Above: The Roxbury Motel, one of Delaware County's largest hotels, will be affected by the proposed new two percent bed tax. Photo via the Roxbury.
A bill that will establish a two percent occupancy tax on room and hotel rentals in Delaware County finally passed both houses of New York's state legislature on Wednesday, June 24, in the last days of a legislative session that just never seems to end.
The bed tax bill "passed the assembly yesterday," said Jeff Bishop, a spokesman for Senator James Seward, who sponsored the legislation in the New York State Senate. "We were supposed to be done last week, but [the legislative session] is still going."
The bed tax bill was approved by the Senate last week, on Wednesday, June 17, and got the thumbs up from the New York State Assembly yesterday, Wednesday, June 24. State Assemblyman Clifford Crouch sponsored the bill in the assembly.
The proposed bed tax is a controversial topic in Delaware County, where many hoteliers fear that it will cut into their revenue.
Last year, a bed tax bill for Delaware County died in committee. But this year, despite less support on the county level, it finally has the blessing of the state legislature.
The Delaware County bed tax is still nowhere near a done deal. The bill must be signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo. Then the Delaware County Board of Supervisors will draft a local law and hold public hearings to discuss it.
Previous coverage:
Delaware County's proposed bed tax rises again, April 23, 2015
Delaware County votes to move forward on bed tax, April 25, 2014
