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ANGELO SANTABARBARA URGES ENERGY TAX RELIEF

Posted on: 09/17/08
Ashley Lucas, Clifton Park-Burnt Hills reporter
email: lucasa@spotlightnews.com

Legislation that could save Schenectady County residents on home heating costs this winter has been drafted but has yet to make it to the floor of the county Legislature for a vote.

The legislation, introduced by Angelo Santabarbara, R-Duanesburg, would exempt all energy products from the 4 percent county sales tax.

Santabarbara said he has received several letters from residents who say the rising cost of home heating fuel is affecting their ability to spend money on other necessities.

“Even though I heat with gas, I support the elimination of the county sales tax on home heating fuel,” said Richard Kramer, of Glenville, in a letter to Santabarbara. “We are taxed enough and this is not a luxury; it is a necessity in our climate, and it is regressive to tax those in the lower income brackets.”

If the tax is eliminated, Santabarbara said residents would save 40 cents for every $5 spent on home heating fuel and electricity.

Schenectady County is one of 15 counties in the state that tax residential sales of coal, fuel, oil, wood, gasoline, propane, electricity and steam, according to the state Department of Taxation and Finance. Schenectady is the only county in the Capital District that taxes home heating fuel and electricity.

“They are asking for relief,” Santabarbara said. “We can’t let them down on this.”

He said it is not fair in this type of climate to tax home heating fuel because it is a necessity akin to food, some of which is not taxable.

“Instead of saying we’re going to reduce taxes, let’s start with this,” Santabarbara said.

“As one who is self-employed, performing carpentry and home repair services, I have watched the decline in homeowner discretionary spending as the costs of necessities have escalated at unprecedented levels,” said Delanson resident William Wenzel. “On the local level I strongly support cutting taxes and spending.”

According to wording in the legislation, “Few items are as essential to daily life, our economy, and the health and well-being of our citizens as energy products.”

Santabarbara said the elimination of the energy sales tax should not come at the expense of other county taxes. He said the county should rework its spending to accommodate the loss of revenue without increasing other taxes.

“Any decrease in revenue experienced by the county as a result of this exemption, must be offset by the county manager with across the board reductions in equal revenue amounts from all county agencies,” according to the drafted legislation.

Legislator Robert Farley, R-Glenville, said he supports Santabarbara’s legislation, saying party affiliation should not be an issue in passing this legislation.

“Even the governor came out yesterday and said we have to reduce the cost of heating,” Farley said.

While I applaud his efforts, it'll never fly with the Democratic Majority if this line is true

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The legislation, introduced by Angelo Santabarbara, R-Duanesburg, would exempt all energy products from the 4 percent county sales tax.

"all energy products" would include Gasoline - something the county can't afford to do permanently - yes, it'd be GREAT if they did, but don't hold your breath - that's a LOT of revenue they'd lose - and taxes would skyrocket.

If this were a temporary cap/removal - like the legislation 2 years ago that suspended the tax when gasoline got over $x.xx - then it might work ... but since they failed to renew that legislation adn we've been suffering since, I have no confidence in this legislation passing so long as "energy" also means gasoline in the legislation.

I too applaud Angelo's effort, I think this has been his third month of trying to atleast get the legislation to the table for a vote.  Apparently it is not an important enough issue for the majority of the legislature or they would have done so by now.  To your point MT, they could reword the legislation to include all home heating fuel and gasoline over $x.xx That would be a huge help.

Although I think this is an admirable attempt on Mr. Santabarbara's part, but clearly unrealistic at this time. Cutting this tax at a time when we KNOW our taxes are going to go up due to state cuts...it won't fly.

I would also add that BEFORE we begin to cut taxes....there are non-mandated government programs and government expenditures that need to be cut FIRST. That is what I want to hear from our legislatures. It is a no brainer...cut the non-mandated and patronage jobs and taxes WILL go down.

I support this here 1000000000000000000000000000%

Quoted from Salvatore

I support this here 1000000000000000000000000000%

WOW Sal...I'm impressed. You've never agreed with ANYTHING or ANYBODY on this message board.

Your friends first real piece of legislation, you must be so proud - even if it is going to fail miserably.

I say that we'll have to start writing letters to the Daily Gazette, blog posts, talk it up in here, but especially get in touch with the members of the county legislature and let them know your feelings.  I'm not sure that the last thing that I sent to them (each in a handwritten, stamped envelope) even got seen by anybody on the board.  I think next time, I'll send them with a receipt requested.  I don't know how much it would cost, but at the same time, I would have proof if they said that they hadn't been told about it.

Everyone should support this. But where are the cuts? This is hardly the time to be cutting revenue, especially since the majority County Democrats flatly refuse to cut any pork. Angelo's heart is in the right place-many County residents are looking at a cold winter. More will be deciding to pay the tax man or the fuel man.

As Rene stated in her post, this legislation was proposed by Legislator Santabarbara in June.  The majority (Democratic) party will not allow for the legislation to come to the floor for a vote.

Letters have been written by the public in support of the elimination of the sales tax on heating fuel.  Prior discussion re: this issue appears at the thread below beginning w/ post #299:

http://www.rotterdamny.info/m-1182081588/s-299/

I applaud Angelo for representing the views and fighting for the needs of his constituents.  I would encourage those who are concerned about the cost of heating their homes this winter to lend your voice and support to the cause.  

With a huge county tax increase looming it goes without saying that this legislation can only go forth and work if presented along with a slew of tax cuts in the budget.  We all know and have discusses in another thread where they can come from.  

isn't there something about a 'fee' to be collected via our heating bills to assist those have difficultly paying their heating bills??? who is skimming off of
this pot????  fake jobs,,,,,again.......

Does anyone know if this is being brought to the table in November???  If they wait long enough it will be summer.

I think you had better ask Salvatore since he seems to have some inside scoop on this. Well I least he wishes...

Oh don't kid yourself GB. I always said that good old Sal is very informed? He is just trying to stir the pot. Sal is as dumb as a fox!

Although you are correct...that if anyone would know, Sal should know exactly if ANG will be bringing his energy proposal to the table.

.....and still waiting!!!!