State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, “As you know, the Senate and Assembly are in continuous discussions with the governor to finalize the 2022-23 NYS budget. Towards that end, I recently led the Senate in advancing our one-house budget resolution,” which includes.
- Suspension of New York’s gasoline tax. Since the beginning of the Ukraine War, we all have been feeling pain at the pump. But relief could come as early as May 1, under the proposal advanced by the Senate as part of the budget. The 48-cents a gallon tax would be suspended for seven months, at least through the end of 2022.
In a disuccsion with reporters on March 25, Governor Kathy Hochul, for the first time, indicated a willingness to repeal the gas tax temporarily. “It’s on the table. We’re having those conversations. Again, the timing of the budget is perfect to address this.”
“We are very sensitive to this especially since the vast majority of our state does not have public transportation options available to them. The costs keep going up and up and it’s hard. It’s something we’re very senstive to and we’ll continue talking about in the budget context.”
Several states have already passed a gas tax repeal as the average cost per gallon is $4.35, including Connecticut. It is encouraging to know that help will be coming for New Yorkers in May, now that Senator Stewart-Cousins and Governor Hochul support a temporary repeal.
If the repeal passes, New York would loose about $1 Billion in tax revenues, which are used for mass transit and road and bridge repair. Opponents to any repeal of the gas tax in coming from environmental organizations, and from mass transit groups, who want gas taxes to be higher so that New Yorkers will use more electric cars or take the bus or train.
