Higgins Promises to Look Into Gas Prices

Last week, the Triple-A announced that Western New York had the highest gas prices in the Continental U-S. Congressman Brian Higgins has promised to look into the situation. Gas prices were again higher in Western New York than anywhere else in the state Monday, according to Triple-A. The average for self-serve regular unleaded was two-77, while the statewide average was just two-62. The national average is now two-22.

Buffalo has Highest Gas Prices

A top ranking we'd rather not have: Buffalo now has the highest gas prices in the continental United States, according to the Triple-A. The average price of a gallon of regular is $2.85, well above the national average of $2.31. Regular gas in Rochester today averages $2.75. In Albany it's $2.55; in Syracuse, $2.50. Even New York City has a lower average price at $2.77.

State Senate Proposes Alternative Tax Plan

A plan from State Senate Democrats that would give each New York household one hundred dollars. According to Senator Antoine Thompson, the Senate is considering a rebate check program that would cost $300 million vs. a $600 million cost for the gas tax holiday. The measure will be introduced this week in Albany.

Legislators Call for Gas Tax Cap

Two Erie County Legislators are calling for a cap on the county's share of gasoline tax. County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz is against a cap because he says it would cost the county money and provide no real savings to consumers. Poloncarz points out that oil companies have not passed such savings along to drivers.

Schumer Wants Saudi Deal Blocked

With gas prices creeping closer to four-dollars a gallon, New York Senator Charles Schumer says he knows what would bring prices down. Schumer wants Congress to block a multi-million-dollar arms sale between the Bush Administration and Saudi Arabia. Schumer says if Saudi Arabia started producing oil at the level it was back in 2005, prices at the pump would fall by 35 to 50 cents a gallon. New York's senior senator says at that time, the Saudis were pumping 800-thousand more barrels a day. According to the Lundberg survey, prices at the pump have climbed 15 cents over the past two weeks. The new national average for a gallon of regular unleaded is three-dollars and 62 cents.

State, County Gas Tax Cuts Debated

Republicans in the State Senate say they want to have the state drop taxes on gasoline this summer. It would save some 32-cents per gallon. Democrats however point to the huge state deficit and say this is not the time for such actions. The debate has even filtered down to the local level. One Republican in the Erie County Legislature wants county taxes on gas also dropped for the summer, but County Executive Chris Collins, also a Republican, says we don't have the ability to absorb that kind of revenue hit at this time.

State Gas Tax Proposal

State Republican leaders presented a proposal to eliminate New York's tax on gasoline for the summer. State Senator George Maziarz spoke out in favor of the proposal this morning with Donahue and Moore on WECK, and explained why Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is opposed.

Here We Go Again with Gas Prices

Another day, another record price for gas! According to the Triple-A, gasoline prices in Western New York are at another all-time high. The latest survey set the average at three-42 a gallon. Gasoline has gone up a nickel over the last two weeks.