October 17, 2025

Contact: Brenda Alesii, Communications Director

M: 716-861-7288; Balesii@NYSenate.gov

Senator April N.M. Baskin Praises Governor Hochul’s Signing of Cheektowaga Occupancy Tax (Bed Tax) Into Law

Buffalo, NY – Senator April N.M. Baskin is pleased to announce that Governor Kathy Hochul signed the Cheektowaga Occupancy Tax (S.8269A)earlier today. The freshman Senator initiated the bill’s language to include that tax revenue be mandated for infrastructure projects in Cheektowaga. The Occupancy Tax, also known as the Bed Tax, will only be levied at no more than three percent on travelers purchasing Cheektowaga hotel and motel rooms.

With Cheektowaga’s current sizable debt, a new revenue source, like the bed tax, is needed to help limit future borrowing and reduce major property tax increases.

“Town costs are escalating each year, so a practical approach is a necessity, rather than the reckless practice of dipping into rainy day funds and buying high interest bonds,” Baskin noted. “I extend my thanks to Governor Hochul for signing this money-saving bill into law and to Assemblymember Patrick Chludzinski for passing the bill in the Assembly.

Cheektowaga is home to 17 hotels; many are in close proximity the Buffalo Niagara International Airport and retail areas. In leading this initiative, Baskin said the town in 2023 used bonds to finance streetlights. The interest was exorbitant, but this new revenue-generating bill will offset that practice, resulting in taxpayers having more money in their pocket.

Baskin said, “Residents will see how the bed tax revenue benefits them because the Town must use it for capital projects. I look forward to working with Cheektowaga Supervisor Brian Nowak as his administration implements this new law.”   

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