State tax could be lifted from gas prices
By
Pat Bailey
Story Created:
Apr 29, 2008 at 9:48 PM EST
Story Updated:
Apr 29, 2008 at 10:16 PM EST
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
Most Popular