Good economic news on Long Island leading into tonight's debate at Hofstra

[tk2kewl]

http://www.newsday.com/long-island/sales-tax-numbers-give-counties-confidence-1.4118178

Sales tax numbers give counties confidence

Nassau and Suffolk officials who have been buffeted by disappointing sales tax numbers say new third-quarter receipts give them confidence they will meet year-end and 2013 budget projections.

Suffolk officials say their Oct. 13 sales tax check represented a 14.5 percent increase over the third quarter last year. However, executive and legislative budget aides noted that the check skews the growth in sales tax revenue because it includes factors such as underpayments in past periods.

The third-quarter results give the county a 3.97 percent growth in sales tax for the year to date, slightly higher than expected in County Executive Steve Bellone's proposed 2013 budget.

[tk2kewl]

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