State tax could be lifted from gas prices

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State tax could be lifted from gas prices

Pat Bailey

Wednesday, republican state senators will recommend nixing the state sales tax on gasoline immediately saving the consumer 32 cents a gallon.

But the democratic controlled assembly says not so fast, suggesting the gas stations would just raise their prices to make up for the loss.

A gas station attendant told WKTV tonight that the owner of a gas station, after taxes, only makes about 6 cents for every gallon of gas sold.

He also suggested, because they wouldn't be losing any money themselves, gas station owners probably wouldn't raise their prices if the state sales tax was lifted.

As gas prices continue to creep toward $4 a gallon, more and more money is coming out of the wallets of Central New Yorkers.

In an effort to ease that burden, state senators are suggesting cutting the state sales tax on gas for the summer, from Memorial day to Labor day.

Not all lawmakers think it's a great idea.

The reduction would create a shortfall in the state budget, by an estimated 500 million dollars, which is something that is a concern to some democratic assembly members who would have to sign off on the bill along with Governor Patterson before it was approved.

State senator Joe Griffo says the state senate is calling on local municipalities and the federal government to follow.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain has recently suggested the same type of act on the federal level, hoping to lower the tax and save drivers 18 cents.

However democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama looks at it as political gimmick

Thursday, May 1 at 3:34 PM MCSBM wrote ...

REMEMBER FOLKS,IF THE STATE DOSNT GET THE MONEY FROM GAS TAX,THEY WILL GET IT FROM SOME WERE ELSE,THEY JUST PASSED A UNGODLY BUDGET THAT WE MUST HAVE CASH FOR OR GO INTO OTHER PROGRAMS TO MAKE IT UP

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Thursday, May 1 at 2:54 PM Running on empty wrote ...

I must say it WILL get much worse before it gets any better!!!!

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Thursday, May 1 at 2:49 PM Anonymous wrote ...

It's pretty said when the minimum wage worker already struggling to survive isn't going to be able to afford gas to get to his low paying job much longer

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Thursday, May 1 at 12:33 PM Taberg Resident wrote ...

It's pretty bad when you have to choose between buying gas to put in your car to go to work or buy groceries! That's what its coming to.

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Thursday, May 1 at 12:31 PM Anonymous wrote ...

I think it's a little late for the overpaid politicians to try and put a bandaid on the governments mistakes.I'm a little curious where the 65 cent tax on every gallon is going. Just my opinion though.

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 5:31 PM Get Real wrote ...

If the state lifts the gas tax a large amount of revenue used to fund various state programs will be lost to not only Gas stations but to large oil/gas companies. It is only a political tactic used to look like some action is being taken to address rising fuel costs. Do not be disillusioned by Voodoonomics. The bottom line is real action at the federal and corporate level. You have to see straight to the bottom line without being distracted by tactics designed to confuse the general public.

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 2:00 PM toni wrote ...

finally some relief.

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 10:26 AM ROME RESIDENT wrote ...

THE ASSEMBLY MEMBERS AND OBAMA ARE AGAINST IT BECAUSE ITS NOT BENEFITING THEIR POCKETS. BESIDES TYHE FACT THAT US TAXPAYERS ARE PAYING FOR THEIR FUEL ANYWAY. I REALLY THINK SOMETHING NEEDS TO BE DONE ABOUT THE GAS PRICES. THEY EXPECT US TO USE OUR STIMULUS CHECKS TO HELP THE ECONOMY BUT GUESS WHAT ITS NOT GOING TO HAPPEN. I AM PUTTING MINE AWAY.

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:58 AM hmmmm wrote ...

The state makes 32 cents and the gas station makes 6 cents. And the politicians are worried the stations will raise their price????

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:45 AM me wrote ...

a barrel of oil just dropped three dollars...do you think the gas price will drop as quick as it rises when the price of oil goes up....they are right on that but not so much when it drops...go figure...

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:34 AM Dana wrote ...

I know the tax being taken off is not much but it will help considering my SUV is now 75.00 to fill (when it is not empty)

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:34 AM questioning? wrote ...

I don't see how taking away from the state will help the people of the state in the least. Please do the analyst prior to coming up with quick answers to what appears to be surmounting economic issues. The people of NYS will pay either way, unfortunately it is usually the program that doesn't get media exposure which ends of being cut off from state funding. Let's think about this people - lets support Centro, ride your bike or walk. Don't cut your grass of much!Small things make a big impact!

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 8:28 AM Confused consumer wrote ...

Gas prices are almost $4 per gallon. Oil companies are announcing record profits amounting to BILLIONS per QUARTER. Does anybody else see something wrong with this?

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:54 AM This Is sad wrote ...

Most of the Politicians dont care how much fuel cost,Look at how much money they make,not only that, but guess how pays for the fuel for their luxury cars and SUVs? The Taxpayer of course,so why worry about the consumer. If the politician could find a way to help out the consumer then everyone should go with it.Obamas calling it a political gimmick just goes to show what kind of president he really would be

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Wednesday, Apr 30 at 6:49 AM Dolgeville Resident wrote ...

The gas realy needs to go back to $1.50 a galon but it will not because all the higher ups are profiting from it.

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