Dutchess County Legislature Republican Caucus

10/02/2026

In July, the Democratic majority postponed the shelter vote for a month and a half, saying legislators needed more time to review the information.

Now, our Republican Caucus is learning through the news about a proposed law affecting our Sheriff and District Attorney that could come before committees next week. We have not received the proposal or been briefed on its details.

Why was additional review time necessary then, but apparently a few days is enough now? Why is the Democratic majority’s leadership so inconsistent about giving legislators time to do their jobs?

Public safety, privacy and the authority of independently elected officials deserve careful consideration. Every legislator should receive the full proposal with adequate time to review it, ask questions and understand its impact.

DUTCHESS COUNTY - Mid-Hudson News has learned of a proposed local law that would restrict how the District Attorney and Sheriff obtain crime-fighting surveillan

09/25/2026

Statement from the Republican Caucus on the use of Flock technology:

“We support District Attorney Anthony Parisi and Sheriff Kirk Imperati in withdrawing their backing of Dutchess County’s continued use of Flock Safety technology following concerns raised by residents.

Public safety and public trust must go hand in hand. Good government means listening to the community, evaluating new information and being willing to change course when appropriate.

We support an orderly transition away from Flock technology and will remain focused on public safety, privacy and the responsible use of taxpayer dollars.”

DISTRICT ATTORNEY PARISI AND SHERIFF IMPERATI WITHDRAW SUPPORT FOR DUTCHESS COUNTY'S CONTINED USE OF FLOCK TECHNOLOGY FOLLOWING COMMUNITY FORUMS - See full release for details.

Full details: https://crimewatch.net/us/ny/dutchess/da/326340/post/district-attorney-parisi-and-sheriff-imperati-withdraw-support-dutchess-countys-contined

08/18/2026

Have old electronics, household chemicals, propane tanks, or other hazardous materials you need to safely dispose of?

Dutchess County’s next Household Hazardous Waste and Electronics Recycling Event will be held on Saturday, September 19, at the Dutchess County Fairgrounds in Rhinebeck.

Online registration opens Wednesday, August 19, at 9:00 a.m. Space is limited to the first 400 Dutchess County households, and the registration fee is $10.

Visit the link below for details and registration information.

08/07/2026

Take two minutes to watch this.

Beyond the politics and the process are real people who need a safe place to stay and the support to get back on their feet.

That's what the HOPE Center is designed to do.

07/29/2026

Stay safe out there!

⚠️ A FLASH FLOOD WARNING was issued early this morning for Dutchess County as rainfall continues resulting in road closures - Significant closures include: Route 9 in the Town of Fishkill, near Snow Valley is closed. Route 52 in the Town of East Fishkill, near John Jay High School is closed ⛔️ The FLOOD WARNING continues until 8pm tonight. Use caution on roadways this morning and never drive across a road covered in water.

07/28/2026

Legislator McHoul perfectly summed up our special meeting.

07/26/2026

You are going to see many posts from members of the Democratic Caucus saying they “never received a seat at the table” during negotiations over 26 Oakley.

Let’s set the record straight on negotiations.

Legislators were not “shut out.” Negotiating agreements on behalf of Dutchess County is a responsibility of the Executive Branch. The Legislature’s role is to review what comes before us, ask questions, debate, and vote.

Look at two real-life examples from just the past few months.

The Legislature did not negotiate the CSEA contract, yet approved it unanimously. The Legislature did not negotiate the Dutchess Community College budget, yet approved it unanimously. Both passed with very little debate.

Our job is to review, ask questions, debate, and vote.

No one asked anyone to rubber stamp the 26 Oakley agreement. Department heads were there Thursday to answer questions. The body had the opportunity to ask those questions and debate the agreement. Instead, a motion was made to postpone before that debate took place.

Vote yes. Vote no. Ask tough questions. Demand answers.

But “we weren’t at the negotiating table” is not a reason to avoid the vote.

07/25/2026

County Executive Sue Serino is calling on the Dutchess County Legislature to hold another special meeting after the Democratic Majority delayed a vote on the agreement for the proposed HOPE Center at 26 Oakley Street. She warns that further delays could have real consequences for taxpayers and the individuals who would rely on the facility.

07/24/2026

This may be some of the most pathetic displays of leadership we’ve seen in local government.

The Democratic majority called a special meeting, requiring the entire Legislature to come in to vote on the homeless shelter settlement agreement. They had the votes. They controlled the agenda. They controlled the outcome.

Then, after a 30-minute delay for a closed-door caucus, they voted to postpone the issue until September because they suddenly had “more questions.”

Think about that.

If you weren’t ready to vote, why call a special meeting in the first place? Why bring in legislators, staff, and the public just to delay the very vote you scheduled?

Leadership means making decisions, especially when you have the majority. Kicking the can down the road after calling an emergency meeting isn’t leadership—it’s dysfunction.

Dutchess County residents deserve better than political theater.

POUGHKEEPSIE - Twenty-four hours after the Poughkeepsie Common Council approved the settlement agreement allowing a Dutchess County homeless shelter on Oakley S

07/24/2026

A Special Meeting. A Postponed Vote. And Potentially Millions More for Dutchess County Taxpayers.

Tonight, members of the Dutchess County Legislature were called in for a special meeting to consider a resolution regarding the agreement to move forward with 26 Oakley.

We showed up prepared to do the job we were called in to do.

But once the meeting began, the Democrat Majority moved to postpone the very resolution we had been called in to consider.

That raises a simple question: Why call a special meeting if the Democrat Majority had no intention of allowing the Legislature to vote?

Unfortunately, this isn’t just about wasting legislators’ time.

The current bids associated with this project are set to expire Saturday. By postponing tonight’s vote and potentially allowing those bids to expire, this delay could ultimately cost Dutchess County taxpayers millions of dollars more.

If the Democrat Majority had concerns that prevented them from moving forward, those concerns should have been addressed before calling a special meeting—not after legislators arrived ready to vote and with a critical deadline just days away.

Leadership means doing the work ahead of time. It means understanding the consequences of delay. And most importantly, it means respecting the taxpayers who will ultimately be responsible for the bill.

Tonight, the Legislature had an opportunity to act.

The Democrat Majority chose to postpone.

Now Dutchess County taxpayers could be left paying the price.

That is not responsible government. That is poor leadership.