Friday, November 6, 2026
For longtime Hempstead resident Beatriz Braxton, rising gas prices are about more than the cost of filling a tank. They’re affecting grocery bills, transportation and the daily decisions families make to stretch their budgets, particularly seniors living on fixed incomes.
Braxton, a community advocate who has lived in Hempstead for about 30 years, joined U.S. Rep. Laura Gillen at a news conference in East Meadow on Oct. 28. Together, they highlighted the financial strain facing Nassau County residents. Gillen also proposed federal legislation aimed at reducing commuting expenses.
“You have to negotiate, when you go to the supermarket and compare prices,” Braxton said. “And sometimes you have to get a less quality of food because of the prices.”
She said older residents are among those most affected by rising costs.
“And especially the senior citizens they’re in a set budget,” she said. “Sometimes you have to get a less quality of food because of the prices. Their daily routines change. It’s hard for the senior citizens, mostly.”
According to figures provided by Gillen’s office, the average price of gasoline in Nassau County reached $4.298 per gallon, a 43 percent increase from $2.99 a year earlier. Diesel prices climbed 71 percent, from $3.81 to $6.52 per gallon.
Higher diesel costs have also contributed to rising gas expenses. The rise can be passed along to local stores through higher prices for groceries and other necessities.
“While Long Islanders pour their paychecks into their gas tanks, they also pay more for their necessities,” Gillen said in a press release on Oct. 28. “Because when the price of diesel goes up, the price of everything else does too. They are being squeezed from all sides and it’s time to end this reckless war, cut costs and give Americans some breathing room.”
Rising energy prices have also been linked to the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine, which have disrupted global oil markets and contributed to higher fuel costs. Gillen has criticized the war in Iran, saying she voted six times in Congress to end the conflict and ease the financial burden on American families.
Braxton, a former parent-teacher-student association president and member of the New Hempstead Democratic Club, has spent years advocating for local families and encouraging civic participation. She frequently helps older residents attend community meetings.
Drivers also must weigh potential savings against the additional fuel needed to travel farther, she explained.
“You have to negotiate, when you go to the supermarket and compare prices.” Braxton explained. “Should I go here? Should I go there?”
To address commuting expenses, Gillen highlighted her bipartisan Lowering Commuting Costs Act. The bill, which would establish a federal income tax deduction capped at $4,080 annually, or $340 per month, for individuals and $8,160 for joint filers.
Eligible expenses would include gasoline, public transportation, parking and tolls, including New York City’s congestion pricing charges. The deduction limits would adjust for inflation and could be combined with existing pretax commuter benefits offered by some employers.
According to the bill, it would allow taxpayers to deduct eligible transportation costs they pay out of pocket. Including daily commutes to work and trips made for business purposes. If enacted, the changes would apply to qualifying expenses paid after Dec. 31, 2026.
“It’s $4,000, who doesn’t need that?” she said. “Especially with the way the economy is.”
“Of course, there’s a lot to be done in Nassau County,” she said. “In Hempstead, we need more resources every day.”
