After reading the Sept. 10 regional news on sales tax distribution, I was appalled by the response of Tony Jansenski, chairman of the Schenectady County Legislature. Glenville town Supervisor Chris Koetzle provided the town’s position on sales tax distribution given to local communities who contribute to this revenue stream. Schenectady County now keeps 75 percent of sales tax money.
Schenectady County currently shares 25 percent of its sales tax revenue with local governments. The majority of tax revenue goes to the Schenectady County Metroplex Development Authority and the city of Schenectady.
This rip-off has been going on for years, and local communities have been short-changed by the county Legislature. Tony Jansenski advised that the county faces its own challenges and doesn’t have to share sales tax revenue at all — “That’s not something we have to do.” We do it because the Legislature is sympathetic to the needs of the municipalities.
It’s very upsetting to think that my town of Glenville relies on Mr. Jensenski’s sympathy for our town and others to share tax revenue distribution. Metroplex and the city of Schenectady have rebuilt the city of the backs and support of all communities.
It appears that the county Legislature is throwing a bone to our communities with no meat attached. The response by Tony Jasenski only signals that there is no opportunity to move forward with change.
Charles Brown
Glenville
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Categories: Letters to the Editor, Opinion
