A legislative effort to bring relief to gasoline prices was blocked today in the New York State Assembly, according to Assemblyman Marc Butler (R,C,I-Newport). The measure, which the minority Assembly Conference introduced as part of a budget “clean up” bill, was voted down by the Assembly majority, 77-63.
“With the price of gasoline again rising, many of my constituents have expressed their concerns and asked for assistance from the legislature,” Butler said. “Our proposal would have suspended the sales tax on gasoline costs above two dollars per gallon and given local communities the option to suspend their portion of the tax as well. The suspension of the state and local sales tax would bring an eight cent per gallon decrease on gas costing more than two dollars per gallon.”
Similar legislation has already been passed by the State Senate.
“The high price of gasoline statewide could have a big impact on families and tourists this summer during the prime traveling season,” Butler concluded. “My district is reliant on tourism as an important part of its economy, and this measure would have eased the burden on our state’s motorists.”
Butler pledged that he would continue to look for a means to reduce the burden of gasoline prices on New York residents.