Allegany County: Legislators want Albany to cough up money the county is owed

This resolution will be considered by the Allegany County Legislature Monday at 2 p.m.:

RESOLUTION CALLING ON GOVERNOR ANDREW M. CUOMO AND STATE LEGISLATIVE LEADERS TO RESTORE REDUCTIONS TO COUNTIES SALES TAX

 

Offered by:  Ways & Means Committee

 

            WHEREAS, the County of Allegany has always been fiscally conscious, and 

            WHEREAS, the COVID-19 Pandemic has placed a fiscal burden on Allegany County as well as the State of New York and the other 61 counties, and 

            WHEREAS, sales tax revenue is an important and vital revenue for all counties to assist in keeping property taxes at a minimum, and 

            WHEREAS, portions of internet sales tax payments due to Allegany County were diverted by the State of New York in 2019, 2020, and plans diversion in 2021 of more internet sales tax to be used by the State of New York for AIM (Aid and Incentives for Municipalities) funding the State is responsible for, and 

            WHEREAS, portions of sales tax payments due to Allegany County were diverted by the State in 2020 and plans to divert Allegany County sales tax again in 2021 to be used by the State to aid in funding distressed hospitals, and 

            WHEREAS, Allegany County has no say in this diversion of sales tax, and 

            WHEREAS, the loss of this revenue has caused fiscal stress and budget uncertainty for Allegany County while increasing pressure on property taxes, and 

            WHEREAS, the Allegany County Board of Legislators asserts that all sales tax revenue should be restored to the counties, now, therefore, be it 

            RESOLVED: 

            1.         That the Allegany County Board of Legislators calls upon Governor Andrew M. Cuomo and the State Legislature to put a stop to the diversion of Allegany County’s sales tax, both regular and internet sales tax, and return all diverted sales tax money back to Allegany County. 

            2.         That the Clerk of this Board is directed to send a certified copy of this resolution to Governor Andrew Cuomo, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Senator Charles Schumer, Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Joseph M. Giglio,  the New York State Association of Counties and the Inter-County Association of WNY.