POUGHKEEPSIE – The Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously this week to cap the county’s sales tax on gasoline and highway diesel at $3.00 per gallon starting June 1st, pending approval from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. The temporary relief expires in December 2026.
Chairwoman Yvette Valdés Smith (D-Fishkill) said, “The hardworking people of Dutchess County are hurting. The leadership of the Republican federal administration has been a disaster for everyone who’s not a millionaire or a billionaire. Whether it’s tariffs driving up the cost of goods, disastrous energy and environmental policies skyrocketing our energy and utility bills, or irresponsible and downright dangerous foreign policy like the War in Iran, which has caused our gas prices to go up more than a dollar in barely a month. This Legislature cannot allow the County to profit off of the people’s pain.”
The county budget office anticipates the measure will result in a loss of approximately $460,000 in sales tax revenue, but the Democrats say there will be no loss, as this year’s sales tax revenue has exceeded expectations due to rising gasoline prices.
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