State Senators Take Aim at Gas Credit-Cash Price Gap

Amid residents outcry over gas stations charging a , two of Long Island's state senators are bringing forth legislation to take aim at the problem. 

Patch found that a Smithtown Mobil station, at 819 West Jericho Turnpike, that sparked regional  to use their credit cards rather than cash has pushed the gap even higher. As of Thursday, Mobil had a cash price of $3.59, while tacking on $2 extra to make its credit price $5.59 per gallon.

Newsday reported that state Sen. Lee Zeldin, R-Shirley, is bringing forth legislation that would require gas stations to post the credit price on roadside signs if it's more than 7 percent above the cash price. Zeldin expects to have the bill completed in the next week, when he will then seek support from the Assembly. 

"I think consumers deserve fair notice before pulling into a gas station of whether or not that particular station is essentially tricking them into pulling in," Zeldin told Newsday. 

The state senator said he would discuss the bill with the Long Island Gas Retailers Association. 

Read more about Zeldin's proposed legislation to combat the cash-credit gas price difference. 

Zeldin may find his legislative proposal in competition with his colleague's ideas. State Sen. Kenneth LaValle, R-Port Jefferson. LaValle introduced a bill March 15 to prevent gas stations from charging more than a 5 percent difference at the pump between cash and credit purchases.

His remarks were in response to reports that some area gas stations charging  — per gallon — to purchase gas with a credit card. Some of the same stations that are now charging up to $2 per gallon more.

Which of these state senator's potential solutions do you think is fair?