ALBANY- Republican members of the New York State Senate are calling on Governor Kathy Hochul to temporarily suspend state taxes on gasoline and diesel fuel, arguing the move would provide financial relief to New Yorkers facing rising energy and living costs.
In a letter sent to Hochul this week, signed by Senators Rob Rolison, Bill Weber, and Peter Oberaker, as well as their Republican colleagues, the lawmakers urged Hochul to revive a fuel tax holiday similar to the one implemented in 2022, when gas prices climbed above $5 per gallon.
According to the Senators, suspending the taxes would save drivers an estimated 16 cents per gallon at the pump and could also help reduce costs tied to transporting consumer goods.
Lawmakers said New Yorkers are continuing to struggle with high energy bills, inflation, and what they described as one of the nation’s heaviest tax burdens.
“The last time gasoline prices in New York reached $5 per gallon, during the Biden Administration, the State implemented a temporary fuel tax holiday that you strongly supported,” the letter states.
The Republicans also referenced comments Hochul made in 2022 when she backed suspending certain fuel taxes for seven months.
“Fuel prices have surged in recent months, hurting working families and small businesses the most,” Hochul said at the time, according to the letter. “It is critical that we provide New Yorkers relief by suspending certain fuel taxes.”
Several counties across New York have already adopted local sales tax reductions on gasoline purchases, including Dutchess County, Onondaga County, Rockland County, Putnam County, and Ulster County. An effort to suspend sales tax on fuel in Orange County failed to secure enough votes to advance in the county legislature.
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