Major hotel chains will impose automatic surcharge for guests under new bill leaving customers paying 20 percent more - Governor Kathy Hochul recently signed bills that allowed two villages in the state to impose a hotel tax.

Councilor Jimmy Giannettino explained that an occupancy tax at hotels could be beneficial for the area given the quantity of fire and police calls that come from major hotel chains in the area every year. The establishments have also housed those left without sustainable housing, which Giannettino noted as a continued drain on city resources. "Our friends at the county continue to house individuals due to the fact that there is no adequate shelter here in the county," he told the publication. "I know that's something they continue to look into and I applaud their efforts, but the reality is this has become a drain on our resources."  The hotel tax appears to be spreading throughout New York state, and the percentages can quickly combine with other charges. In Cayuga County, for example, a five percent occupancy tax was imposed, and the funds are then used to fund the tourism office in the area, according to The Auburn Citizen.