Long Island Senate Republican Delegation Fights Gas Tax Increase

Senator Mario R. Mattera (2nd Senate District) today joined Senators Anthony Palumbo (1st Senate District), Alexis Weik (3rd Senate District) and Phil Boyle (4th Senate District) at a press conference in Lindenhurst to continue efforts to stop the so-called climate and community investment act.  This proposal, which is sponsored by over 25 Senate Democrats, would increase the cost of gas by as much as fifty-five cents per gallon and increase home heating costs by more than twenty-five percent.

The legislation would impose a carbon tax of $55 per ton of fossil fuel emissions in order to reach renewable energy mandates under the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act, passed by the Legislature in 2019.

“As Long Islanders continue to deal with the financial damage inflicted by the ongoing crisis, New York State should be doing all it can to ease the burden they face.  Instead, this legislation will increase the cost for our residents to get to work, drive their kids to school, heat their homes, and shop for their households.  Our region must unite to say to Senate Democrats that we will no longer be their ATM and enough is enough,” stated Senator Mario Mattera.

Click here to watch Senator Mattera's Comments from Press Conference

“Working closely with business leaders across our region, I know all too well how our business owners and their employees just want to get back to normal.  They are hoping to climb out of debt while starting all over again and New York State needs to help them move forward with their lives.  These men and women just want to focus on getting back to work and this tax will hurt them at a time when they could use assistance.  We must make sure our voices are heard to protect all Long Islanders by preventing this gas tax increase,” stated Barbara Franco, Executive Director of the Greater Smithtown Chamber of Commerce.

According to New York State Energy Research and Development Authority, the average cost of gasoline on Long Island this month is $2.74.  A new 55-cent per gallon tax would therefore increase the cost at the pump by nearly 20%.  The so-called Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act would also levy a charge of $55 per ton of fuel emissions from all sources, including factories, schools, and the use of gasoline.  All of those costs would be borne by every New Yorker and every business in the State.

“Long Islanders and our small business community are already paying exorbitant taxes that are making it a challenge to stay on Long Island.  This proposal will now make it more difficult to not only heat our homes and get to work and school, but to enjoy all that Long Island has to offer—from camping and putting our boats in the water, to mowing the lawn and barbecuing.  After a State Budget that just increased taxes in New York by billions of dollars, I am proud to stand with my Long Island colleagues in strong opposition to this new tax proposal,” said Senator Weik.

“In the midst of a Pandemic that has ravaged our society in more ways than one, a 55-cent per gallon tax on gasoline would add to the immense financial burden that so many families across New York are experiencing,” said Senator Boyle.  “This is the last thing Long Island needs coming out of the economic downturn from the Pandemic: another tax!”

“New York is already home to some of the highest gas taxes in the nation with residents having little to showing from paying these higher rates,” said Senator Palumbo.  “Now, Senate Democrats want to dramatically increase these already costly taxes—placing new, and excessive burdens on families and businesses throughout Long Island at the worst possible time.”

In late-April, Senator Mattera joined with Senate Republican Conference Leader Robert Ortt, Senator Pam Helming, Senator Dan Stec and members of the Senate Republican Conference in Albany to speak out against this proposal.

Residents can join Senator Mattera and his colleagues in the Senate Republican Conference in fighting this unfair reach by clicking here to add their voice to this effort.