The Dutchess County Legislature welcomed eight new members and elected a new chairman Tuesday night, Jan. 8.
By a 14-10 vote, the Legislature selected former minority leader Roger Higgins (D-Poughkeepsie/Wappinger), to take the place of the previous chairman, Gary Cooper (R-North East/Stanford/Pine Plains/Milan).
With the Democrats now in the majority for the first time in 30 years, changes are anticipated in this new Legislature. In his address, Higgins said that the possibilities are energizing.
“Let’s be honest,” he said. “Who would’ve thought this day would occur?”
Higgins highlighted items that will be a priority for the Democrat-led Legislature, including previous issues like well-water testing, electrical licensing laws for electrical contractors and domestic partnership registration. Democrats hold a 14-11 majority on the Legislature.
Several imminent legislative priorities were also delineated.
The Legislature is still working on a report on the Dutchess County LOOP transportation system, which could eventually implement changes in the organization, Higgins said.
He also said that with the proliferation of colleges in the area, the Legislature will examine social host laws, which hold accountable adults over 18 who rent or own a home and provide alcohol to minors.
“We have a lot of colleges in the area, and underage drinking is a problem,” he said. “If we can save just one person’s life, this Legislature will be worth it.”
The chairman also pledged to deal with overcrowding in the county jail.
“We need to get a dialogue started between the sheriff and this office, and I’m going to get the dialogue started,” said Higgins.
Higgins additionally expressed interest in evaluating a need for adding housing at Dutchess Community College, discussing regulation of college tuition and working with Walkway Over the Hudson, the organization working to preserve the Poughkeepsie-Highland Railroad Bridge by turning it into a scenic walkway.
Dealing with the freeze
The hiring freeze issued in an executive order by County Executive William Steinhaus on Dec. 20 was also a matter of discussion Tuesday night. The freeze is preventing the Legislature from hiring and paying its staff.
Higgins referred to the freeze as “an elephant in the room,” and said that he didn’t understand its implementation before the beginning of the fiscal year.
“The state of New York hasn’t even taken this position,” he said. “It makes us all a bit curious.”
Several resolutions affected by the hiring freeze were removed from the meeting’s agenda, including those to appoint a legislative clerk, deputy clerk, and Legislature counsel. A resolution giving the Legislature chairman power to pursue legal action against Steinhaus for the hiring freeze was also taken off the agenda.
Clerk-designee Daniel French of Beekman was nominated for the legislative clerk position during a Dec. 5 Democratic Caucus vote, but a 12-2 vote on Jan. 8 prevented the appointment.
In a press release distributed before the meeting, French said that the decision was disheartening.
“This political maneuvering within the Democratic Party comes as a shock and a disappointment to me,” said French.
However, despite some conflict and with plenty to discuss in the upcoming year, Higgins said that legislators should revere the opportunity they’ve been given.
“The gift of service to your community is one of the best you can be given,” he said. “Let’s put bipartisan bickering aside.”
Higgins said that the eight new legislators represent a 32 percent change in the Legislature.
Newly sworn-in legislator Pete Wassell (D-Dover/Union Vale) said that both his new membership and the change in power are stimulating.
“I believe that new membership signals desire for change, and with one-third new membership in the Dutchess County Legislature, that means significant change,” said Wassell. “I am very encouraged by this group of legislators, and I think that we will see unparalleled idea generation with a bias toward action.”
Legislator Joel Tyner (D-Rhinebeck/Clinton) also said that he felt positive.
“I look forward to the next two years with optimism, in the hopes that we’ll be able to come together across party lines,” said Tyner.
Other new legislators sworn in include Angela Flesland (R-Town of Poughkeepsie), James R. Doxsey (D-Town of Poughkeepsie), John Forman (R-Beacon), Dan Kuffner (D-Hyde Park), Tom Mansfield (D-Red Hook), Robert Weiss (R-East Fishkill) and Steve White (D-City of Poughkeepsie).
Sandra Goldberg (D-Wappingers Falls) was named majority leader.
The Dutchess County Legislature will next meet Jan. 31.