By Hank Russell
A Nassau County legislator is calling on her colleagues to immediately support her bill that would cap the tax on gas purchases for motorists for six months.
Joined by her Democratic colleagues at an April 20 press conference, Cynthia Nuñez (D-Valley Stream) introduced legislation that would temporarily cap the taxable price of gasoline and diesel for Nassau County’s local 4.25% sales-tax calculation at $3.00 per gallon from June 1 to December 1. She urged her colleagues to bring it up for an emergency vote at next week’s scheduled legislative session.
According to the American Automobile Association (AAA), the average price for a gallon of regular gas is $4.02. While that is higher than in Suffolk — which is approximately $3.99 a gallon — it is lower than the state average ($4.10) and about the same as the national average.
At current prices, Nuñez said, the measure could save Nassau motorists millions of dollars collectively over the life of the bill by preventing the county from collecting extra tax revenue on soaring pump prices. The proposal is aimed at giving drivers real, targeted relief as rising fuel costs tied to the conflict involving Iran ripple through family budgets.
“Families in Nassau County should not be forced to pay more and more every time an international crisis sends gas prices through the roof,” Nuñez said. “This bill is a simple, targeted way to give residents relief where they need it most — at the pump. Other counties have already acted. Nassau should not be standing on the sidelines while working people get squeezed.”
Nuñez said the Legislature should move immediately rather than wait while residents continue paying inflated costs to commute to work, get their kids to school, and manage day-to-day life.
Other counties across New York, led by both Republicans and Democrats, have already moved forward with similar gas-tax relief measures, Nuñez said. Rockland County approved a $3-per-gallon cap on the county sales-tax base for gasoline, Onondaga County passed a cap taxing only the first $4 per gallon, Putnam County approved a $3-per-gallon cap on county sales tax for gasoline and diesel, and Dutchess County approved a similar $3-per-gallon cap pending state approval.
The Nassau proposal echoes the county’s bipartisan action in 2022, when all nineteen legislators unanimously approved temporary gas-tax relief in response to soaring fuel prices after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Nuñez said. This bill follows that same playbook: provide temporary relief when costs spike and residents need help
Nuñez’s colleagues in the Democratic Minority Conference also called for swift action.
“People in Nassau County are already paying too much for too many basic necessities and rising gas prices only add more strain,” Minority Leader Delia DeRiggi-Whitton (D-Glen Cove) said. “This is a practical, temporary step that can give residents some breathing room, and we should move it without delay.”
“When families are forced to spend more just to fill up their tanks, that means less money for groceries, rent, prescriptions, and everything else,” Legislator Arnold Drucker (D-Plainview) added. “This proposal is about recognizing that reality and taking responsible action to ease the burden.”
Legislator Debra Mulé (D-Freeport) said, “Working families, seniors, and commuters should not have to absorb the full shock of another international crisis at the gas pump. This legislation offers targeted relief and reflects the kind of common-sense response residents deserve from their government.”
“For many hardworking families, there is no way around the cost of driving,” Legislator Carrié Solages (D-Valley Stream) said. “They cannot simply opt out of getting to work, school, or medical appointments. This measure would provide real relief at a moment when people need it most.”
Legislator Scott M. Davis (D-Rockville Centre) said: “Nassau residents rely on their cars every single day to get to work, get their kids to school, and take care of their families. If we have the ability to provide meaningful relief during a spike in gas prices, then we should act and we should act now.”
“This is exactly the kind of targeted relief government should be focused on — timely, practical, and aimed directly at helping residents manage rising everyday costs,” Legislator Olena Nicks (D-Uniondale) said. “Nassau County should not lag behind when other counties are already stepping up.”
Legislator Viviana Russell (D-West Hempstead) said, “Residents expect us to respond when rising costs put more pressure on their household budgets. This bill would send a clear message that Nassau County is prepared to act in the public’s interest and provide relief when it is needed.”
Nuñez urged legislative leadership to bring the bill to the floor next week so Nassau residents can begin seeing relief as soon as state law allows.
Long Island Life & Politics reached out to the Nassau Legislative Majority and asked if they will support Nuñez’s bill.
“The Democrats in the Nassau Legislature aren’t fooling anyone with their taxing ways and financial priorities,” spokesperson Mary Studdert said in a statement. “Their latest stunt regarding a gas tax holiday won’t distract Nassau neighbors who remember that Democrats in the Legislature voted for a $150 million tax hike and voted against funding bulletproof vests for our police. Instead of this stunt, the Democrats should demand that the governor [Kathy Hochul] stop spending billions of Long Islanders’ tax dollars to bail out New York City and [Mayor Zohran] Mamdani’s socialist programs.”