Rising gas and diesel prices are continuing to burn a hole in New Yorkers’ pockets.<\/p>\n
According to AAA<\/a>, the state average for a gallon of gas currently matches the national average at $4.49 a gallon. For diesel, it\u2019s $6.51 a gallon.<\/p>\n With rising prices connected to a war some say is one of \u201cchoice,\u201d some political analysts say the price at the pump is becoming a growing political issue.<\/p>\n \u201cAny relief would be helpful to the consumer, sure,\u201d said driver Ellis Langlitz. \u201cI think they\u2019re too high. I understand what\u2019s going on in Iran, and I understand that until the Strait of Hormuz is open for free navigation, it\u2019s going to stay high.\u201d<\/p>\n As the war in Iran remains the primary driver behind rising prices, the calls increase over whether a gas and diesel tax holiday would benefit drivers at both the state and federal level.<\/p>\n In the Empire State, New Yorkers are paying 24.18 cents per gallon and 22.3 cents for diesel in taxes, according to the Tax Foundation<\/a>.<\/p>\n Back in March<\/a>, 15 New York state senators sent a letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul asking her to implement a gas and diesel tax holiday.<\/p>\n The governor says when the state did it in the past, companies only raised their prices \u201ceven higher.\u201d<\/p>\n Gas tax revenue primarily funds road maintenance and public transportation. If a gas and diesel tax holiday was implemented, these areas could later be impacted by the loss.<\/p>\n \u201cThe reality is the reality,\u201d said Mike Elmendorf, president and CEO of the General Association of Contractors of New York State. \u201cThese gas tax holidays are really a political gimmick. They do not provide dollar for dollar relief at the pump.\u201d<\/p>\n As prices at the pump continue to rise and affordability remains top of mind for Americans, recent polling<\/a> found \u201c47% of registered voters say the cost of living would be the single most important factor in deciding their 2026 midterm vote.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThe high gas prices are largely a function of the War in Iran right now and I think voters recognize that that was not necessarily something that the United States had to be involved in,\u201d said Jonathan Parent, associate professor of political science at Le Moyne College. \u201cSo, I think there\u2019s going to be an electoral price to pay for that.\u201d<\/p>\n On the federal level, both Congress and the president have floated the idea of a federal gas tax holiday, but so far, no decision has been made by lawmakers.<\/p>\n A federal gas tax holiday would need congressional approval.<\/p>\n