Enjoying some fun in the sun this Independence Day weekend and throughout the summer will cost Monroe County families more money due to a slew of new taxes and fees passed by Assemblywoman Susan John (D-131st A.D.).

 As part of this year’s record-breakng state budget (A.155-C), John voted to increase fees at state parks including those for camping ($13 to $15), cabin rentals (15 percent hike), golfing (15 percent increase), marina rentals (25 percent increase) and the popular Empire Pass ($59 to $65). In total, parks and recreation fees paid by taxpayers are projected to skyrocket by a whopping $6.5 million.

Beer and wine sales also face a sobering tax hike, with the excise tax on beer rising 27.3 percent and a gallon of wine increasing 58.5 percent.  Car rental taxes increased from five percent to six percent, costing taxpayers $8 million and having a potentially negative impact on tourism (A.157-B).

“This holiday weekend we should be celebrating our independence from higher taxes and fees not foisting more of them on hardworking families who just want to have some summer fun,” said Kathleen Hennessey, Spokeswoman for the New York Republican Assembly Campaign Committee (RACC).

“It’s bad enough the STAR property tax rebate checks were eliminated by Assemblywoman John (A.153-C and A.157-B). Now, families can’t even go camping or have a backyard barbecue without paying more in taxes,” concluded Hennessey.