The New York Times has done some research into the story I broke about the Repeal of the New York Amazon Tax. Who’s in a better position to dig in and get more info than the NY Times, right?

I was pleasantly surprised to wake up and see inbound traffic from the NY Times in my blog stats, so went over to investigate. Although I was happy to see the nice link to 5 Star, I wasn’t happy with the news I read there. It doesn’t sound very good for New York affiliates. We’ve been hopeful that the repeal which Senators voted 44-18 to approve would gain traction and eventually go through. According to sources the New York Times has talked to, it’s unlikely the repeal will go through and if it does the governor will probably veto it.

New York Senate Teases Amazon Customers With Sales Tax Repeal

“When I called over to the Assembly, I didn’t find much interest in the bill. Moreover, the regular legislative session is over for the year. On Tuesday night, Governor David A. Paterson called on the legislature to return next month to help fill a $26 billion budget gap. An Assembly spokeswoman said it is unlikely that the body would have time to take up the tax issue. And it’s hard to see why lawmakers trying to fill a huge budget hole would be eager to repeal a provision that brings in $50 million a year in revenue for the state…

An official in the Paterson administration, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said he did not expect the sales tax repeal bill to pass the Assembly and he assumed that the governor would veto it if it did.“

Those of you that are New York affiliates, out there fighting the good fight - don’t give up! Continue trying to reach your state representatives to try to find a sponsor for the bill and get it pushed through.