'I could use every cent.' Nassau legislators call for suspension of gas tax as prices at the pump grow

Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams announced a proposal to suspend the gas tax to help with rising gas prices.

News 12 Staff

Mar 10, 2022, 3:32 AM

Updated 1,008 days ago

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A new proposal by some Nassau legislators is hoping to save residents a little at the pump.
Nassau County Legislature Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams announced a proposal to suspend the gas tax to help with rising gas prices.
If it is approved by the majority of the county Legislature and the state, it could save residents close to 20 cents a gallon.
"It's hurting us across the line," says Nassau Legislator Delia DeRiggi-Whitton. "So many of us are on, so many people are on fixed incomes. They are getting hit in the supermarket and the gas stations. So this is a creative way that Nassau County has come up with, something that's really effective and something that residents really want to see."
Residents tell News 12 that every little bit helps.
"Everything costs more money," says Woodbury resident Renee Borenstein. "My oil to heat my house, which I am in more now. So, yes, I'm a single parent, I could use every cent."
Residents News 12 spoke with were mostly in favor of the proposal, saying every little bit helps in a time like this.
Andy Harris, of the Long Island Gas Retailers Association, says he doesn't think it will make much of a difference if the gas prices continue to increase.
"I really don't think it's going to make that much of a difference if the price keeps going up," Harris says. "If the price right on average is at $4.50 a gallon and the price does to $5, $6 a gallon, 20 cents a gallon isn't going to make much of a difference. Ideally, you want to have the state include themselves in that sales tax and have the feds include their sales in that tax."
Harris says if the state and federal government gets on board, it could mean a savings of close to 50 to 60 cents a gallon.
He believes any proposal will be tough to get approved with how much money is being made on the rising gas prices.