HYDE PARK , NY—With costs of basic necessities rising across the board, and gas and home heating oil prices expected to skyrocket, Senator Sue Serino today launched a petition urging state officials to suspend its gas tax and bring immediate relief to hardworking New Yorkers.
“Suspending the gas tax could save average New Yorkers hundreds of dollars each year,” said Senator Serino. “For too long, state government has turned a blind eye and put blame squarely on the shoulders of the federal government when it comes to increased costs on necessities like gas and home heating oil, but the reality is there are steps the state can take to provide immediate relief to hardworking New Yorkers who are being charged more just to get to work, take their children to school or daycare, or operate their businesses. It is far past time for the politicians in Albany to hear the concerns of their constituents and do what they can to provide relief now.”
In a letter (attached), Senator Serino has urged Governor Kathy Hochul to use her authority to take action to suspend the tax immediately.
Senator Serino has also been an outspoken opponent of a measure pending in Albany that would impose an additional carbon tax and make New York’s gas tax more than 50% higher than any other state in the nation and could add as much as 55 cents per gallon at the pump.
At 46.19 cents per gallon, New York currently ranks 9th for highest gas tax in the nation according to the Tax Foundation, an independent tax policy nonprofit. If the proposed gas tax of 55 cents were added, New York would become the holder of the highest overall gas tax (101.19 cents) in the nation, far exceeding even California’s whose current tax stands at 66.98 cents.
According to AAA, New York’s latest average gas price is $3.55 per gallon, up from an average of $2.23 per gallon just last year. Last month, the State Department of Public Service reported that home heating bills could “increase by 21 percent compared to last winter.” Senator Serino and her conference have been sounding the alarm on raising gas and home heating prices since April.
Neighbors who wish to make their voices heard by signing Senator Serino’s petition can do so by clicking here.
Senator Serino also called attention to the state’s Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP), which provides financial assistance to help low income New Yorkers pay the cost of heating their homes. For more information and to determine eligibility, residents should click here.
