Griffo And Picente Express Concerns Over Golf Course Legislation

Senator Joseph Griffo and Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente were joined by local golf course owners at Twin Ponds Golf and Country Club in New York Mills on Tuesday to voice their concerns over legislation that would change how certain golf courses are assessed.

Griffo says the legislation proposed in Albany would allow counties and municipalties to assess privately owned golf courses based on the property's "highest and best use" rather than its current use.

He say that means golf courses could be considered residential developments and assessed at much higher rates. Griffo says some golf courses could pay 10 times their current tax rate.

Municipal courses like Valley View in Utica would not be affected.

Griffo is calling on the Senate to reject the legislation because of the detrimental impact it could have on the state's golf courses.

"Golf courses in the Mohawk Valley and the North Country, like many small businesses in New York State, are already faced with numerous fiscal challenges. This legislation will only burden these businesses more. Instead of putting up barriers and obstacles that will impede their ability to be successful, we should be doing whatever we can to make it easier for the owners of these golf courses, as with every other industry in New York, to thrive" said Griffo.