TAX-FREE WEEK SET FOR AUG. 31-SEPT. 6 IN NEW YORK

The New York State sales tax exemption for apparel and footwear under $110 will go into effect Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 and last until Sept. 6, 2004, according to the emergency legislation signed by Governor George E. Pataki.  "If you've been out shopping during those tax-free weeks, they're huge," said Ted Potrikus, executive vice-president and director of government relations for the Retail Council of New York, which supports the idea of a tax-free week.  "It's promotional, it's exciting, everybody gets psyched about it." The "back-to-school" tax free week is expected to boost retail sales around the state.