With gas prices soaring 24 cents a gallon in the past month, Long Island drivers are feeling the pinch at the pump.

Regular unleaded on Long Island now costs an average of $3.15 a gallon, the same as one year ago.

Marly Jean Raymon, of Syosset, is frustrated. "I am paying at least $60 to fill up the gas tank; before it would be $40," she said.

Motorists aren't the only ones complaining. While New York State has imposed a cap on its gas tax, Nassau and Suffolk counties never approved a cap, despite efforts to do so last year.

Suffolk Legis. William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) said as government income from gas taxes increases, sales tax revenues lessen because people are forced to operate on tighter budgets.

"It absolutely hurts the county's financial position 'cause we have less sales tax revenue to offset our real estate taxes," Lindsay said.

Kathryn Odessa of the Long Island Gas Realtors Association recommends a flat tax on a gallon of gasoline, but lawmakers aren't putting much faith in the proposal.

"It is getting worse and worse, and they have to do something dramatic," Odessa said. Related Information:GasBuddy.com Gas Prices by State U.S. National Gas Temperature GasPriceWatch.com U.S. Department of Energy AAA Fuel Gauge Weekly U.S. Retail Gasoline Prices