Gooch vows to fight against new tax on bags

On Monday, Republican 7th District Niagara County Legislator Jesse Gooch voiced his opposition to implementing a new tax in Niagara County.

As part of the state budget, plastic bags will be outlawed in New York. The budget also gave local governments the option to impose a new 5-cent tax on paper bags. Under this provision, Niagara County would not be required to tax paper bags unless the County Legislature opted in to the sales tax.

In response, Gooch said, “Albany continues to find creative new ways to nickel-and-dime us. At a time when Niagara County residents are struggling to make ends meet, the last thing we need is another tax every time we go to the grocery store.”

Gooch acknowledged the environmental benefits of switching from plastic to paper or reusable bags, but felt that adding a tax to paper bags is an unnecessary step.

“Simply put, the bag tax would increase the already-too-high cost of living here,” he said. “Should my Democratic colleagues try to impose this new tax in Niagara County, I’ll proudly vote against it.”