PLATTSBURGH — The State Assembly approved the Clinton County occupancy tax late Monday night, clearing the way for a local law to be enacted.

Earlier in the legislative session, the Senate had approved the plan, which calls for a 3-percent tax on area motel and hotel rooms.

The bill must now be signed by Gov. David Paterson.

“After that, we can begin the process of preparing a local law,” County Administrator Michael Zurlo said Tuesday.

“Hopefully, it will be in place by the fall for the final quarter of the year.”

BOOSTING TOURISM

The occupancy tax was recommended by a local committee of government officials and businesspeople as a way to help fund and promote tourism in the area.

In the past eight years, the county has benefitted from numerous fishing tournaments that have discovered Lake Champlain as a great fishery.

Funds from the bed tax will help promote fishing tournaments and other tourist-related events.

“We in the North Country know that we can’t rely on just one industry,” Legislature Chairman Jimmy Langley (R-Area 7, Peru) said. “We have to pick from several pots, and tourism is one of them.”

HELPS PROPERTY TAXES

Assemblywoman Janet Duprey (R-Peru) said the occupancy tax, also known as a bed tax, will help in other ways besides boosting tourism.

“Nobody likes new taxes, but more than 50 other counties in the state have this, and I don’t think 3 percent on a room is going to make anybody blink,” Duprey said.