Error Stalls Suffolk County Gas Tax Cap

The Suffolk County Legislature released a statement Wednesday saying there is a technical error causing a delay in the implementation of a cap on sales tax on gasoline passed by the legislature three months ago and scheduled to begin on March 1.

“I regret to inform the public that due to a technical error the new law capping the gasoline sales tax when the price reaches $3 a gallon was never filed with New York State and thus cannot be implemented now, as we hoped it would be,” Suffolk County Legislature Presiding Office William Lindsay (D- Holbrook) said in a statement.

“We all looked forward to the tax relief this tax cap, which earned wide bipartisan support, would have given to the consumer during these times of rapidly increasing gasoline prices," he said.

Lindsay said state officials notified the legislature that it has to pass a new resolution, something they hope to do during a special meeting on Thursday. A representative from Lindsay's office said the tax cap would go into affect 90 days after the resolution is presented to the state.

Leg. John M. Kennedy Jr. has asked County Exec. Steve Levy to file a Certificate of Necessity so the gas cap legislation cans be voted on Thursday, Lindsay added.

“I am disappointed that a legal clerical error will cost Suffolk County residents some much needed relief at the gas pump,” Leg. Tom Muratore said in a statement. “Our residents expect and deserve more from the legislature’s internal operations. Hopefully, my colleagues in the Legislature will assist me in moving this legislation forward so the taxpayers of Suffolk County will realize this much needed cost savings.”

According to Robert Lipp, deputy director of the Suffolk County Legislature Budget Review Office, the savings with this tax cap for the average consumer is one penny per gallon, or $8 per year based on 12,000 miles/year at 20 mpg. 

Lipp projected the revenue the tax cap would have brought the county was $3.8 million (based on a $3.50 per gallon projection). The county budget is expected to be $1.9 billion next year.