Senator Marcellino Takes Gas Tax Rollback Plan To Emergency Legislative Session

Amidst the startling spike in gas prices across Long Island and the state, Senator Carl Marcellino (R- Syosset) confirmed today that he received word from Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno that gas tax relief will be discussed as part of an emergency legislative session he has called for September 20, 2005.

This emergency legislative session follows Senator Marcellino’s immediate response to the skyrocketing gas prices when he announced yesterday his legislation to eliminate the state sales tax on gasoline. Senator Marcellino has been outspoken and insistent that during these times New York State and oil companies should not be profiting off of the hardships of drivers and consumers. It is estimated that the state has already earned between $42 million and $100 million in a windfall of tax revenue since the prices went up. He also called upon the Federal Trade Commission to investigate possible price gouging.

"An elimination of the state sales tax on gas would drop prices 4% at the pump - between 11 and 15 cents per gallon depending on prices in the $3.00 range," Senator Marcellino said. "I applaud Senator Bruno for reacting so quickly for the need to call this emergency session so we can help create relief for drivers."

It’s not only drivers feeling the punch from gas price hikes according to an e-mail Senator Marcellino received from a Hicksville business owner. "It is a disgrace that prices went up overnight, in some cases by $1.00 [per gallon]," said Ronnie Dragoon, President/Founder, Ben’s Restaurant Group, Inc. "Already, my vendors called me and are putting surcharges of $7.00 per delivery. Wholesale and retail pricing will rise dramatically. Not only do I thank [Senator Marcellino] for taking the first step at the New York State level, but we must apprise those who don’t understand the gravity of the situation at the national level."

"The rapid escalation of fuel costs is placing a severe strain on family budgets and creating anxiety about the future of our economy, and even some families’ ability to stay warm this winter," Senator Bruno said. "We need to act fast to address this emergency and help ease this burden on our hardworking citizens, even as we debate other ways to protect and strengthen New York’s economy and increase our energy independence."

Senator Marcellino said that Senator Bruno, Governor Pataki and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Speaker are discussing other proposals to consider in the emergency session including rebate checks from the gas tax windfall for the elderly to defray costs of home heating oil this coming winter.