By Hank Russell
The New York State Democratic Party and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman exchanged barbs over the rise in gasoline prices that has been happening since the start of the Iran war.
The party cited an article in Newsday which reported that gas prices rose 18.2% last month, compared to March 2025’s prices. That is the largest increase in four years, according to Newsday. This follows a 4.3% drop in prices in February and a 4.7% decrease in January.
Here on Long Island, some gas stations are charging more than $4 a gallon. Even President Donald Trump said that gas prices may remain high beyond the midterm elections. Financial analysts and political experts agreed.
“High energy prices are here to stay through at least the end of the year,” Ryan Young of The Competitive Enterprise Institute told Newsday.
The rise in gas prices could be attributed to Trump’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, which prevented barges from leaving or entering Iranian ports. This was done in an effort by Trump to pressure the Iranian government to enter into a peace deal with the U.S. “Even if the Strait reopens soon, Long Island consumers should expect prices to remain elevated as the market slowly adjusts,” John A. Rizzo, an economist and Stony Brook University professor, told Newsday. “If the closure persists, inflation will accelerate.”
State Democrats blasted Trump for his actions and Blakeman for allowing the president to do this.
“Governor Kathy Hochul is putting money back in New Yorkers’ pockets at every opportunity, fighting to lower the cost of everything from car insurance to child care to your energy bill,” said party spokesperson Addison Dick. “But on Bruce Blakeman’s Long Island, gas is up 18.2% because of Donald Trump’s leadership, and Blakeman won’t stand up to him — because he’ll always put this president and whatever he wants over what New Yorkers actually need.”
But Blakeman said it’s not just high gas prices — it’s the onerous taxes and fees added to all gasoline purchases.
“Regardless of a Democrat or Republican President, New York has consistently ranked among the highest gas prices in the nation under Kathy Hochul’s entire tenure as Governor due to excessive fuel taxes and strict standards,” Blakeman said in a statement. “As Governor, I will reduce energy costs by rolling back unnecessary fuel taxes, expanding access to reliable natural gas supply, and lowering regulatory burdens that increase prices for consumers.”