| Legislature Narrowly Approves
Real Estate Transfer Tax By a vote of 8 to 7, the Legislature approved a much-debated Local Law, which will impose a local tax on the transfer of real property, effective December 1. The vote followed nearly an hour of discussion, with Legislators Pamela Mackesey, Frank Proto, Duane Randall, Michael Sigler, Greg Stevenson, Michael Hattery and Kathy Luz Herrera opposed. The action enables the County to charge the sellers of real property a $2 per thousand local tax on recorded real estate transfers, in addition to the $4 per thousand tax already paid to New York State. The tax is projected to generate approximately $500,000 annually to support the County's "physical, transit and educational infrastructure." The County last year requested enabling state legislation to permit the change. Action had been delayed by more than a month following the public hearing on the issue, while the County awaited the Governor's signature. Legislators indicated before the vote that the decision was not easy. Many said they have been deluged with phone calls and emails from constituents and others who opposed the tax. Opponents warned the transfer tax would pose hardship for those who can least afford it. Even many supporters characterized the transfer tax as the lesser of two evils. Budget chair Michael Koplinka-Loehr remarked that "it clearly brings anguish to all of us"; Legislator Dick Booth called it "much less undesirable than the property tax"; and Legislature chair Tim Joseph stressed that the transfer tax is not a way for the County to collect more money; it is about how the County collects the money. Legislator Martha Robertson conceded that, while the decision to enact the tax was difficult, it provides an essential diversification of revenue in what will be a difficult budget year. Local realtors have vehemently opposed the transfer tax. Preceding the vote, realtor Richard Patterson once again urged that the tax not be enacted, as did Lansing resident Pat Pryor, a former member of Ithaca's Common Council, who predicted it would pose hardship for senior citizens. Contact Michael Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, Budget and Capital Committee, 257-2329), Tim Joseph, Chair of the Legislature, 277-2519 STOP-DWI Program Administration Modified By a vote of 13 to 2, the Legislature moved the "Special Traffic Options Program", more commonly known as "STOP-DWI", to the administrative oversight of the District Attorney's Office for a two-year trial period. The program currently is administered by the Planning Department. It was noted that STOP-DWI already has a strong relationship with the District Attorney's Office and predicted that the change will further enhance this collaboration. Contact Martha Robertson, Planning, Chair, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, |