Legislators will not suspend fuel tax in Allegany County
By Andrew Harris
In an email today, Allegany County Chairman Phil Stockin released this memo on behalf of the board of legislators:
“The Allegany County Board of Legislators will not address a Motor Fuels Sales Tax Suspension for the tax quarter effective July 1, 2022. The next opportunity to participate in this initiative will be September 1, 2022.
New York State will reduce the motor fuels tax on June 1, 2022. The expected decrease is the state’s portion of the fuel tax for both sales and excise or .16 cents per gallon. The state anticipates consumers should see a decrease in prices based on this action. We will closely monitor the effects of this action and closely study those of others. The issue is and will continue to receive the attention it deserves to determine an appropriate resolution.
The Board of Legislators is committed to identifying meaningful options for tax reductions for all who choose to call Allegany County their home. It also fully intends to closely monitor the actions and outcomes of counties who have initiated the motor fuels tax reduction option and plan accordingly. Informal discussions have suggested there may be a better way to assist all county residents by staying the course.“
Neighboring Cattaraugus County announced last week that they would participate in the “rollback.” Steuben County has not made a public decision on the temporary tax cut, intended to cut prices at the pump this summer.
Several legislators have suggested that cutting the tax rate in Allegany county would have a negligible effect for the average driver.
The entire board is preparing for a special Committee of the Whole “Retreat” meeting tomorrow at Houghton College. The Wellsville Sun will follow up with more on that meeting as information becomes available.
