CANTON – St. Lawrence County has set up a free online petition urging the state Legislature to enact and the governor to sign "Home Rule" legislation that would allow for a sales tax increase in the county.

The petition can be viewed at www.change.org/petitions/new-york-state-legislature-sign-home-rule-legislation

The county failed to obtain state approval for a sales tax increase during the recently concluded legislative session.

Meanwhile, county officials are saying they have nothing to do with a telephone survey asking whether residents favor a sales tax increase in the county. Several elected state representatives have also denied knowledge of who is conducting the sales tax survey.

No county tax dollars are being expended for the calls, said Suzanne M. Houmiel, St. Lawrence County deputy clerk.

“It is unfortunate that there has been no acknowledgement from the creator of this survey nor shared information of what the intended use of the data will be,” said County Legislative Chair Sallie Brothers.

“Should the county ever conduct a survey,” she added, “we would clearly identify ourselves and the purpose of the call. We apologize for any confusion that would suggest the County is conducting a survey without first informing the public.”