Authored by: Sean Stark
May 4th, 2007
NYSAR’s Government Affairs Department reported this week that…
The Red Hook transfer tax was approved by 31 votes - With 2,629 votes cast, a significant turnout for such a small community, Red Hook residents approved a 2 percent real estate transfer tax by a mere 31 votes on Tuesday, May 1. NYSAR and the Dutchess County Board of REALTORS were extremely active in opposing this proposal over the past several months and though we did not prevail, there are numerous lessons to take away from this effort. Those in support of the measure likely spent between $50,000 and $100,000 while NYSAR allocated $20,000 from its Issues Mobilization Fund to oppose the measure.
Comments from an article in Wednesday’s Poughkeepsie Journal show that NYSAR’s message of “enough is enough taxes” resonated with Red Hook voters. We learned much about the tactics of the pro-tax forces that will certainly be a great benefit as we move forward and address future transfer tax and mortgage recording tax proposals.
Judging by results, “enough is enough taxes” evidently did not resonate enough in Red Hook.
Better luck with the Hudson Valley Community Preservation Act of 2007.
Comments(8)