GOSHEN – The Orange County Legislature on Thursday took its final step in seeking to retain three-quarters of one percent of the sales tax it collected above the approved three percent that it shared with its municipalities.
The county was sharing 3.75 percent of its sales tax with its towns, cities and villages for more than a decade and was informed last month by the State Comptroller’s Office that it was only legally allowed to share three percent.
The county’s state lawmakers quickly introduced legislation in Albany to allow that additional three-quarters of one percent. Following the county legislature’s home rule request on Thursday, Democratic Caucus Leader Genesis Ramos believes it will receive final approval in Albany
“The collaboration with our state representatives was instrumental to ensure that this home rule request would go through at the state level,” Ramos said. “I really want to thank our state representatives who have worked closely with the legislature and the executive office to make sure this home rule request moves through.”
Senator James Skoufis (D, Cornwall) and Assemblyman Jonathan Jacobson (D, Newburgh) are the prime sponsors of the bill in Albany, with the county’s other lawmakers – Democrat and Republican, including Assemblyman Chris Eachus (D, New Windsor) and Rob Rolison (R, Poughkeepsie) also backing the measure.
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