Legislator calls for fuel tax exemption for bus contractors

ALBANY, N.Y. — Last month, Assemblyman Peter Rivera reintroduced legislation that would temporarily remove the diesel fuel tax paid by school bus contractors. Rivera originally introduced the measure in 2006.

The lawmaker cited fiscal pressures on school districts in the face of rapidly rising fuel prices. Contractors currently pay as much as 85 cents per gallon of diesel in local, state and federal taxes.

Rivera also amended the bill so it would require that all school districts have in place a plan for a four-day school week. A shorter week with longer days would help school districts save on school heating, electricity and pupil transportation costs, Rivera said.

According to the bill, school districts would have to have the plans in place and submitted to the commissioner of the State Education Department by the end of August.