State Senator Greg Ball [2] (R/C—Patterson) introduced legislation last week aimed at saving consumers money at the gas pump.
Ball’s “Fair Gas Pricing” bill focuses on zone pricing, gas taxes and unfair cash vs credit pricing displays at service stations.
“We are getting mugged at the pump from all sides by ever increasing gas prices,” Ball said. “Whether it’s the extra 10 cents per gallon to pay with a credit card, or the extra 30 cents per gallon because you bought gas in the wrong neighborhood, or even the 33 cents per gallon for buying in New York State, Big Oil and Big Government should not smile and watch their coffers grow as consumer misery skyrockets.”
One component of the legislation would amend the 2008 ban on zone pricing to utilize the recommendations of the state Attorney General’s Office by clearly defining “Geographic Market” as a factor of operating costs only.
“In some parts of my district the disparity in gas prices from town to town is over 30 cents a gallon,” Ball said. “Rules against zone pricing need to be made more strict, and penalties need to be levied upon corporations who continue this practice.”
In addition, Ball’s proposal would limit the price difference for cash and credit prices to the three percent fee gas stations pay to process credit cards, require the labeling of debit card pricing and suspend the three separate state taxes on fuel during the Memorial Day, Independence Day and Labor Day holiday weekends.
Counties also have the option to provide an additional 16 cent cut, which would save motorists 49 cents per gallon. (ARTICLE [3])
