Republican lawmakers are calling on Gov. Kathy Hochul to suspend New York's tax on gasoline.

State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt says suspending the tax would offset the effect of rising gas and home heating oil prices and that could raise the gas tax by as much as 50 cents per gallon.

Republicans also continue to criticize a Democratic proposal for a carbon tax on fossil fuel emissions.

Ortt also says there is plenty of money in the federal budget to cover infrastructure costs without raising prices at the pump.

Republican representatives argue that in most parts of New York state, public transportation is not a viable option for residents, and gas prices could drive people out of the state.

"You're not going to reduce the number of cars on the road, because people are going to take the subway,” Ortt said. “You're going to reduce the number of cars on the road because people are going to fill up, and they're going to leave this state, and that's already happening."

Spectrum News 1 has reached out to the governor’s office for comment.