New bill aims to lower cost of eating at a restaurant

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---Going out to dinner could soon be a little cheaper. That’s if a new bill encouraging customers to dine out during specific times of the year, is approved by state lawmakers.

If a new bill gets passed, during the second full week of February and the third full week of August, New York customers could see a slightly lower bill when they go out to eat at restaurants.

Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara wants to eliminate the state portion of the sales tax as a way of encouraging more people to visit their local eateries. 

"This applies to the sales tax, so the local portion still stays intact. If they want to opt in, they can do that too," explained Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara.

He said those specific weeks in February and August are slow times for the restaurant industry. Melissa Fleischut, President and CEO of the New York State Restaurant Association, likes his idea.

"It’s a struggle," said Fleischut. "It’s been a struggle now for us and continues to be due to high costs, inflation, sourcing our products, the threat of tariffs, we have a lot going on in the restaurant industry."

So how much could you save on your tab?  If a customer has a $100 bill , taking off the 4% state sales tax would result a $4.00 savings. Fleischut was asked if she thinks that would be enough of a draw to get customers in the door. 

"In the marketplace, we are seeing a lot of people being very cautious right now because there is so much economic uncertainty. So, I think it would be an incentive people would consider."

The proposal currently does not have a Senate sponsor. The Assemblyman is hoping it will be included in the final state budget. 

"This provides all the right elements I think of everything we’re talking about at the state capitol in the budget this year," said Santabarbara. "Trying to save people a little bit of money, encourage more economic growth, and supporting our communities in any way that we can."