhattan, if nothing changes.