I work for you. And whenever I am at a meeting or an event, I take that opportunity to connect with others who can help us here in Red Hook, Tivoli, Rhinebeck, and Dutchess County.
I attended an event yesterday, which allowed me to discuss Medicaid payments with three Hudson Valley state legislators: Assemblymembers Didi Barrett and Jonathan Jacobson and our own State Senator Michelle Hinchey. I’ve worked with Didi and Jonathan for years and frequently consult with them and Senator Hinchey to determine the real reason legislation is stalled and whether we can work together to move it forward.
As part of my constituent service, I’ve been working with residents at ArchCare Ferncliff Nursing Home and Rehab Center in Rhinebeck to push for an increase in the personal needs allowance (PNA) from the $50/month set in the 1990s to something more reasonable. I spoke with Assemblymember Sarahana Shrestha about this last session, and she is a co-sponsor of the current bill.
However, the state is bracing for the deep cuts in Medicaid in the proposed federal budget. Those cuts will result in hospital closures and deep cuts, Jacobson said, making it impossible to increase benefits like the PNA. Those closures will hurt all of us, not just those on Medicaid.
It would be up to the governor to make a PNA increase a priority for the state budget, and I’ll keep pushing for the increase just the same.
As a Town (not County) issue, I don’t have a vote, but I have recommended from the start that both sides sit down in good faith and work out a favorable resolution for all concerned. A lot of people feel strongly about this issue, but unfortunately, we are now seeing the escalation of personal attacks and real threats of violence against people and their families. This is wrong and not what I think most of us want. I urge everyone to acknowledge that, working together, we have accomplished a great deal in this town, and together we can find a solution to this issue.
I’ve spoken to a lot of people on both sides of this issue, and almost everyone I speak with would love to have public waterfront access somewhere.
However, I am not in favor of using eminent domain to make the Boat Club a public park. The town should reach out and seek a public-private partnership.
I’m committed to running a positive campaign based on facts despite the misinformation being spread by Republicans and my primary opponent’s supporters.
So here are some facts you may not know about this race:
I’m a lifelong Democrat who has spent 20 years in the Hudson Valley showing up to advance progressive values and policies, support the LGBTQ community, promote unions, protect marginalized groups, and stand up to hate.
My primary opponent has a new running mate: a Trump voter who donated thousands of dollars to Marc Molinaro, Sue Serino, the NYS Young Republicans, and other right-wing causes. My opponent helped him get on the ballot to run against Democrats, and in exchange, he received his endorsement.
April 5 Hands Off Protest
I’ve volunteered thousands of hours for Democratic and progressive causes and candidates, including efforts to protect our farms and open spaces and promote smart growth in our community.
My primary opponent only became a Democrat a few years ago when his business partner ran for Congress.Until now, he has never been involved in local progressive causes or politics.
Kris with Pat Ryan at a town hall
When Delgado ran for Congress in 2018, I was there helping his campaign. My opponent did not show up to vote.
When Pat Ryan ran against Molinaro, I got involved. My opponent? A no-show at the voting booth.
In fact, my opponent in this primary has missed 65% of the political elections and 2/3 of the school elections he could have voted in.
I’m proud of my record. I got involved two decades ago, helping to elect leaders and pass laws that protected our farms from development, preserved our open spaces, and prioritized growth in our villages.
I served for years as a volunteer on the Red Hook Planning Board, and later, the Zoning Board of Appeals, learning the ropes before running for elected office.
As a legislator, I passed term limits, ethics reform, and helped write the county’s Independent Redistricting law. I advocated for more resources to be allocated to the opioid epidemic and the mental health crisis. I held the administration accountable for construction cost overruns and poor planning practices.
In the last 18 months, I have led the fight to block a sales tax hike, organized efforts to restore the county bus line, funded new mental health services for our district, and allocated $2 million to reduce ambulance response times.
Being a county legislator means showing up and working hard as part of a team to do what’s best for our county. That’s why I’m so proud to have received endorsements from so many of my fellow legislators who can attest to my years of hard work on your behalf.
