Politics & Government

Local Officials Support Pending Legislation To Exempt Libraries From MTA Payroll Tax

Libraries not included when some entities exempted last year

 

Late last year when certain entities were exempted from the MTA payroll tax, public libraries were not part of that group.  Last week, Senator David Carlucci co-sponsored legislation to “close this loophole that exists.” Library officials from throughout Rockland County will join him as he discusses that legislation this morning. 

Along with Carlucci (D-Rockland/Orange), and Chairwoman of the Rockland County Legislature Harriet Cornell, (D-West Nyack) local library officials and staff from Nanuet, Nyack, West Nyack, Piermont and Valley Cottage will call for exempting all public libraries and library systems in New York State from paying the MTA payroll tax. 

Find out what's happening in New Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The Middle Class Tax Cut and Job Creation Plan signed into law in December repealed the MTA payroll tax for about 78% of the business entities, self-employed taxpayers, and all public and non-public schools.  However, many public libraries were not included in this group and are still required to pay the tax. 

According to Carlucci, despite library usage increasing by 11 percent since 2007, state funding for libraries has declined by 23 percent.  The continued reductions in state funding have resulted in some areas paying 50 percent to 105 percent of their library aid towards the MTA payroll tax.

Find out what's happening in New Citywith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Library representatives scheduled to attend are:

  • Director of Nanuet Public Library Gretchen Bell
  • Director of Nyack Public Library Jim Mahoney
  • Director of Piermont Public Library Jessica Bowen
  • Director of West Nyack Public Library Rita Fogelman
  • Director of Valley Cottage Public Library Amelia Kalin;
  • President of the Library Association of Rockland County Maria Gagliardi
  • Director of Rose Memorial Library in Stony Point Ben Reid 

The announcement takes place at 11 a.m. at the Nanuet Library. 


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here