With gasoline prices now approaching $4 per gallon putting a strain on New York's hardworking families and small businesses, Senator Kemp Hannon announced he supports legislation to provide much needed relief at the gas pump by suspending New York State's gasoline taxes during the summer travel season.

The bill (S7594-A) will eliminate the New York State taxes on gasoline from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day.

If the federal, state and local governments all temporarily suspended their taxes, New Yorkers would save 65 cents per gallon at the pump, he said.

If the state alone enacts this tax relief plan, New Yorkers would save approximately 32 cents per gallon in state gasoline taxes, including 16 cents from the state's Petroleum Business Tax, 8 cents from the state sales tax and 8 cents from the state's Motor Fuel Excise Tax, Hannon noted.

"People have had enough. The cost of everything from gas to milk has increased. We need to look at every possible way to save money, and it begins with suspending the State gas tax," Senator Hannon said. "A suspension of the gas tax has been proposed by major presidential candidates in both parties, Senators John McCain and Hillary Clinton. There is no reason New York should not follow suit."

Senators McCain and Clinton have already called for a suspension of the 18.4 cents per gallon federal gasoline tax during this period, which would significantly increase the potential savings, Hannon said.

Meanwhile, under the bill, local governments would have the option of waiving their local sales taxes of approximately 14 cents per gallon.

The bill will be structured in a way that provides a guarantee of sufficient state resources to fully fund the state's Dedicated Highway and Bridge Trust Fund. __The Senate plan would also reduce gasoline costs to local small businesses, leading to lower prices on consumer goods and services and give a boost to the state's vital tourism industry, Hannon added.