(MINEOLA, N.Y.) - Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan M. Abrahams (D - Freeport) is applauding leaders of the New York State Senate for including in their one-house budget proposal language that would permit local municipalities like Nassau County to suspend its portion of the sales tax on gasoline until the end of the year.
Inclusion of this proviso in the one-house budget, which was passed by the State Senate on Monday, March 14, is an indication of growing momentum behind Nassau Democrats’ advocacy for a temporary gas tax holiday, which Minority Leader Abrahams and his Democratic colleagues have sought as a common-sense vehicle for delivering emergency relief from soaring gas prices amidst the war in Ukraine.
Minority Leader Abrahams and his colleagues first called for suspending Nassau’s portion of the gasoline sales tax on March 9. Since that time, numerous published reports have illustrated how soaring gas prices are taking an increasing toll on local businesses and families.
A Friday, March 11 report in Newsday highlighted how food banks and pantries across Long Island are “reporting major upticks in demand in recent weeks” that have only been exacerbated by a spike in fuel prices during the war in Ukraine. Additional reporting on local business owners considering increased delivery fees further shows the ripple effect that is being felt across every economic sector.
However, Nassau Republicans have thus far been unmoved and “don’t seem to be on board” with the Minority Caucus’ common-sense approach to delivering immediate relief to residents.
“We are gratified that Senator Skoufis and the New York State Senate Majority heeded our call for emergency action that will ease the sticker shock that Nassau residents are experiencing when they fill their gas tank,” Minority Leader Abrahams said. “While this is an important step forward, our work is not complete until its inclusion is secured in the final State budget. We once again urge County Executive Blakeman and our Republican colleagues in the Legislature to join us in supporting this approach for delivering real and lasting relief for consumers.”