Raymond Pignone reports for Columbia-Greene Media that Greene County sales tax revenues rose 12 percent in January compared to a year before, and 18.5 percent in Columbia County. “I point the finger at inflation,” Greene County Administrator Shaun Groden said. “If we’re all paying more, it’s going to show an increase in the amount of sales tax we collect.” Local sales tax collections in New York State increased by 9.2 percent in January over a year ago, according to a report released Feb. 17 by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. He said, “Consumer spending and a strong labor market have buoyed sales tax growth even as prices remain elevated. But local governments should budget cautiously as this growth may level off sooner than they expect.” Read more about this story at HudsonValley360.com.