New York suspends 16-cent gas tax through the end of the year
NEW YORK -- As gas prices reach record highs, New York drivers are finally getting some relief at the pump.
Starting Wednesday, a gas tax break takes effect in the state and lasts through the end of the year.
CBS2's Elijah Westbrook caught up with drivers at a Sunoco gas station in Yonkers, where regular gas was $5.19 -- until today.
"I'm about to get a scooter," Yonkers resident Richie Torres told Westbrook.
"It's been tough, man. I have two vehicles," Yonkers resident Leo Periera said.
Now, regular gas is $4.99, thanks to the gas tax holiday enacted by Gov. Kathy Hochul and other state leaders.
For the next six months, drivers will save 16 cents per gallon, amounting to approximately $585 million in total savings.
The governor encouraged local municipalities to follow suit, and some are.
State and local politicians, eager to show voters they are fighting inflation, orchestrated the moves.
Watch Elijah Westbrook's report
On Long Island, Nassau and Suffolk counties have decided not to tax any amount on gas spent over $3 a gallon. This will last until the end of the year.
"We're giving something back to our residents," Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman said last month. "We just decided, let's take a regional approach."
"It will give people a sense, and this is important as well, that government is taking action," Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone added.
Rockland County is doing the same, except it will not tax any amount over $2 a gallon until Feb. 2023. Westchester has also hopped on the bandwagon, not taxing gas more than $3 a gallon until August 31.
"That is a savings that will depend on whatever the price is of gasoline," Westchester County Executive George Latimer told CBS2's Tony Aiello. "But in candor, Tony, it is not a large amount of dollars ... You might save a couple of bucks in that particular gas-up from what the county is doing."
Some drivers Westbrook spoke to were on the fence about the changes.
"We were hoping for more, 16 cents is not enough," Periera said.
"Too expensive. A lot of money, a lot of money," said Yonkers resident Henry Alcantala.
"It helps, anything helps," Torres said. "But it's not really making a big difference."
Westchester is also giving bus riders a break. Beeline Transit is free through Labor Day, saving monthly pass-holders almost $600 over the course of the summer.
"I think it's fair and it is going to help a lot of people out," one rider said.
It may convince some drivers to try mass transit.
"It's free to ride the buses. We think that might be an incentive for them to try it," Aiello said.
Gas prices in New York are 60 percent higher today than one year ago. Right now, the average price of regular gas in New York hovers around $4.93.
Summer demand and a partial embargo on Russian oil could drive prices even higher before Labor Day.
