A number of state legislators have been pushing for a gas tax holiday due to rising fuel costs.
Back in 2022, when Russia invaded Ukraine, the state suspended the gas tax, saving drivers about 16 or 17 cents a gallon.
"Our conference has proposed a gas tax holiday multiple times this session," said Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt of Niagara County on WBEN.
"Governor Hochul was the governor then, and democrats were in charge of the Legislature as they are now. The difference," he said, "was that Joe Biden was president and democrats were concerned about the mid term elections in 2022. Fast forward to 2026, President Trump is in the White House and democrats are hoping to use high gas prices as an issue in the upcoming mid terms. That's the only difference," he said.
Several states are suspending or cutting the gas tax.
Recently Kentucky cut its tax by 10 cents and Georgia suspending its 33 cent a gallon tax. Many other states are considering it.
"It's the right thing to do," insisted Ortt. "And the only reason they have resisted doing it, is because of who sits in the White House at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue."
He added that it's not life changing, but it would be some relief that the state could provide.
Drivers filling up in Erie County are currently paying 70 cents in taxes on a gallon of gasoline. It breaks down this way. The federal tax on a gallon of gas is 18 cents, state tax is 17 cents and Erie County's tax is almost 19 cents a gallon.
You can see a full breakdown of the gas tax here.
"the only reason they have resisted doing it, is because of who sits in the White House"
"the only reason they have resisted doing it, is because of who sits in the White House"
