End to Pain at Pumps? Lawmakers Push to Pause NY Gas Tax

Could we finally be getting some relief from the pain at the pumps in New York?

Lawmakers are working to drive down soaring prices, for a little while anyway. Senator Patrick M. Gallivan is co-sponsoring legislation to temporarily suspend New York’s gasoline tax as a way to provide some relief from rapidly increasing fuel costs.

“New Yorkers have been struggling under the weight of inflation for months and are now facing some of the highest gas prices ever,” Senator Gallivan said. “Residents and small businesses need a break. The state should use some of its budget surplus to provide relief to drivers in the form of a fuel tax holiday.”

Average gas prices in New York as of Thursday, March 17 were $4.40, higher than the $4.28 National average, according to AAA.

Gas taxes vary per county in New York. Oneida is among the highest at nearly 9% of the combined state, county, and city taxes. Onondaga and Madison counties come in at 8%, according to the Department of Taxation and Finance. Those taxes are what help pay for hundreds of construction and repair projects across the state. Nearly $2.8 billion in gas taxes are generated every year in New York.

The proposed legislation would suspend a portion of that tax from May 1 through December 31, 2022, and authorizes a local opt-in to suspend local sales taxes on gasoline.

The lower prices from suspending these taxes must be passed on to consumers, who will save $648 million.

New York lawmakers aren't the only ones trying to put a pause on the gas tax. Several other states have similar pieces of legislation. There's even a push on the federal level that is gaining momentum among Senate Democrats, according to The Hill.

The proposed legislation in New York heads to the House of Representatives for consideration.