Why New York Republicans Are Pushing to Suspend Gas Taxes

New York Republicans want Gov. Hochul to act quickly to save New Yorkers money at the pump.

This week, the New York State Senate Republican Conference wrote a letter to Governor Hochul urging her to suspend the state taxes on motor fuel and diesel.

Republicans Want Gas Tax Suspension

According to Senate Republicans, suspending the tax would save New Yorkers 16 cents per gallon.

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"Suspending the tax would provide an estimated $0.16 per gallon cost savings to New York households who are struggling with the cost of gas prices at the pump and diesel prices indirectly through increasing prices of consumer goods," lawmakers told Hudson Valley Post in a press release.

Officials in the Hudson Valley, including Dutchess, Onondaga, Rockland, Putnam, and Ulster counties, have already adopted sales tax reductions when purchasing gas.

According to AAA, as of May 26, the average cost for a gallon of regular fuel in New York is $4.59. That's an increase of over 40 cents a gallon in the past month.

One year ago, on this date, New Yorkers were $3.13 a gallon.

What Letter To Hochul Reads

The letter to Hochul reads:

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 [Governor Hochul] strongly supported. At the time you stated:
‘Fuel prices have surged in recent months, hurting working families and small businesses the most and it is critical that we provide New Yorkers relief by suspending certain fuel taxes for the next seven months, New York is providing $609 million in direct relief to New Yorkers – a critical lifeline for those who need it the most.’
In 2022, the State estimated the fuel tax suspension provided a reduction of at least $0.16 per gallon statewide.