Democrats call for 'gas tax holiday' in Nassau County

Democrats on the Nassau County Legislature are calling for a "gas tax holiday" to help motorists with the pinch of rising fuel costs since the U.S.-Israel attack on Iran.

A bill filed Monday seeks to cap the taxable amount of gasoline and diesel purchases for Nassau County’s local 4.25% sales-tax at $3.00 per gallon beginning June 1 through the end of the year.

The proposal, while similar to one enacted in 2022, does not appear to have the support of Republicans in the majority and is unlikely to be considered at the next meeting of the 19-member county legislature.

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, the Republican candidate for governor, also did not appear to back the Democrats' proposal.

The average price for a gallon of regular gas in Nassau County is $4, compared with $3 a year ago, according to the AAA. Motorists pay a combination of state and local sales tax on each gallon of gasoline purchased.

The six-month cap on the county tax at $3 per gallon would save motorists collectively $8 million if the cost per gallon is $3.87 and up to $10.6 million at $4.15 per gallon, Democrats say.

"That is real money for working families, for seniors on fixed incomes, for commuters, for trades people, for small business owners — for anyone who has to drive," said Legis. Cynthia Nuñez (I-Valley Stream), who filed the bill on behalf of the minority caucus.

Mary Studdert, spokesperson for the Republicans on the legislature, said the bill will not be considered. Republicans hold a 11-8 majority on the county legislature with the presiding officer deciding which bills get on the calendar for discussion and vote. 

In 2022, in response to surging fuel costs due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Republican-controlled legislatures in both Nassau and Suffolk counties, backed a capped local sales tax on gas at $3 per gallon, saving consumers about 5 cents per gallon at the pump.

Blakeman, who was about four months into his first term as county executive, held a joint news conference with former Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, a Democrat, in Hauppauge to announce the move. 

On Monday, when asked whether he supported the new Democratic bill, Blakeman said in a statement: "If they [Democrats] are serious about providing relief, they should be petitioning Gov. Kathy Hochul and Albany Democrats to cut state-imposed taxes and fees that are driving up costs for New Yorkers everywhere." 

Similar proposals have passed in county legislatures across the state including Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess and Onondaga, according to Democrats.

Last month, more than a dozen state senators signed on to a letter asking Hochul to enact a gas tax holiday similar to 2022 when cuts were about 16 cents per gallon in state excise and sales tax on gasoline and diesel.

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.