Warning: All New Yorkers May be Forced to Pay More for Countless Products – Thanks to Two Bad Albany Bills and Their Unintended Consequence
Proposed legislation would eliminate discounts that tens of millions of consumers use
BELOW: Seven Ways Bills Will Cost New Yorkers Money
Albany, NY — As New Yorkers continue to struggle with rising grocery bills, housing costs, utility prices, and everyday expenses, lawmakers in Albany are quickly advancing legislation that could make it even harder for families to save money on everyday purchases.
The so-called “One Fair Price Act” and “Protecting Jobs & Discriminatory Pricing Act” would restrict or prohibit many of the personalized discounts and loyalty offers consumers rely on to lower costs at grocery stores, restaurants, online retailers, hotels, and other businesses.
Supporters of the bills say they are targeting “surveillance pricing,” where consumers could potentially be charged higher prices based on personal data. But the legislation goes far beyond preventing price increases — it also threatens discounts and promotions that help New Yorkers save money every day.
“These bills would effectively punish consumers by taking away deals and discounts families count on to stretch their budgets,” said Chelsea Lemon, Business Council of New York State. “At a time when affordability is the top concern for New Yorkers, Albany should be focused on lowering costs — not eliminating savings opportunities.”
SEVEN WAYS THESE BILLS WILL COST NEW YORKERS MONEY:
- ‘The Grocery Store’ Savings: Say goodbye to the $20-$50/wk that you save with targeted coupons, personalized to your tastes and interests: NOT LEGAL
- ‘Referral’ Savings: Say goodbye to the discount you get because you refer a product to a friend: NOT LEGAL
- ‘I Want to Comparison Shop’ Savings: Say goodbye to the savings you get when you compare products online and then you get a discount coupon for that product: NOT LEGAL
- ‘I Need a Vacation’ savings: Say goodbye to any hotel offering you a discount for an additional night when they have low occupancy: NOT LEGAL
- ‘I Really Need a Vacation’ Savings: Say goodbye to discounts on travel bundles, meaning your flight reservation triggers discounts on hotels, cars, or experiences: NOT LEGAL
- ‘I’m waiting for a deal’ savings: Say goodbye to putting something in the online cart and waiting for a coupon or discount: NOT LEGAL
- ‘College Scholarships’ savings: merit, needs-based, or athletic scholarships are "personalized" prices and will leave New Yorkers paying full price for college
Let’s be clear: No other state in the country does this. Colorado just vetoed a bill to ban surveillance pricing because it would have jeopardized discounts, just like these bills. Governor Polis’s message was clear: "We should be championing, not deterring, opportunities for [Coloradans] to save money."
New Yorkers will be at a disadvantage compared to consumers in the other 49 states, where these discounts and savings tools remain widely available.
With inflation and affordability continuing to dominate concerns across the state, opponents of the legislation are urging lawmakers to reject the bills and instead pursue policies that expand consumer savings rather than restrict them.