Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,I,C-Batavia) and his Assembly Minority colleagues have unveiled a three-point plan to offer short- and long-term relief for New York motorists. The plan would cut gas taxes, promote alternative fuels and vehicles and open up the 27 Thruway service stations to E-85 fuel.

“New York motorists pay some of the highest gas prices in the Northeast, due largely in part to taxes,” remarked Hawley. “Our plan would reduce gas taxes to the point where they will be more in line with the average Northeast gas tax rate. This would be accomplished by cutting half the state sales tax and half the petroleum business tax.”

Under the Assembly Minority plan, the remaining sales tax revenue on gasoline would be used to create the “Alternative Fuels Incentive Fund.” The fund would provide tax credits, grants, investments and other incentives to encourage the ownership of hybrid and flex-fuel vehicles and the building of alternative fueling stations and refineries to expand the availability of these fuels in New York state.

“Farmers and manufacturers in upstate New York would benefit greatly from the state’s investment in alternative fuels,” said Hawley. “Investing in alternative fuels would also reduce prices at the pumps for motorists and lead to a cleaner environment for all New Yorkers.”

“Memorial Day weekend marks the beginning of a busy travel season,” added Hawley. “By reducing taxes on gas, we can make travel and vacations more affordable for hardworking New Yorkers.”