Legislators Vote To Raise Sales Tax

 At their ninth special meeting on September 22, the Tioga County Legislators voted to increase the county's sales tax by one per cent, (Note: 1/2% is an existing tax that is to run out on December 1, and the other 1/2% is a new tax), bringing our total sales tax to 8 1/4% starting December 1, 2003.  The vote was 6 yes, 1 no, and 2 absent. Dick Huttleston was the single ‘NO' vote, stating that he will not vote for any increase in taxes. Huttleston stated,  "The whole tax situation is out of hand." 

 According to legislator Trabucco, if this tax increase was voted down they would just have to increase the property tax. Legislator Chairman Borko stated that three quarters of the county budget is forced upon us by unfunded state mandates and we have no control over them. Legislator Fran Leavenworth stated, "Those people at the state level are not willing to listen, they have deaf ears." Legislator Johnson and Smith were absent.