Online petition takes aim at proposed Saratoga County sales tax hike

PHOTOGRAPHER: Stephen Williams

The town Republican Committee chairman has established a website where people can sign an online petition opposing the proposed Saratoga County sales tax increase.

The www.stopsaratogatax.us site was established by Brian J. Telesh, an outspoken opponent of a proposal now before county supervisors to increase the total state and county sales tax from 7 percent to 8 percent.

Supervisors are considering the measure as a way to increase revenue in the 2012 county budget. A public hearing on the proposal will take place at 5:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1, at the county board room in Ballston Spa.

The petition signatures will be presented at that hearing.

Telesh said a complimentary Facebook group page “Stop the Saratoga Sales Tax Increase” was also set up.

“Everywhere I go I run into someone who is outraged by the proposal to raise our sales tax,” Telesh said in a statement. “Not everyone can attend the public meeting and many just don’t want to. I hope that this website gives the people of Saratoga County a voice in the budget process.”

The Board of Supervisors is meeting at 3 p.m. Friday in Ballston Spa to review the tentative 2012 budget.