Broome County legislator Jason Garnar wants the county to cap its sales tax on gas.
“I think all levels of government we gotta do something because people really are hurting at the pump,” said Garner.
He’s proposing that they the limit the local sales tax at $3 a gallon for the rest of the year.
When the county approved its budget last year, gas prices were about $2.85 a gallon and he says the county is taking in much more than they expected.
“We’re going to be bringing in a lot more money though this gas tax,” said Garnar, “I think it’s only fair that we give a little bit back who are really hurting.”
With gas prices now topping four dollars a gallon, Garnar says under his proposal, you’d save about 5 cents a gallon here at the pump and if prices continue to increase, he says under his plan, your savings would increase as well.
“As the price goes up, there’s more money that people will save,” he said. “If we’re seeing it at $4 a gallon, people will save four cents to a nickel. If it’s $5 a gallon, people will be saving eight cents.”
For some it’s little consolation.
“If you do the math, by the time you’re driving in the parking lot and idling at the pump, there’s your five cents,” said Robert Howard of Johnson City.
But Raymond says she’ll take what she can get.
“Five cents isn’t a whole lot, but per gallon, it would help,” she said.
The county’s administration committee votes on the resolution Thursday. If the administration committee approves the proposal, it will go before the full legislature on the 19th.
-Story Courtesy of YNN’s Janelle Burrell