NASSAU – there have been Some lawmakers in Nassau County say a plan to cut the gas tax doesn’t go far enough as prices near an all-time high.
The average price of a gallon of gas on Long Island stands at $4.37, which is just 10 cents away from the record.
Drivers say they’ve had enough.
“I try to not go out as much with the car if I don’t have to,” one person says.
Nassau and Suffolk are set to cut the county gas tax starting next month.
Everything over $3 a gallon will be tax free.
Democrats in Nassau County say that’s not enough.
Legislator Arnold Drucker says the county should waive taxes above $2 a gallon, which he says is the maximum relief allowed by state law.
“It would cost Nassau County approximately $21.7 for this year in lost tax revenue,” Drucker says. “But our projected surplus in sales tax is $81 million so the county can absorb this loss.”
Democrats also want to extend the gas tax holiday until March.
Under the current law, it would end in December.
News 12 attempted to reach members of Nassau’s Republican leadership, but did not hear back.
Andy Harris, with the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association, says both party’s plans won’t make a real difference for consumers.
“If you want to take care of the taxing then take care of it from the first penny,” Harris says. “Don’t waste time to do it partially.”
There will be a special legislative hearing to discuss how much tax relief drivers will get on Monday.
It’s not clear if the Republican majority will go along with the Democrats’ proposal.
