Washington, DC - Today, the Associated Press reported that the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission would be releasing their two year study to Congress, advocating for a 40 cent increase in the federal gasoline tax to pay for the nation's crumbling infrastructure. 

The federal gas tax is currently at 18.4 cents per gallon.  New York State has the third highest gas tax in the nation at 59.3 cents per gallon according to the American Petroleum Institute   If the new recommendations are instituted, Upstate New York families will be paying a dollar per gallon over already record high gas prices. 

Below is a statement from Rep. Gillibrand:

"I do not believe that increasing taxes on Upstate New York families is the best solution given that we have already seen record high gas prices, and I will strongly oppose efforts to increase the gas tax.

"Our families in Upstate New York already pay too much in taxes.  Currently, New York has one of the highest gasoline taxes in the country and nearly doubling that tax would be a huge burden for families trying to keep up with rising health care, education and energy costs.

"Gasoline taxes are regressive, and they hit working and middle class families the hardest.  In our rural and suburban district, families often have additional travel time to school, work and recreation, and this increase will also severely affect New York's farmers as they try to bring their products to the market.  In addition, this type of tax increase will hurt small businesses by increasing the cost of doing business, including, shipping and travel. 

"This country faces a serious challenge in meeting the needs of our nation's crumbling infrastructure.  The federal government must cut the waste to ensure we have the necessary resources to address this problem, without hurting our working families. 

"I strongly supported the new Pay-As-You-Go spending rules last January, and I have sponsored a balanced budget amendment.  I recognize that investments from the federal government cost money; however, I firmly believe levying a tax on working families is the wrong way to support these important infrastructure needs. Our government still spends too much."