Dear Editor,<\/p>\n
Since 2019, $677 million in local sales tax money has been sent to the state’s general fund. Originally intended to help the state and Cuomo\u2019s budget mismanagement to facilitate the state\u2019s obligation for Aid to Municipalities program to benefit towns and villages. Later used to bolster funding for distressed health care facilities. <\/span><\/p>\n More recently the state is using local tax revenue surge to relieve the burdens of post-pandemic restrictions to ease shutdowns of businesses and public spaces. County government officials this week said it’s time to end the practice. <\/span><\/p>\n County leaders, at their winter convention in Albany, and while the state budget remains under negotiation, reflected the need to stop this practice now that the state still has ample funds available provided by the Federal government and the fact that revenue from the sales tax has surged in recent months. <\/span><\/p>\n Many statements made were, \u201cIt\u2019s time to get our state back to normal, and that means returning to responsible budgeting that keeps local tax revenue in their local communities,\u201d \u201cLocal tax revenue should stay in the community where it is collected,\u201d and, \u201cThis is money that is meant to stay local to support local parks, community colleges, meals for seniors, day care services, 911 programs, and mental health and addiction services, it is not for footing the bill for state and federal responsibilities.\u201d <\/p>\n