POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County lawmakers have started the process to ask the state for permission to continue the three-quarters of one percent sales tax above the state limit for another two years.
The request passed the Budget and Finance Committee on Thursday evening, but not before Democratic Legislator Joel Tyner, who traditionally opposes the request, said the county should tax large companies that he claims underpay their employees.
Republican lawmaker Joseph Incoronato called the sales tax “progressive”
and said people only pay it when they make purchases.
“The wealthy and more affluent tend to spend more; they have a greater propensity to consume,” Incoronato said. They have the extra money as opposed to the people that are less capable of funding sales tax. Their rental is usually not reflecting sales tax. Their medical stuff is not reflecting sales tax. Their food is generally not reflecting sales tax.”
Incoronato criticized Tyner’s suggestion to make up the income from the sales tax as “nonsense.”
Without the renewed three-quarters of one percent sales tax, county Budget Director Jessica White said the county would have to make up almost $37 million by implementing massive program cuts and lay off 300 employees.
The full county legislature is expected to approve the tax renewal at its next session. The state senate and assembly will likely give their okay as well.
