FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Joe Bachmeier, (845) 531-9796
SENATOR BALL’S BILL TO CREATE PUTNAM COUNTY BACK TO SCHOOL TAX FREE HOLIDAY FAILS IN ASSEMBLY
Albany, N.Y. – 6/24/2013 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson) has announced that S3878A, legislation to authorize the County of Putnam to grant a back to school tax free holiday, has passed the New York State Senate, however unfortunately wasn’t brought up for a vote in the Assembly.
The bill, which was already unanimously passed by the county legislature, would have eliminated Putnam Counties 4 percent tax rate for a 10 day period from August 16th to August 25th. Shoppers would have enjoyed a reduced tax in the county from 8.38 percent to 4.38 percent for clothing and footwear under $110.
“This legislation would have given a much needed tax break to parents of school aged children who are purchasing clothing and footwear for the approaching school year. I am glad that my colleagues in the Senate passed this bill, however it is unfortunate that the Assembly failed to deliver,” said Senator Greg Ball. “Tax free holiday’s have proven to be very popular with retailers. In other states the increase in retail sales during these tax free periods has been so high that many retailers have chosen to extend their hours. Next year, I will fight again to pass this bill and hope my colleagues in the Assembly will follow our lead.”
“I am deeply disappointed that for the second time our NYS Assembly Representative Sandy Galef (D-Ossining) was unable to steer this economic measure through the Ways and Means Committee of the Assembly after its successful passage through the NYS Senate. This bill was not as much about a sales tax exemption as it was about helping our Main Street businesses and the many families preparing to send their children back to school by shopping locally – the very message Governor Andrew Cuomo had been delivering regarding economic opportunities and education,” said Putnam County Executive MaryEllen Odell. “I would like to thank Sen. Greg Ball and the members of the Putnam County Legislature for unanimously passing this bill.”
The Putnam County Legislature, which had unanimously passed the holiday, was also very upset that the Assembly did not act on the bill.
“It is unfortunate that the Democratic Assembly did not support what should have been a bi-partisan measure for the shoppers of Putnam County,” said Putnam County Legislator Dini Lobue.
“While I am happy that Senator Ball has been able to pass this bill in the Senate, I am greatly disappointed that the Assembly has failed to act,” said Jennifer Maher, Chairwoman of the Putnam County Chamber of Commerce. “This would have been wonderful for small businesses all across Putnam and also would have been a nice break on all our taxpayers, especially parents of school aged children.”
For more information contact Joe Bachmeier at Joe@ball4ny.com (845) 531-9796.
Bazzo 06/25/13
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Bazzomanifesto Upstate 