Res. No. 1459
Title
Resolution calling upon the State Legislature and Governor to amend the State Tax Law to temporarily suspend the state sales and excise taxes on gasoline and to allow the City of New York to suspend its local portion of the sales tax on gasoline, and to require these tax savings to be passed on to consumers.
Body
By the Speaker (Council Member Vallone) and Council Members Berman, Koslowitz, Carrion, Eisland, Espada, Henry, Marshall, Nelson, Warden, Abel and Golden; also Council Members DiBrienza, Foster, Harrison, Leffler, Linares, McCaffrey, O'Donovan, Pinkett, Rivera and Spigner
Whereas, The price of gasoline in New York City has increased by 44% since last summer and about 70% since last winter; and
Whereas, According to the Department of Consumer Affairs, in February of 1999 the average price for regular unleaded gasoline in the City was $1.07 per gallon and in June of 2000 it had risen to $1.78 per gallon; and
Whereas, At some gas stations in the City, the price for a gallon of premium gasoline is over $2.00 per gallon; and
Whereas, This dramatic increase in gasoline prices, which in some cases could translate into hundreds of dollars just during the course of this summer for a family, is seriously affecting the budgets of working families, small businesses and all New Yorkers who depend upon their cars for transportation; and
Whereas, These dramatic price increases are in large part attributable to the rising price of crude oil, which has almost doubled in price since last summer to over $33.00 per barrel this past June; and
Whereas, Section 1105 of the state Tax Law imposes a state sales and use tax of 4% on the receipts from the sale of motor fuel, and section 1210 of such law authorizes cities to impose sales and use taxes which correspond to the state taxes, which New York City has done pursuant to section 11-2002 of the Administrative Code; and
Whereas, Section 284 of the state Tax Law imposes an excise tax on the sale of gasoline which amounts to four cents on the gallon; and
Whereas, During this period of exorbitant prices which are adversely affecting so many New Yorkers, some measure of temporary relief can be provided by state and local government in the form of a suspension of both the state and local portions of the sales tax and the excise tax on gasoline which together would total approximately 20 cents on a gallon of gasoline, and accompanying legislation requiring these tax savings to be passed on to consumers; now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the Council of the City of New York calls upon the State Legislature and Governor to amend the State Tax Law to temporarily suspend the state sales tax on gasoline and to allow the City of New York to suspend its local portion of the sales tax on gasoline and to require these tax savings to be passed on to consumers.
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