Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D-Utica/Rome) announced her support for a one-year suspension of state gas and diesel fuel taxes to combat surging prices at the pump. The national average price per gallon has surpassed $4 – the highest level since 2008[1] – following the recent Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“Between supply chain bottlenecks and international sanctions against Russia, working families here in the Mohawk Valley and across New York are feeling the pain of sky-high gas prices,” said Buttenschon. “Surging costs are especially harmful for essential workers who often can’t take public transit to work and rural families who have to drive farther distances for work, school and essential goods. At a time when Mohawk Valley families are facing significant financial hardships, it’s critical that we do everything we can to help New Yorkers keep more of their hard-earned money. A short-term suspension of the gas tax is a commonsense solution to these challenges, and I’ll keep fighting to make this a reality.”

Under current law, New York State has several taxes on gasoline, in addition to an 18.4 cent per gallon federal excise tax. This includes an 8-cent excise tax, 17.3-cent petroleum business tax, 8-cent flat tax and 0.05-cent petroleum testing fee per gallon sold. Most counties in New York also charge a 4% sales tax on gasoline sales.[2] The surge at the pump represents one of the fastest price hikes in modern U.S. history and it’s important for New York to take steps to help residents weather these increases, noted Buttenschon.

[1] www.cnbc.com/2022/03/07/gas-prices-are-heading-to-a-new-all-time-record.html

[2] dailygazette.com/2022/03/07/more-calls-to-halt-gas-tax-as-pump-prices-set-capital-region-record