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wMelissa's AP stories |
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Here are my stories whose links are no longer available. Only the ones with bylines are included here, for the non-bylined ones that I found more interesting, go to melswar.blogspot.com. Thanks! Let me know what you think!
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wWednesday, August 27, 2003 |
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Sales tax on clothing, footwear waived through Labor Day
By MELISSA MANSFIELD
Associated Press Writer
August 25, 2003
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ With back-to-school shopping in full swing, the state and 49 counties are waiving sales taxes on clothing and footwear starting Tuesday. The governor's office estimates that shoppers will save $46 million.
"Not only will this program help New Yorkers save tens of millions of dollars, it will also provide New York merchants and retailers a welcome boost in sales," said Gov. George Pataki.
The exemption waives through Labor Day the state's 4.25 percent sales tax on clothing and footwear purchases under $110 per item, and allows counties and cities to surrender their local portion of sales tax as well.
"I shop all the time, but it's definitely an added perk," said 19-year-old Melissa Golden. When she learned about tax savings Monday, she suspended shopping for the day.
Albany County Executive Mike Breslin said the timing of this tax-free week, the second this year, is good for parents and students doing back-to-school shopping. Businesses hope to benefit from the added flow of customers.
"Tax-free week has always proven to result in a substantial increase in sales," said Jack Yonnally, president of B.Lodge and Company in Albany. "We look forward to an increase of 30 to 40 percent."
The decision to participate in the tax free week was left up to individual counties.
Thirteen counties will not be participating, including Orange County. Joseph Vespo, administrative officer, said that the county will not be participating because of "unfair" mandates given to the counties by the state, without money to offset the costs.
"Right now we are looking for every penny and every dollar we can possibly find in order to reduce the impact on any reduction of services," said Vespo. "This would not be the time to do something like this."
According to Vespo, Orange County is considering raising their sales tax to relax the financial strain.
Though the state does not receive any of the extra revenue from the increased sales, Pataki had proposed four weeks of tax free shopping instead of the current two.
Pataki budget spokesman Ken Brown said it is too soon to see if it will be included in next year's budget.
posted by
Melissa at 11:58 AM
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