Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has approved a home-rule bill that will allow St. Lawrence County to raise the sales tax by one percent.

The bill originated from Assemblywoman Addie Russell (D-Theresa) and was sponsored in the Senate by Sen. Patricia Ritchie (R-Heuvelton).

Both officials represent large portions of St. Lawrence County, including much of the St. Lawrence River.

Russell said her bill A.4761 allows St. Lawrence County to adopt a local law to increase the county sales tax an additional one percent above the current three percent rate.

“The Board of Legislators has requested this home rule legislation and I am pleased that it was passed by both houses and signed by the Governor. When it comes to home rule requests from local government, state government should respect the needs and financial challenges they face,” said Assemblywoman Russell.

Russell said the bill paves the way for St. Lawrence County Legislators to reduce property taxes.

“If the Board of Legislators enacts the increase, it should allow for more balanced revenue, providing relief to property tax payers,” she said.

This authorization provides St. Lawrence County with the authority that nearly every other county in the state already enjoys, Russell said, assign that most counties in New York State have been able to increase their sales tax rate beyond three percent.

The bill authorizes the county to adopt an increase for two years, and then must be re-approved by the state.