April 2, 2007

Ranzenhofer Supports Dedicated Funding for Tourism

(Buffalo, New York) - Today, Republican Legislators John J. Mills, Michael H. Ranzenhofer, and Barry A. Weinstein, MD sponsored a resolution that resolves to dedicate 100% of the Hotel Occupancy Tax revenue to the operational budget of the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau. The Hotel Occupancy Tax, commonly referred to as the "Bed Tax," was established more than two decades ago by an act of the Erie County Legislature. It was the intention of the Legislature to raise revenue for tourism purposes from tourists, rather than taxing the general public. At the height of Erie County's fiscal crisis, in 2005, the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau lost a significant amount of their funding to the County's general operating fund. "It is the intention of this resolution to right that serious wrong," said Legislator and Minority Leader John J. Mills, who continued by saying "The Convention and Visitors Bureau needs money that they can count on each year; they can't operate efficiently without that guarantee."

"This resolution will create a dedicated and reliable funding stream for the Buffalo Niagara Convention and Visitors Bureau," stated Legislator Michael H. Ranzenhofer, who added that "the Hotel Occupancy Tax generates approximately $6 million per year which provides the Convention and Visitors Bureau the resources necessary to increase tourism in the area." Annually, tourism in the region the Convention and Visitors Bureau services generates $150 million for hotels, $650 million in direct visitor spending, $15 million in sales tax revenue and more than 15,000 jobs. "Tourism is one of the most important components of our regional economic development strategy," said Dr. Barry Weinstein, who continued by adding that "investing in tourism will bring in out of town money and pay dividends for the Western New York economy."

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