State Senate OKs Summer Suspension of Gas Tax

ALBANY, N.Y. -- The New York state Senate passed legislation Wednesday intended to suspend the state's gasoline tax this summer. The measure does not have support in the Assembly or a commitment from the governor, Newsday reported.

The bill, which would suspend the 32-cent tax from Memorial Day through Labor Day, passed the Senate 46-15, the paper reported.

During the debate, senators asked about safeguards against price gouging, environmental opposition to lowering prices, and how consumers would respond after Labor Day, the paper reported.

The gas tax bill was in a package that included an E-ZPass discount for fuel-efficient vehicles, sponsored by Sen. Carl Marcellino, R-Syosset, N.Y., and two bills sponsored by Sen. Dean Skelos, R- Rockville Centre, N.Y., that would eliminate state sales tax on hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles and provide tax credits for biodiesel and ethanol storage facilities.

-- NYSSCPA.org News Staff

Posted on 5/8/08