Dutchess Voice News from your Democratic Legislators
Giancarlo Llaverias (District 1), Craig P Brendli (District 8), Randy Johnson (District 9) Barrington R. Atkins - Assistant Minority Leader (District 10), Brennan Kearney - Voice Editor (District 11), Yvette Valdés Smith - Minority Leader (District 16), Nick Page (District 18), Kristofer Munn (District 20)
January 2023 - Conservative Legislator called out for hateful language. Property Tax relief for volunteer firefighters and EMS adopted unanimously
Legislative Democrats support Property Tax relief for volunteer firefighters and EMS responders
A local law, adopted unanimously last night by the Dutchess County Legislature, will allow a 10 percent county property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance service members and will benefit volunteer members who have served a minimum of three years and will be offered for each year of active service thereafter. Members must reside in the city, town or village within the service area of the incorporated fire company, fire department, or voluntary ambulance. Individuals who actively served for a total of twenty years would be offered this exemption for the remainder of his or her life as long as their primary residence remains within Dutchess County.
"I am lucky to live with the security of having several volunteer fire departments in my community," said Legislator Brennan Kearney (Clinton/Rhinebeck), "Supporting this local law is an important way of recognizing the critical contribution volunteer firefighters and EMS responders make to our communities and most importantly, it advances my Democratic colleagues’ and my goal of offering tax relief to struggling County residents. Although our efforts to reduce Sales Tax were defeated in the Legislature last month, we are working on other ways – including this new law - to address the needs of Dutchess County residents during this difficult economic time."
Legislative Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith (Fishkill/Beacon) explained, "The Democratic Caucus is focusing our attention on ways to help seniors, veterans and working families (among others) who are feeling the economic crisis most acutely. We will continue to identify and promote policies - including tax relief - that benefit those groups quickly and directly."
See press coverage HERE
View our February meeting HERE
Dems Proposed a Sales Tax Reduction to help Dutchess County Seniors, Veterans, Vorking Families, and Others at our January Meeting
As you know, Republicans defeated the move to save taxpayers $8 million a year. But what was said about the vote was almost worse than the lack of support
"I am PROUD to have defeated progressive democrats AGAIN on the legislative floor this evening. Once again, democrats hate you, hate your family & hate America." wrote Dutchess County Conservative Legislator Ben Geller (Hyde Park) on social media - Geller caucuses with County Republicans
The non-partisan group Defense of Democracy (which has a local chapter here in the Hudson Valley) highlighted the astonishingly hateful response by Geller to the proposal to reduce sales tax in Dutchess County (details below) introduced last month by Democratic Legislator Kris Munn and seconded by Democratic Legislator and Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith. The Daily Freeman reported on his social media commentary writing:
Following the Dutchess County Legislature’s meeting Tuesday, freshman Legislator Ben Geller, a registered Conservative who aligns with Republicans, posted on Instagram: “Tonight in legislative session reaffirmed that NY Democrats will do anything to win re-election INCLUDING hurting hardworking middle class families by using their tax dollars as a political weapon. Luckily, we stopped them. I am disgusted.” In a comment on the post, he wrote: “I am PROUD to have defeated progressive democrats AGAIN on the legislative floor this evening. Once again, democrats hate you, hate your family & hate America.”
It's hard to adequately emphasize how rhetoric like that used by Geller undermines collegiality, cooperation and trust for all of us in the Dutchess County Legislature. Nor is it possible to state strongly enough that hateful rhetoric undermines our very democracy. We wanted to bring his comments to your attention to give you the full scope of the tone often adopted by the Republican Caucus.
Dems Introduced Sales Tax Reduction at January Mtg
As you know, Republicans defeated the move to save taxpayers $8 million a year
Last month Democratic legislators proposed cutting the county sales tax to help families and seniors struggling to make ends meet and make Dutchess businesses more competitive.
The amendment, introduced by Legislator Kristofer Munn (D-Red Hook/Tivoli), would reduce the county sales tax from
8.125% to 8%.
Re-recap of the debate and press coverage is available below
The final vote on the amendment to provide tax relief was defeated in a party-line vote 17 to 6, with all Republicans voting No and all Democrats voting Yes. And the resolution to increase the tax rate passed in another party-line vote of
17 yes to 6 No, with 2 members absent.
Congratulations to Assistant Minority Leader, Legislator Barrington Atkins (Poughkeepsie) on his recognition as a
Black Achiever of 2023 Honoree!
Beacon Free Loop BUS Minority Leader Legislator Yvette Valdés Smith (Fishkill/Beacon) proudly sponsored a January resolution to pass the extension of the Beacon Free Loop bus transportation.
Ride the Beacon Free Loop for free Monday through Saturday all day (6:00a – 9:00p) - from the Beacon Metro-North Station, visit Dia Beacon, shop and dine on Main Street and hike Mount Beacon. The route is free to riders - and will remain so this coming year.
We are always looking for individuals interested in running for office, especially County Legislature! Please contact Democratic Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith here, if you would like to know more about running for public office at ANY level! Work on 2023 has already begun! Or, simply reply to this email and we will point you in the right direction...
