$50K maximum income level for Senior & the Disabled County Property Tax Exemptions to be approved next month
Bowing to pressure from the Democratic Caucus, Republicans agreed to up the maximum income level for Senior & the Disabled property tax exemptions - the full amount allowed under new State Law
At the Thursday County Committees Meeting Legislator Brennan Kearney (D - Clinton & Rhinebeck) led the Caucus in advocating for the maximum income level (video clip here). Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith (D-Beacon/Fishkill) spoke eloquently on the challenges facing Seniors (video clip here). Kearney praised the successful outcome the Caucus achieved last night (video clip here) saying, "Tonight I was prepared to speak about my disappointment that leaving the floor on Thursday, I thought we might not be able to get reach to the full income limit for seniors and the disabled that I had suggested. I am really happy to leave tonight knowing that the full income level allowed $50,000 will appear in the resolution next month. You know I was very strongly behind this and I’m glad everyone has come together with me."
"We are proud to fight for tax relief for those at risk from rising home values and recognize that Seniors and the Disabled need as much help as we can provide to them to stay in their homes," said Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith (D-Beacon/Fishkill).
The Future of the County's Emergency Housing Plans - What We Are Doing
see our coverage of the issue earlier this month
Assistant Minority Leader Barrington Atkins (D-City of Poughkeepsie) requested the County convene a Public hearing on the Emergency Shelter, following the County's announcement that it plans to cancel the Oakley Street Emergency Housing Facility in Poughkeepsie. "It is our duty and our job to stay on top of this brewing crisis and make sure any developing plans include public input and government transparency," said Atkins.
Legislator Giancarlos Llaverias, (D - City of Poughkeepsie) supported Atkins' request, adding that the hearing needs to be remote so that as many County residents as possible can participate.
Additionally, Legislator Craig Brendli (D - City of Poughkeepsie) requested a report from the County on the future of the County's Emergency Housing Plans, noting that the County Executive's statement on the plans were extremely brief in his State of the County address.
We will be working for transparency and community involvement in all stages of the project.
Petitioning is underway across the County
for Local & Countywide Fall 2023 Candidates
Please be friendly to the Democrats who may knock on your door requesting signatures
Why? Election laws require candidates to gather a specified number of signatures to appear on the November 7, 2023 ballot. We hate to bother you - but we need your signature so we can keep serving! Have a look at each local position's required signature count here
View information on our outstanding County Executive, County Clerk, County District Attorney, and Family Court Justice candidates here
(pictured above: your Dutchess County Democratic Legislators with Countywide candidates)
Our favorite Number-Crunching Legislator, Kris Munn (D-Red Hook & Tivoli) breaks down County Sales Tax (and why we wanted it lowered) in the terrific (and concise!) videos below
Our caucus believes in lowering taxes - not just as a talking point, but as action, so that we can offer financial relief to our residents
Caucus Requests Updates on the YOU - Youth Opportunity Union
Repeating previous requests, Assistant Minority Leader Barrington Atkins (D-City of Poughkeepsie) asked the County to provide an update presentation on the progress and plans for the YOU (the County multi-use facility to offer young people recreational, educational and healthy opportunities) to be constructed at the former YMCA site on Montgomery Street.
Legislator Brennan Kearney
(D - Clinton & Rhinebeck) sat down with the Hudson Valley Pilot
to explain the County Legislature, Legislators' Roles, and the Democratic Caucus's Challenges & Triumphs
"As a Legislator, you are not given full access to all information from the County. In fact, we're required to route all of our requests for information on County subjects through the County Clerk, who then directs them to the appropriate commissioners. So the current County Executive prefers that we not even contact commissioners directly and the commissioners are really the county employees who are developing policies and interpreting guidance from other places, like the state. One of the things that was a surprise to me on becoming a legislator was the lack of information available to me," reflected Legislator Kearney.
Be Heard! Speak Up! Community voices need to be an integral part of any part of the future plans for an Emergency Housing Facility and all other County projects. Urge your elected representatives to get on board and act!
We invite Dutchess residents to CONTACT the County Executive’s office (CountyExec@DutchessNY.gov) and tell him that we need a plan that will work
Contact info for all your elected officials is here AND ATTEND OUR MEETINGS
where you can always make public comment
Upcoming April Meetings
Committee Mtg Thursday, April 6 - 5:30 pm
Mtg of the Legislature Monday, Monday, April 10 - 7 pm
22 East Market Street, Poughkeepsie - 6th Floor
