Today, May 7, the New York State Senate passed legislation to eliminate the New York State taxes on gasoline from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.
The bill (S7594-B), sponsored by Senator Andrew Lanza, Senator Charles Fuschillo and Senator Joe Robach, would help New Yorkers save approximately 32 cents per gallon in state gasoline taxes, including 16 cents from the State’s Petroleum Business Tax, 8 cents from the State sales tax, and 8 cents from the State’s Motor Fuel Excise Tax.
The bill also authorizes strict anti-price gouging penalties for gas station owners and gasoline distributors who don’t pass along the savings from this initiative so New Yorkers get the relief they need and deserve. It also provides a guarantee of sufficient State resources to fully fund the State’s Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund.
The Senate Majority plan would also reduce gasoline costs to local small businesses and truckers, leading to lower prices on consumer goods and services, and providing a boost to the State’s vital tourism industry.
“In the absence of any comprehensive federal energy policy, New York State must do its part to ease the pain at the pump,” said Senator Fuschillo (R-Merrick), a member of the Senate’s Transportation Committee.
If the federal, State and local governments all temporarily suspended their taxes, New Yorkers would save 65 cents per gallon at the pump. With full federal, state and local participation, the average price of a gallon of diesel fuel would be reduced from $4.58 to $3.93.
The approved bill (vote 46-15) was sent to the Assembly for a vote. As of today, the bill was sent to the referred to ways and means assembly committee.
NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) already announced that he is against this bill.
May 7, 2008 at 7:35 pm
[...] wantaghnews wrote an interesting post today on NYS Senate Passes Gas Tax HolidayHere’s a quick excerptThe Senate Majority plan would also reduce gasoline costs to local small businesses and truckers, leading to lower prices on consumer goods and services, and providing a boost to the State’s vital tourism industry. … [...]