Free New York sees 'no need' for state gas tax
Updated: 05/06/08 9:15 AM
The group Free New York is calling for eliminating the state tax on gasoline sales to relieve economic hardship throughout the state.
"For too long, New Yorkers have paid among the highest gas taxes in the nation," James Ostrowski, president of Free New York, stated before a late-morning press conference. "There is no need for that. In fact, there's no need for any state gas tax."
The state gas tax adds about 32 cents to the price of a gallon of gas and generates $2 billion in annual revenue.
Ostrowski said the tax cut can be "paid for" by abolishing what he called corporate welfare — $1.6 billion — and reducing the $1.75 billion increase for public schools by $400 million.
Free New York describes itself as a not-for-profit nonpartisan public policy research corporation based in Buffalo and serving the "long-suffering taxpayers" of the state.
