New York Lawmakers Propose Gas Tax Cap

Drivers in Erie County could soon get some relief at the gas pumps. Republican lawmakers in Erie County came together to make a proposal to install a gas tax cap across the County.

Erie County Lawmakers Propose Gas Tax Cap

Under the proposal, the Gas Tax cap would be in place for the first $2 of a gallon of gas. That means that you would only pay a tax on $2 per gallon, no matter how much the price of gas is above that $2 threshold.

According to WIVB, during a press conference, Erie County Legislator John J. Mills from Eden said that the savings could be over $.10 per gallon.

“This is going to give you 12 to 14 cents a gallon at the pump, and that’s significant, I think,”

This is not the first time Republican lawmakers have made a gas tax cap proposal in Erie County. Back in June, their proposal was voted down when it came up for a vote.

Gas Prices In Western New York Slightly Down

The average cost of a gallon of regular gas in Western New York is around $4.36 per gallon, according to AAA. This is down 2 cents from last week and down 6 cents from last month.

That price is still up $1.20 per gallon from the price of gas in 2025.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz cited the ongoing war in Iran for the increase in gas prices and believes that this proposed gas cap tax would only bring minimal benefit to drivers across the county.

As someone who spends well over $60 to fill up my Wrangler, I think any amount of money back in my pocket is great. Here is hoping things can get worked out and we, the drivers in Erie County, get to start keeping more money in our pockets.

If the proposal is approved in the next session, the gas cap tax would go into effect in December.