On Friday, July 11th, New York State Senator Ken LaValle, Assemblyman Fred Thiele, Jr., and Southampton Town Councilman Stan Glinka urged Governor Cuomo to sign legislation (S.7229-B/A.9533-B) that would create a hospitality business investment real property tax exemption into law.

The Senator and Assemblyman were initially approached by Councilman Glinka regarding the short supply of suitable hotels, motels and similar hospitality-related businesses in the Town of Southampton. This legislation seeks to help grow the tourism industry within the Town by expanding and improving its supply of hospitality enterprises, including hotels and motels that cater to transient guests. Through use of this tax exemption, Southampton hopes to attract professionals affiliated with the Hospitality Industry to both update and construct transient guest accommodations. Such enterprise would help fill the Town's void with respect to these establishments and attract new and greater sources of revenue.

While the bill has passed both houses of the Legislature, it must now be delivered to the Governor for review and consideration before it is signed into law.