I have a proven track record of representing the people of our district and beating Republicans. This is not a safe district – it elected a Republican not long before I ran for office. We need a candidate who we know will work hard and show up to win in November.
Join me and my campaign and fight for our progressive values. Election Day is June 24.
Big news! A generous supporter has offered to match the first $50 of any donations starting today up to $1,000! That means your $50 donation would be matched to be $100, $25 would become $50, $100 would be $150, and so on.
I recently had the pleasure of meeting with the Residents’ Council at the ArchCare at Ferncliff Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center. The topic? The personal needs allowance provided by Medicaid to residents.
The monthly stipend has been stuck at $50/month since the 1990s.
Each year, a law moves forward in the NY State legislature to increase the stipend. This year’s law would raise it to $200 and index it to inflation. I’ve spoken with Assemblymember Shrestha and State Senator Hinchey on the topic, and both support the increase. But it hasn’t made it into the budget or out of committee, as it doesn’t appear to be a priority for the Governor.
Meanwhile, at the national level, Republicans are moving forward with a budget that would cut billions from Medicaid over the next 10 years, creating millions of uninsured and devastating state and county budgets.
In the coming months, I’ll continue to work with the residents and the local ombudsman to help lobby for this change.
In this conversation, I speak with Village of Red Hook Mayor Karen Smythe about the work to bring the village septic system into compliance, climate smart certification, and the village’s new composting program, which is funded by a Dutchess County grant.
As you may have heard, I have a primary opponent this year. A political newcomer has collected enough signatures to create a Democratic Primary on June 24.
Republicans have already begun rallying behind my primary opponent, hoping to weaken my candidacy or perhaps remove me: an experienced, effective, progressive voice.
I’m proud of my record. I got involved two decades ago, helping to elect leaders and pass laws that protected our farms from development, preserved our open spaces, and prioritized growth in our villages.
I served for years as a volunteer on the Red Hook Planning Board, and later, the Zoning Board of Appeals, learning the ropes before running for elected office.
As a legislator, I passed term limits, ethics reform, and helped write the county’s Independent Redistricting law. I advocated for more resources to be allocated to the opioid epidemic and the mental health crisis. I held the administration accountable for construction cost overruns and poor planning practices.
In just the last 18 months, I led the fight to block a sales tax hike, organized to restore the county bus line, funded new mental health services for our district, and allocated $2M to reduce ambulance response times.
Unfortunately, a primary means unexpected additional costs for flyers, mailings, and getting our message out to the voters. Please help me to continue this work in the legislature by making a contribution to our campaign.
Whatever you can contribute, $100, $50, $25, will make a difference. I cannot do it alone. That’s why I’m turning to you, the people who know me best, and inviting you to get involved in my campaign and help make a difference.
Last night, the Dutchess County Legislature voted unanimously to require members of two additional boards to complete the county’s ethical and financial disclosure forms annually. I have been working on this change for five years.
In 2019, the legislature passed new ethics rules and disclosure requirements that included adding the members of four boards: the Dutchess County Labor Development Corporation (LDC), Dutchess County Industrial Development Agency (IDA), the Dutchess County Resource Recovery Agency (RRA) and the Dutchess County Water and Wastewater Authority (WWA). But in 2020, the Molinaro Administration removed the four boards from the list after complaints were lodged by Republican donors on the IDA and LDC who did not want to disclose their business ties.
Each year, I made the argument for adding the IDA & LDC back onto the list and finally, last year, with new leadership in the executive and legislative branches, the Republicans agreed to do that. The members of the IDA & LDC guide tax breaks to businesses who create new jobs or bring jobs to our county.
Last night, we added the final two boards to restore the list we originally agreed upon.
Transparency and oversight have always been a top priority for me in the legislature, and I am gratified to finally achieve this milestone.
Dutchess County Comptroller Dan Aymar-Blair and I want to hear from you if you have lost a federal job, lost federal funding or any organization you are part of has lost federal money. Please visit this form and let us know!
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.
