3rd Time Republicans try to Cut County Gas Tax
For the past 3 years, Republicans in the Nassau County Legislature introduced legislation to cut the gas tax for the County.
Yesterday, May 12, Minority Leader Peter J. Schmitt and the members of the Nassau County Republican caucus have introduced again a bill seeking to eliminate the county gas tax from Memorial Day to Labor Day this summer.
“Gas prices have reached $4 per gallon and people are suffering the impact of a $50-plus tank of gas. We live in a suburban area where we rely on our cars to go everywhere; to the grocery store, to the parks, to work – and even to the train station. Our residents are already overburdened with property and school taxes, which are rising faster than household incomes can withstand. As an elected representative, it is my obligation to seek out ways to provide relief,” said Legislator Schmitt.
If the base rate for a gallon of gas is $3.00, the taxes currently include: $.18 per gallon for federal tax, $.32 per gallon for New York State tax and 4.25% per dollar (or approx $.13 per gallon) for Nassau County tax. Elimination of all 3 taxes would save a driver up to $.63 per gallon of gas, and even more as the base price of gasoline continues to rise.
On a 15 gallon tank, a driver can save up to $9.45 or more, every time he or she fills up. For a 2-car household, that’s over $18.90 per week or $265 for the summer.
The Republicans sought to introduce similar legislation in both 2006 and 2007, but were blocked by the 10 member Democrat majority on the Legislature. On both previous attempts, the Presiding Officer refused to place the proposal on the legislative calendar for a vote.
The Legislature’s bill is in conjunction with New York State Senators Chuck Fuschillo (R-Merrick) and Kemp Hannon’s (R-Garden City) as well as New York State Assemblymen Rob Walker and David McDonough’s bill to provide relief from the state gasoline tax. That bill (S7594-B) passed the State Senate but is currently stalled in an Assembly committee.
NYS Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (D-Manhattan) already announced that he is against this bill.
