LIVINGSTON â Gov. Andrew M. Cuomoâs signature is the last thing officials need to create a state tax credit to help property owners restore thousands of historic barns throughout rural and Upstate New York.
A bill sponsored by Assemblywoman Didi Barrett, D-Hudson, and Sen. Michelle Hinchey, D-Saugerties, would create a 25% tax credit for New Yorkers to revitalize historic barns in the state constructed before 1945.
The bill unanimously passed both houses of the state Legislature last month a few days before session concluded June 10. It had not been delivered to the governorâs desk as of press time Thursday.
âSo many of these barns are falling into disarray because of the sheer cost to rehabilitate them or preserve them,â Hinchey said in front of a historic barn in Livingston, Columbia County, on Thursday. âThe sooner (the bill is signed), the sooner the barns are saved.â