Assemblyman David McDonough today joined fellow Long Island Minority Assembly members at a press conference in support of legislation that would repeal the state gas taxes on gasoline sold between Memorial Day and Labor Day this year. McDonough is a co-sponsor of the legislation which was introduced by Assemblyman Rob Walker earlier this week.

"As we approach the summer months, it is outrageous to think that gasoline prices could continue to go up. Unfortunately, we all know that they will. At the state level, however, we can do something to stop prices from rising exponentially – we can repeal the state’s taxes on gasoline. I am calling on my colleagues in both the Assembly and the Senate to immediately consider this legislation in order to protect the taxpayers of our state," stated Assemblyman McDonough.

The proposed legislation would repeal the three taxes, which the state currently puts on gasoline sales. For each gallon of gas sold in New York, the state applies an eight-cent sales tax, an eight-cent motor fuel tax, and a sixteen-cent petroleum business tax, for a total of thirty-two cents. In addition to those thirty-two cents, there is also a four-cent tax that goes to the counties to use at their discretion.

Joining Assemblyman McDonough at the press conference were Assembly members Rob Walker, Joseph Saladino and Tom McKevitt, as well as Kathryn Odessa, Executive Director of the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association; Peter Holmstedt, Member of the Board of Directors of the Long Island Gasoline Retailers Association; and Jim Pavone, President of the Hicksville Chamber of Commerce.

"This strong showing of support, along with the hundreds of calls I have received from angry and concerned motorists, should be enough to convince my fellow legislators to pass this legislation swiftly," continued McDonough. "The last thing Albany should do is ignore this problem, leaving taxpayers to continue to bear the brunt of this issue, which has no end in sight."