POUGHKEEPSIE – Legislature Chairman Gregg Pulver has canceled the April meetings for the Dutchess County legislature amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a memo to legislators, announcing the cancelations, Pulver said “I have canceled the April 9 Committee Meetings and April 14 Board Meeting. As Chairman, it is my duty to ensure the direction to cancel gatherings of more than twenty (20) people is faithfully executed. Our meetings would not be in compliance as they are comprised of thirty (30) or more Legislators, legislative staff, and other County employees.”
Pulver added “It is my intent to hold May Committee Meetings and Board Meeting remotely by conference call or similar service pursuant to New York State Executive Order No. 202.1, Continuing Temporary Suspension and Modification of Laws Relating to the Disaster Emergency, assuming it is still in effect.”
Bracing his fellow lawmakers for potential revenue shortfalls, Pulver said “Before the May meetings, the County will have the first-quarter sales tax returns, an understanding of the many new spending mandates and regulatory changes imposed by the State 2020-2021 budget, and hopefully a statewide plan to reopen the economy. An evaluation of these items should be undertaken prior to the Legislature’s authorization of additional appropriations because without this information it will be difficult to project our fiscal health and safeguard taxpayer funds.”
After consultation with the County Executive, it has been determined that the administration does not need further legal authority, at this time, to expend funds or take action in response to the COVID-19 public health crisis. I greatly appreciate the open lines of communication with the administration through this entire crisis and their desire to keep the Legislature fully informed. I know many of us have asked questions and offered suggestions to better respond which I believe has only made us stronger, better prepared and better responders.
