Gas prices have been rising steadily for months but over the past week, gasoline prices have soared to over $4 per gallon across the North Country. This unexpected increase is unaffordable to many North Country families that travel larger distances for work, school, and necessities because of how rural the region is.

The rise in gasoline prices has sparked a conversation about taxes on gasoline. There are numerous factors involved in gasoline prices which includes federal, state, and county taxes. Assemblyman Billy Jones (D-Chateaugay) announced today that he is co-sponsoring two bills that will help address the increase in gasoline prices. One of the bills would suspend state taxes on gasoline for one year. The other bill would cap the sales tax on gasoline at 25 cents per gallon, which would include all sale taxes collected by the county. Jones also sent letters to federal representatives and the chairs of both the Clinton County Legislature and the Franklin County Legislature requesting they join New York leaders and suspend or cap the sales tax on gasoline as well.

“Too many hardworking families in the North Country are now worried about putting food on their table because of the rising price of gasoline,” said Jones, “and we must act now to provide relief for those struggling to make ends meet. No one should have to choose between buying food or paying their bills just to fill up their car to get to work or school. I am proud to co-sponsor bills that will suspend or cap sales tax on gasoline to provide much-needed relief to North Country residents. We need help from our partners at the county and federal levels. That’s why I also looking forward to working with our county and federal representatives to come up with solutions to lower taxes on gasoline and fuel. There is a larger conversation to be had about keeping energy reliance homegrown in America but making changes to gasoline taxes is something that our partners in government can do to provide relief to New Yorkers.”