Gas, housing help drive area price hikes
North Shore-L.I.J. Center for Advanced Medicine Ambulatory Surgery Center has opened across the street for L.I. Jewish Hospital in New Hyde Park. (Aug. 9, 2006) Credit: NEWSDAY/DAVID L. POKRESS
Higher costs for gasoline, health care and housing in November helped to boost prices in the metropolitan area.
The federal Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Friday its consumer price index rose 3 percent last month compared with a year earlier in the 31-county region that includes Long Island. The year-over-year gain was the smallest since May's 2.9 percent.
The index climbed 3.3 percent in October, year over year.
Examining the month-over-month change, prices fell 0.3 percent in November compared with October, the second such drop this year and the largest in nearly three years. Moderating gasoline prices helped to offset a steep increase in medical costs, said Michael L. Dolfman, regional commissioner for the federal Department of Labor, which oversees the statistics bureau.
Outside the Waldbaum's supermarket in Melville on Friday, some customers said they planned to splurge for holiday gifts but cut back on spending in the new year. One person said they were making ends meet by going to thrift shops.
"I can't deprive my kids, but my husband and I have decided not to give each other presents for Hanukkah," said Amy Shapiro, a homemaker from Dix Hills. "I still don't think the economy is doing very well."
Nationally, the inflation rate was 3.4 percent in November from 2010, and 2.2 percent if food and energy are excluded.
Sarra Sounds Off Ep. 35: EI baseball, girls lacrosse and plays of the week On the latest episode of "Sarra Sounds Off," we look at East Islip baseball's inspirational comeback story, Jared Valluzzi has the plays of the week and Tess Ferguson breaks down the top defensive players in girls lacrosse.
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