New hotel occupancy tax in Cheektowaga

CHEEKTOWAGA, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Tourists staying in Cheektowaga will now have to pay a new hotel occupancy tax -- which state lawmakers and local leaders say will boost revenue for the town.

"This was an idea that started with a town employee and worked its way up to the state legislature for the governor to sign," said Cheektowaga Supervisor Brian Nowak.

Gov. Kathy Hochul's signature allows for Cheektowaga to collect a 3% occupancy tax from visitors at their hotels and motels.

"In our town budget, about $22-25 million right now give or take is coming from revenue sources besides the property tax levy or our cash savings. This is going to be another new source on that side of the pie," Nowak said.

The idea was pushed forward by Assemblyman Patrick Chludzinski and State Senator April Baskin, who say this is in residents' best interest.

"This is a win for the taxpayers in the Town of Cheektowaga that are homeowners, property taxpayers, families and seniors. This will be relief for them," Chludzinski said. "Conservative estimates for what this could bring in -- $1 million a year."

"Oftentimes we see tax increases on homeowners just to offset the cost of things like sewers, roads, equipment for snowplowing. So thinking of ways where we can create a revenue that doesn't fall on the residents of Cheektowaga was at the forefront of our agenda," Baskin said.

As far as the impact on tourists, there have been mixed responses.

"There shouldn't be any additional tax because then people won't come to Buffalo," said Tonawanda resident Alicia Rood. "Or if someone is looking to price a convention, why would they come here and have people stay at the hotels near the airport?"

"Even though I'd be against taxation type of things, I think this is probably somewhat reasonable," said John Olive, a traveler. "Let us tourists pay for it. I think that's OK."