BATH -- Steuben County Legislature Chairman Joe Hauryski, R-Campbell, today urged the New York State Senate to immediately enact legislation protecting county sales tax authority and prevent double-digit hikes in property taxes in 2018. In a prepared statement Hauryski said: "As the New York State Legislature is currently in Albany for a special session to address outstanding issues, it is imperative that an agreement is reached to reauthorize county sales tax authority and that all related bills are adopted before this session concludes. "The Assembly has passed an omnibus bill which includes the extension of sales tax authority, for which we are grateful. We urge the Senate to follow suit and enact legislation that protects sales tax."
The 1 percent sales tax authority presently being held from passage is one of the most vital sources of revenue for Steuben County and its partner municipalities, according to Hauryski. "Should this authority be allowed to lapse by the state Senate, property taxes in Steuben County would increase approximately 23 percent in 2018," Hauryski said. "Since Steuben also shares its sales tax with cities, towns, and villages, failure to pass the reauthorization would likely force property tax increases in the municipalities as well. "If legislators leave Albany without addressing this issue, it would simply be an abdication of responsibility that would harm municipalities and taxpayers. "Steuben and counties throughout New York are in the midst of budget development for 2018, and uncertainty surrounding this revenue stream is highly problematic. Steuben implores the State Legislature to pass the sales tax extension immediately." Steuben officials also urged county residents to contact their state representatives immediately and urge the passage of sales tax reauthorization bill now:
* Gov. Andrew Cuomo: http://www.governor.ny.gov/content/governor-contact-form
* Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan: https://www.nysenate.gov/senators/john-j-flanagan/contact
* Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie: http://nyassembly.gov/mem/Carl-E-Heastie
