Photo: Santeri Viinamäki (CC BY-SA 4.0)
April 5, 2022 By Christian Murray
A Queens assemblywoman has introduced a piece of legislation that aims to soften the blow of high gas prices.
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic, who represents the 25th District in central Queens, has introduced a bill that would provide a $250 rebate to New York State residents who have at least one passenger vehicle registered in their name.
“New Yorkers are trying to overcome the financial hardships exacerbated by the pandemic and we need to support them in any way we can,” Rozic said. “This fuel rebate program is absolutely crucial for all consumers as it relieves the pain at the pump, immediately lowers costs, and puts more money back in people’s pockets.”
Gas prices are currently about $4.30 a gallon, a cumulative result of supply shortages and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, experts say.
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic represents the 25th District, which covers a portion of central Queens as shown in yellow (State Assembly)
The bill, if it were to become law, would require the Department of Motor Vehicles to compile a list of all residents who would be eligible for the program within 30 days. This list would then be delivered to NYSERDA for the administration of the rebate.
State Sen. Elijah Reichlin-Melnick (D-Rockland/Westchester) carries the bill in the Senate.
The bill is one of several measures being debated by state lawmakers to address the spike in gas prices.
Another plan going before the state assembly calls for the suspension of the state gas tax. The senate has put forward a similar proposal.
A state gas tax holiday has gone into effect in a neighboring state. For instance, Connecticut has suspended its excise tax on gasoline from April 1 to June 30. The reduction equates to a drop of 25 cents a gallon.
Assemblywoman Nily Rozic (via State Assembly)
A gas tax holiday or a rebate would be popular among New York State voters. A Siena poll released March 28 showed that 70 percent of respondents were in favor of some sort of tax relief to ease the pain of high gas prices. The poll was based on the response of 804 registered voters.
But many groups in the state oppose tax holidays and rebates. Transportation advocacy groups—such as Transportation Alternatives and the Riders Alliance—argue that the state should focus on helping low-income New Yorkers who have been hit by increases in food, housing as well as energy costs.
They argue that in New York State and nationally, wealthy people driver more than lower income people.
The group also argues that a gas tax holiday would hurt the MTA, which receives a portion of the gas tax.
However, advocates for a gas tax holiday have said that the state would provide the MTA with any lost revenue from the suspension of the gas tax with other state funds.
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17 Comments
So how much do you get if you dont own a car? here in nyc if you can afford to pay the cost of living and have a car you are doing better than many. Another happy handout to the bmw drivers as they roll past all the people entering the subway. people who dont have cars suffer too maybe even more.
What about are power bills? My gas and electric bill have skyrocketed.
Gas companies are gouging drivers.
As covid cases continue to rise again in Nyc people need a way to commute without fear of catching covid. Many people are not wearing masks on the train or bus and no one is doing anything about it. People are resorting to cars and motorcycles to reduce their chances of catching covid. I drive with my windows closed because i am trying to reduce my chances of getting sick and tired of the 2nd hand cannibals smoke i am inhaling all over WQ.
Make more electric cars.
Citi bikes and mass transit should be free for low income earners.
I do not own a car but my neighbor who does told me that thieves are targeting cars and gas tanks.
good the government should be regulating businesses and deciding the prices for goods instead of the free market
ABoondy -Stop being so gullible . Gas companies are a cartel. Look up the word.,Very little free market principles in play with them.,
Please politicians, just get out of the way and stop putting obstacles up that prevent companies from providing low cost energy to us.
Manual- Cartels don’t want lower prices.
Grow up! There are cartels everywhere and it’s not always bad. sounds like your a kid who is just discovering that cartels exist. I can tell you know very little about the oil and gas industry. you should email opec+ and express your outrage and the federal reserve while your at it I’m sure they will care.
Nobody listens to somebody who doesn’t know the difference between “you’re and your”. You can tell everything someone knows from a five word comment?
@blind devotion- Just because somebody points out the flaws of one party does not automatically put that person in the opposing parties camp.
WOW, somebody touched a nerve. The “kid” sounds like he knows more than you.
Manual- There are cartels everywhere? None mentioned in your idealistic post.,
Gas prices are ridiculously high. The city should help low income residents with cars.