Albany – Senator Kathy Marchione (R,C,I-Halfmoon), Chair of the Senate’s Local Government Committee, today announced the Senate’s unanimous passage of her bi-partisan legislation that would assist Saratoga County in promoting and supporting local tourism and economic development.

Senator Marchione’s bi-partisan legislation, Senate Bill S.4547, would amend the state’s tax law, in relation to the Tourist Home, Inn, Hotel or Motel Tax in Saratoga County and Saratoga Springs. The measure would promote and support local tourism and other economic development by reallocating Saratoga County’s Room Occupancy Tax and restructuring the composition of the Advisory Committee.

Senator Marchione’s bill would allocate 50 percent of the monies currently allocated to Saratoga County for the promotion of tourism and conventions and received from the County’s Room Occupancy Tax, to the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, Inc., for the promotion of tourism and other economic development-related purposes.

The Saratoga County Economic Development Strategic Plan identifies Saratoga County’s economy as being built on three pillars: tourism, agriculture and business and industry. In accord with the strategic plan, the County Board of Supervisors authorized by resolution the formation of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, Inc., a not-for-profit local development corporation to undertake certain projects and initiatives for the economic benefit of Saratoga County.

The County Board of Supervisors specifically requested the home rule legislation to allocate 50 percent of the monies currently allocated to Saratoga County for the promotion of tourism and conventions and received from the County’s Room Occupancy Tax, to the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership, Inc., for the promotion of tourism and other economic development-related purposes. The remaining 50 percent of the County’s tax share will continue to be allocated for the promotion of tourism and conventions.

Since the enactment of tax law section 1202-g which imposed the Room Occupancy Tax in Saratoga County, prominent tourism promotion entities have been formed in Saratoga County such as Saratoga Springs City Center Authority and the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau. These entities have played a critical role in the local economy by promoting and marketing Saratoga County and the City of Saratoga Springs as a world-class destination for meetings, conventions and groups. As such, the Saratoga Board of Supervisors’ home-rule request includes the re-composition of its nine-member committee which advises the Board on expenditures made by the County for the promotion of tourism and conventions, to include representatives of these entities.

The legislation provides that the committee be comprised of: the Chair of the Board of Supervisors, the Chair of the Board’s Economic Development Committee, the Chair of the Board’s Law and Finance Committee, and one member of the Board of Supervisors who also serves as a Director of the Saratoga County Prosperity Partnership. Inc., one representative from the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce, one representative from the Chamber of Southern Saratoga County, one representative from the Saratoga Convention and Tourism Bureau, one representative from the Saratoga Springs City Center Authority and the Saratoga County Treasurer. Ultimately, the measure will provide Saratoga County with the means to further its tourism, convention and local economic development endeavors.

“Saratoga County is a terrific place to visit, as well as start or grow a business. The County requested this legislation so it could continue its successful efforts to promote local tourism and promote economic development that creates more local jobs and provides more local opportunities. I partnered with Assemblywoman Woerner to get this legislation through the state Legislature so it can become law,” Senator Marchione said.

Senator Marchione’s bi-partisan legislation has an Assembly companion measure, Assembly Bill A.6909, sponsored by Assemblywoman Carrie Woerner (D-Round Lake), which has passed the Assembly.