Approved July 14, 2020

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF A SMALL BUSINESS SALES TAX HOLIDAY

WHEREAS; the COVID-19 pandemic has had a crippling effect on the national economy and many local businesses; and

WHEREAS; numerous small businesses have suffered extraordinary financial damage and, in some cases, have been unable to survive the pandemic-related economic shutdown; and

WHEREAS; small businesses comprise nearly half of all private sector jobs and are need of financial relief in order to restore their levels of employment; and

WHEREAS; New York State Assembly bill A10556 and New York State Senate bill S8603 have been introduced to create a “tax holiday” from sales tax collections on items less than $250 for a three-month period when purchased at a small business; and

WHEREAS; “small business” shall mean a business which is resident in the state, independently owned and operated and employs one hundred or less persons; and

WHEREAS; similar tax holidays have been enacted in the past to encourage spending with small local businesses;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce supports the passage of Assembly bill A10556 and Senate bill S8603 and urges the Governor to sign the legislation in order to provide financial relief to both small businesses and consumers to promote economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.