Hotel room occupancy tax rate hike passes

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The Albany County Legislature passed a proposal to raise the county's hotel occupancy tax, or Local Law J. The tax will go into effect on January 1 and stay in place for three years.

It will increase the tax rate to 6.5%. It currently sits at 6%. The extra money would be used to promote tourism in the county. Republicans, however, voiced their opposition to the increase.

It would not apply to long-term residence of hotels.