NORWICH – By simply putting aside the paperwork, Chenango County legislators have opted not to follow Governor Pataki’s controversial lead and cap the local sales tax on gasoline.

Pataki’s well-publicized, good will gesture that was to take effect across the state June 1 was advertised as a way for motorists to save 4 cents a gallon when the price per gallon is $3 or more. State lawmakers encouraged counties to join in by capping their sales tax as well, a move they said would make a $3 gallon of fuel 8 cents cheaper for consumers.

However, the New York Association of Convenience Stores reported last week that the state cap would probably only amount to 2.5 to 3 cents a gallon in savings because the state sale tax is figured from the price of gasoline before tariffs are added, not the price seen at the pump.