(MINEOLA, N.Y.) - Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D - Freeport) applauded Governor Hochul and leaders of the New York State Assembly and Senate for reaching a tentative budget agreement that would allow Nassau County to suspend its portion of the sales tax on gasoline from June 1 through end of the year.
As part of the conceptual agreement, the State would also suspend 16 cents of its gasoline sales from June 1 until the end of the year. Inclusion of this proviso in the budget framework, which is currently awaiting final approval from legislators, is a victory for Nassau County residents who need relief from elevated gas prices amidst the war in Ukraine.
The State’s pending action comes as consumers are growing especially weary of high gas prices. 71 percent of Nassau and Suffolk residents polled said gas prices are “either a very serious or somewhat serious problem,” according to a Siena College Research Institute poll conducted March 14-17.
Minority Leader Abrahams and his colleagues in the Minority Caucus first called for suspending Nassau’s portion of the gasoline sales tax on March 9. Since that time, numerous published reports have shown that gas prices have increased the demand for help at food banks; forced local businesses to consider increasing delivery fees for services; and harmed gig workers like Uber and Lyft drivers, who are “feeling the pinch of high gas costs.” Despite these impacts, Nassau County Republicans have refused to support a local gas-tax holiday.
“The members of the Minority Caucus are relieved that New York State is heeding our call to alleviate the sticker shock Nassau residents are feeling every time they fill up their tanks,” Minority Leader Abrahams said. “Once Governor Hochul signs this budget into law, the ball will be entirely in County Executive Blakeman’s court. It is long past time for him and his Republican counterparts to get their foot off the brake so that Nassau County residents and small business owners can get the relief they need and deserve.”