STATE AND COUNTY OFFICIALS ANNOUNCE MILLIONS TO ENABLE FOR REPEAL OF DUTCHESS ENERGY TAX Press Conference Scheduled for Tuesday, April 1st Albany, N.Y. – 03/29/2014 – Senator Greg Ball (R, C, I – Patterson), Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson), Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and other local elected officials will gather on Tuesday, April 1st to announce an agreement in the New York State 2014-2015 Budget that could enable Dutchess County to repeal the recently enacted energy tax. The local tax, which took effect on March 1, 2014, imposed a 3.75 percent sales tax on all residential energy sources, including electricity and fuel oil to balance the Dutchess County budget. The state’s 2014- 2015 budget agreement includes millions in funding for Dutchess County, which could enable for the repeal of the energy tax. State and county officials will announce more information at a press conference to be hosted on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 at the Dutchess County Office Building (time to be determined). “This is what happens when public servants stop acting like politicians, and work across party lines to put people before politics. Dutchess, like many counties, has been strangled by unfunded mandates and I am proud to have worked with Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Assemblywoman Didi Barrett to secure this funding for Dutchess County, at this most critical time. Marc is to be applauded for his persistent and professional advocacy for this funding, on behalf of Dutchess taxpayers,” said Senator Greg Ball. “My hope, and I have relayed this personally, is that the county will now move forward expeditiously, and in a bipartisan manner, to fully repeal the local energy tax.” “The taxpayers of Dutchess County have been saddled for too long with soaring costs –whether it’s energy bills, unfunded mandates, or property taxes,” said Assemblymember Didi Barrett (D-Hudson). “Since I took office I have been determined to find ways to bring much needed relief to my constituents and I am pleased that working with County Executive Marc Molinaro and Senator Greg Ball we have secured the funds to provide real relief to county residents. The aid provided to Dutchess County as part of the 2014-15 state budget agreement will give the County the ability to repeal the local energy tax; once the final budget is enacted I urge them to do so as quickly as possible.” “By funding these critical yet unique Dutchess County needs, County Government will be able to reduce its net-to-county costs by approximately $6 million over the next 12 months. This assistance allows County Government to provide services that address community needs in mental health and criminal justice without the need for additional tax revenue,” said Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. “Senator Ball and Assemblywoman Barrett have fought for the people of Dutchess County and delivered the necessary state aid so that we may reinstate the sales tax exemption on residential energy. By working together we have accomplished a major win for Dutchess County taxpayers. I am grateful to all those who advocated and responded so effectively including Senator Ball and Assemblywoman Barrett.” “I want to commend and thank Senator Ball and County Executive Molinaro for standing up for Dutchess County residents against the entrenched downstate politicians who care nothing about the taxpayers of the Hudson Valley. We are grateful for Senator Ball’s leadership, providing real mandate relief for Dutchess County. Everyone pays lip service to mandate relief but Senator Ball took action. As Dutchess County Comptroller and one of the lone voices who opposed the Energy Tax, I call upon the legislature to pass a resolution asking the New York State Department of Tax and Finance to immediately rescind the tax,” said Dutchess County Comptroller Jim Coughlan. “Since the 2014 County Budget was proposed in October of last year, County Executive Molinaro and myself along with other County business and community leaders have worked together to find another way to balance it other than the elimination of the sales tax exemption on residential energy sources. Our efforts, thanks to Senator Ball and Assemblywoman Barrett, have resulted in state aid for critical county services that enable us to eliminate the need for this tax. As Chairman of the County Legislature I will begin the process to end this tax without delay or hesitation,” said Dutchess County Legislature Chairman Rob Rolison. “I think it’s wonderful that we have worked as state and county to get this funding. The energy tax is a burden on all Dutchess County taxpayers. I would like to commend County Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro and Senator Greg Ball for all the work they have done to make this possible,” said Dutchess County Legislator John Thomes. “It is a wonderful thing that we have been able to secure this funding and will now be able to repeal this tax.” nysenate.gov/press-release/state-and-county-officials-announce-millions-enable-repeal-dutchess-energy-tax
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 22:41:07 +0000
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