In this conversation, I speak with Democratic Minority Leader Yvette Valdés Smith about our work stopping a sales tax hike in Dutchess County.
Are federal cuts impacting you?
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!
https://www.dutchessny.gov/Departments/Comptroller/Comptroller-Federal-Funding-Intake-Form.htm
Hands Off!
Great Hands Off! rally in Kingston today protesting the wanton destruction and pillaging of our Federal Government by Elon Musk and the Trump Administration. Incredible turnout despite the rain. It was great to run into so many Red Hook and Rhinebeck folks at the event.
Transparency and oversight
In this conversation, I speak with Lisa Kaul, Dutchess County Legislator for District 6 in the Town of Poughkeepsie. We discuss our efforts to improve transparency and oversight in county government. Legislator Kaul is a freshman member of our body who has been doing great work, and I’m proud to have partnered with her on this effort.
New mental health services coming to NW Dutchess
As part of last year’s budget, we expanded funding for mental health services specifically for our area. New medical office space is being created at the old Pet Country location and if all goes well, the new services will be available by year’s end. Check out the video to learn more.
Checking in with Gary Bassett, the Mayor of the Village of Rhinebeck
In this conversation, I speak with Mayor Gary Bassett of Rhinebeck about some of the village’s current initiatives and plans. They discuss the recent revamping of the comprehensive plan, efforts to improve housing affordability, the Safe Routes to School initiative, and the challenges posed by climate change.
A conversation with Red Hook Town Supervisor Robert McKeon
In this conversation, I speak with Robert McKeon about the various projects and developments in the Town of Red Hook. We discuss the ongoing updates to the comprehensive plan, infrastructure improvements, the trail system, and community engagement.
Sales tax renewal is on the agenda. We fought and defeated a sales tax increase last time.
As I head off to our January board meeting, where we will ask the state to keep our sales tax at the same level, a reminder that in December 2023, the Dutchess County Republicans voted to increase your sales taxes while I proposed a cut. Thankfully, county and state dems were able to stop the increase from going into effect and lo and behold, last year’s budget was passed without incident even without the extra money.
