SEWARD PETITION:

CUT THE GAS TAX!

ONEONTA – State Sen. Jim Seward, R-Milford, today announced the launch of an on-line petition drive in support of his initiative to cut New York’s gas tax.

“One of the leading national new stories is lower gasoline prices, but unfortunately, here in New York, the price drop hasn’t been quite as steep as in other states,” said Seward.  “One of the main factors keeping our gasoline prices above the rest of the nation – taxes.”

When purchasing gasoline in New York, consumers are faced with a laundry list of taxes that add up to approximately 63 cents in combined federal, state and local taxes.

“Driving to the grocery store, the doctor, or to pick up the kids from any number of locations is a reality of life where we live.  Higher gasoline costs are a constant budget burden.  The price at the pump also hurts our small businesses and damages the tourist trade many depend on,” said Seward.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN CUT-THE-GAS-TAX PETITION

Adding insult to injury Seward points out that, according to a 2014 report from the state comptroller, only 22 percent of the taxes collected by New York State are used for road and bridge construction.

“In 2006, I helped cap the state sales tax on gasoline at a maximum of 8 cents a gallon.  However, there are several other taxes that everyone pays at the pump that keep going up.  We need to get these under control.  Further, we need to make certain that any taxes collected are used to improve our roads and bridges, not siphoned off for other state expenditures,” Seward added.

Along with calling for a cut in New York State gasoline taxes, Senator Seward is also supporting legislation (S.2973) designed to reinforce laws prohibiting the practice of zone pricing.

“Prices need to be somewhat uniform across the state.  That’s why I supported the 2008 zone pricing law, now in effect, which prohibits oil companies from basing prices on the demographics of a certain area. This new measure would strengthen the original law and help bring down gasoline prices that are kept artificially high,” Seward said.

Senator Seward’s petition to “Cut The Gas Tax” can be found on his website, www.senatorjimseward.com, or at http://www.nysenate.gov/webform/cut-new-york-s-gas-tax.

“Gasoline prices have already started to inch up again nationally and it is an unfortunate reality that prices will ebb and flow.  However, we cannot sit idly by and allow New York’s prices to always be at the high end of the spectrum, we need to cut the gas tax,” Seward concluded.