In response to our request, Assemblyman Steve Hawley provided the following statement on the issue of extending the 1-percent addition to local sales tax:
“At this point, we know very little about whether the Legislature plans to congruently pass local tax extenders. The Senate has already passed the Genesee County 1% tax extender that will be in effect until November 30, 2019, as well as the Orleans County tax extender.
"But the issue is that Assembly leadership chose to pass all local tax bills in one omnibus bill this year, instead of separately as they have done in almost all years past. Genesee and Orleans counties will be looking at approximate $9.3 million and $3.8 million revenue shortfalls, respectively.
"Essentially, the Assembly is holding tax extenders hostage, claiming that they have already fulfilled their obligation to counties. We are not sure at this point whether tax extenders will be addressed in Wednesday’s special legislative session, but it is time to put politics aside and compromise in order to avoid a major fiscal deficit in Genesee and Orleans counties,” said Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia).
Previously: Inaction in Albany could deliver $8 million revenue blow to local governments
I find it to be of interest
I find it to be of interest that the guy who is the master of playing politics now asks for "politics to be put aside". With his nonstop press releases bashing the those who were elected to serve Down State and those on the other side of the aisle, it may be a bit hard for his pleas for nonpartisan efforts to be taken seriously. Maybe Assemblyman Hawley should practice what he preaches. If he governed the way he is talking today, he would be much more effective.