ITHACA, N.Y. (WENY) -- An online survey sponsored by a New York State lawmaker is trying to understand the impact that high utility bills have on area residents.

Senator Lea Webb is behind the initiative. According to a press release, she wants the community to participate in order to understand the relationship between high bills and those struggling with finances. The survey asks residents how much their utility bill has increased, and what level of financial hardship they now face because of it, among other questions.

“My constituents contact my office weekly to express their frustration with rising utility prices, ongoing billing issues, and a lack of transparency when it comes to how those rates are determined,” said Sen. Lea Webb, a Democrat representing NY-52. “I urge community members to participate in this confidential survey to help us understand the economic impacts facing working families when it comes to their utility bills and to help us develop policies to hold utility companies accountable and ensure folks have the tools they need to keep money in their pockets.”

This inquiry comes on the heels of WENY's own reporting, where some area residents reported receiving extremely high bills from NYSEG.

The survey is open to anyone who lives in New York Senate District 52, which includes Tompkins, Broome and Cortland Counties. The survey will be open until April 1. You can participate in the survey here.