Erie County, N.Y. (WBEN) - Erie County Legislators voted unanimously Thursday in support of extending limits on taxing gasoline and diesel fuel sales.
The proposal exempts any Erie County gas tax over $2 a gallon per gallon.
"Everyone is having concerns about day-to-day living expenses," said Legislator Frank Todaro. "So this gas tax limit, we want to extend it over a longer period of time and continue the holiday, as they call it. We have to help everybody. That what the concern is, as a government entity, that's our job."
Gas is heavily taxed as is in New York State. Every gallon purchased requires the consumer to pay Federal Excise Tax, NYS Petroleum Business Tax, NYS Spill Tax, NYS Sales Tax and Erie County Sales Tax.
This extension follows the end of New York State's gas tax holiday, which ceased at the end of 2022.
"We live in a highly taxed state," said Legislator Chris Greene. "Residents work hard for the wages they earn. New York then takes a lot of that. So anything we can do to make it a bit easier for families who are struggling right now, we should."
"Even with this relief, even at $3.42 a gallon, you still pay almost 46 cents in taxes on a gallon of gas. This is a start, but we need to continue to find ways we can help," said Legislator Todaro.
New York State's proposed budget allows local governments to elect a cents per gallon tax rate to take effect at the beginning of any sales tax quarter. Erie County is requesting the Commissioner of Taxation and Finance to reduce the required 90-day notice for the resolution to 30 days.
Implementation will start in June and extend until the end of the year, Dec. 31st, 2023.