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Last year, town officials approved a plan to add a 3 percent tax to hotel rates in an effort to increase revenue. Last week, Cuomo’s office announced that it is vetoing the legislation, without offering a reason in the announcement.
Cuomo also vetoed similar legislation in other municipalities throughout the state.
Presently, there is one hotel within the town’s borders, with a second planned in the coming years.
In a statement, Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi noted that a similar bill was approved several years ago by the Mount Pleasant Town Board, but also stalled at the state level.
Fulgenzi added that “since then, many other municipalities have passed a 'hotel tax' which the Governor subsequently signed into law. Such municipalities include Greenburgh, Tarrytown, Irvington, Ardsley, Elmsford, Dobbs Ferry, Hastings-on-Hudson, Mount Kisco, Sleepy Hollow, Tuckahoe, North Castle, Harrison, Mamaroneck, and Port Chester.”
“Finally, after months of waiting, the Town learned earlier this week, when the Town Supervisor followed up with Sen. (Peter) Harckham's office on the status, that Cuomo vetoed this bill. By doing so, the governor also eliminated the potential for an additional revenue source that would have only benefited the Town with no impact on local residents.
“No reason was given as to why Cuomo vetoed this bill.”
Fulgenzi said that he plans to follow up with the Cuomo’s office for additional information on the decision “as there is nothing that sets apart the proposed Mount Pleasant bill from any other surrounding municipalities.”
The Town Supervisor also said he plans to submit another Home Rule Request for the local hotel tax pending the authorization from the Town Board later this month.
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