The State Capitol, Albany NY.
UPDATED: 10 a.m., June 20
ALBANY – Chautauqua County will have to wait until next week before learning if it will have the ability to raise its sales tax by half a percent.
That after both houses of the New York State legislature on On Wednesday the State Senate voted in favor of a home rule legislation giving the county permission for the sales tax hike, which would bring the county’s sales tax up to 8 percent, with clothing items and home energy fees remaining exempt.
In a statement following the vote in the state senate, Senator Cathy Young said county homeowners and businesses are in need of property tax relief, adding that the sales tax increase will provide that relief because lawmakers have pledged to reduced property taxes by at least 2 percent.
Even with the Senate giving its permission for the sales tax increase, the State Assembly has yet to act on the bill. It’s expected to return to session next week and act on the legislation.
If if both houses approve the home rule legislation, the county legislature must also formally act on the measure, which is expected to happen at a future legislature meeting. Once approved, the 8 percent sales tax will be in effect until at least November 2017.
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