John Mason is reporting in The Daily Mail sales tax revenue in both Columbia and Greene counties increased in the past year, in sharp contrast to other counties statewide. According to the sales tax figures released Tue., Jan. 26, by the New York State Association of Counties, in the fourth quarter of 2014, Columbia County's receipts rose by more than five percent, while Greene's revenue increased by nearly three percent. In 2015, Greene County reported the sixth highest sales tax revenue in New York state. Greene County Treasurer Peter Markou said there's no real answer to why the county did so well last year, but he speculated it was because of the restaurants and the ski industry. Columbia County Treasurer P.J. Keeler said the county was fortunate to see the increase, despite a significant decrease in sales tax revenue from gasoline sales due to lower gas prices. Read the full story in The Daily Mail.