On April 13, 2026, the Dutchess County Legislature passed my resolution in support of the New York State Mandating End of Lawless Tactics (MELT) Act (S.8462/A.8908), which would require all law enforcement officers operating in New York State, including federal immigration agents, to wear clearly visible uniforms, display a name or badge number, and uncover their faces during any public interaction with members of the community.
To be clear about the scope of this legislation: the MELT Act applies to public law enforcement actions, any moment when government power is being exercised openly against a member of the public, and does not apply to undercover operations. It is a straightforward accountability measure rooted in a foundational democratic principle: when the government acts against the people in public, the people have the right to know who is acting in their name.
I am proud to have introduced this resolution and to have seen it pass the full Legislature. Watch my full remarks in the video below.
On April 13, 2026, the Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously to cap the county sales tax on gasoline and diesel fuel, providing meaningful financial relief to drivers across Dutchess County ahead of the summer driving season.
The resolution, which I was proud to shepherd through the legislative process as point person, will save Dutchess County drivers millions of dollars collectively this summer. While the per-gallon savings are modest, the cumulative effect across the county’s drivers represents significant relief at a time when fuel prices have risen sharply in response to ongoing instability in global energy markets.
The unanimous vote reflects broad, bipartisan recognition that local government has a responsibility to act when residents are feeling economic pressure. Watch my full remarks in the video below.
On April 9, 2026, I introduced a resolution before the Dutchess County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee in support of the New York State Mandating End of Lawless Tactics (MELT) Act (S.8462/A.8908). The resolution passed the committee by an 8-4 vote and will be considered by the full Dutchess County Legislature at its meeting on Monday, April 13, 2026.
The MELT Act would require all law enforcement officers operating in New York State, including federal immigration agents, to wear clearly visible uniforms, display a name or badge number, and uncover their faces during civilian enforcement actions. The legislation is a direct response to the increasing use of masked, plainclothes agents conducting immigration enforcement operations across New York communities.
I believe that transparency and accountability are the foundations of constitutional law enforcement. No government agency, federal, state, or local, should be permitted to operate as a secret police force in our communities. Watch my full remarks in the video above.
In 2025, we made history — electing the first Democratic majority in Dutchess County since 2009. As Assistant Majority Leader, I’ve been proud to lead that charge for Red Hook, Tivoli, and northern Rhinebeck.
Together, we:
Saved our county bus line for working families
Expanded mental health services in northwest Dutchess
Continued funding to cut ambulance response times
Doubled the housing trust fund to $2 million
Passed a homeless grant program for local communities
Voted 20-0 against the Chester federal immigration detention facility
Introduced a resolution to support the MELT Act to hold federal agents accountable
While Washington attacks our neighbors, our services, and our rights, Dutchess County is fighting back — and we’re just getting started.
This past Monday, the Dutchess County Legislature voted 20-0 to oppose the proposed federal immigration detention facility in Chester, Orange County. That’s right: unanimous, bipartisan, and unambiguous.
This is exactly the kind of bold, values-driven action I ran to be part of, and as Assistant Majority Leader, I’m proud that our new Democratic majority is making it happen. While Washington wages war on immigrants, their families, and the rule of law, we stood up and said: not here, not like this.
This facility would have foreseeable regional impacts on Dutchess County, straining our hospitals, emergency services, housing, mental health providers, and social service systems, all without a shred of transparency or coordination from federal authorities. The NYS DEC flagged unresolved environmental concerns, including floodplains, wetlands, and the Hudson River watershed. We weren’t given answers. We weren’t even asked.
But this isn’t just about logistics and infrastructure. Let’s be clear about what we actually voted against: illegal incarceration without due process. People are held indefinitely, with no legal protection, no oversight, and no accountability, and people, including children, are dying from lack of medical care. That is what this facility represents.
Dutchess County is the site of New York’s ratification of the U.S. Constitution, which we are sworn to uphold due process, accountability, and the rule of law. We don’t take that lightly.
The Democratic majority in this Legislature takes that oath seriously, and we are going to keep proving it.
This is what it looks like when local government fights back. Elections have consequences, and one of those consequences is a Democratic majority that will stand up for our immigrant neighbors, our constitutional values, and our community’s future.
We will keep showing up, keep passing resolutions, keep putting our values on the record, and keep pushing to make sure our neighbors can live, work, and raise their families without fear.
Stay engaged, stay loud, and thank you for making this majority possible.
Housing affordability remains a major challenge in Dutchess County. In this video, I discuss two important steps we’re taking to help reduce pressure on housing costs:
Releasing $7 million from the Housing Trust Fund
My appointment to the IDA/LDC to help direct incentives toward housing development
These actions are about increasing supply, supporting smart development, and making our communities more affordable. Thanks for watching — more updates soon.
The future of our nation is at the top of our minds. It can often crowd out everything else that’s going on. It’s tough to follow current events no matter who you are. And just when you think it can’t get worse, it does.
Thanks to those who stopped by today during my office hours at Taste Budd’s: some old friends and a couple of new ones! We discussed public transit, the new grant program for homeless initiatives I pushed through late last year, and shrinking enrollments in local school districts.
Dutchess County is holding a public meeting on Wednesday, January 21, at 6:30 p.m. at Red Hook Town Hall about the planned replacement of county bridge RH-16. What is bridge RH-16, you ask?
Budget time is over, and my homeless grant proposal was incorporated into the budget. Thank you to everyone who wrote in support – it was a huge help. We’re working hard, preparing for our new Democratic majority starting next month!
Get important updates about Kris' campaign and county business
Hi! As your county legislator, I believe it is important to communicate with Red Hook and Tivoli about what is happening and give you the opportunity to weigh in with any thoughts or concerns you might have.
