Republicans hit a foul ball on stadium, comptroller says

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Dutchess Stadium in 2021 - now known as Heritage Financial Park. Copyright Mid-Hudson News

POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Comptroller Robin Lois, a Democrat, is crying foul over county legislature Republicans’ vote Thursday night to move $25 million from the general fund into the capital projects plan for improvements to Dutchess Stadium, a county park.  The amendment was made as part of the deliberation on the 2023 operating budget for the county.

Minutes before the start of the meeting, Lois was briefed on the proposed amendment but was not provided any documentation.  Lois, the county’s top-elected Democrat sent an email to the lawmakers prior to the amendment being offered, advising them not to follow through because it would violate county policy.

The legislature had held two prior public hearings on the budget and no mention of stadium improvements was made.

“A project of this magnitude deserves public comment and the normal legislative process and review as all other projects.  Adopting this amendment will remove that legislative and public oversight,” Lois said. “This last-minute amendment will be perceived poorly as an effort to avoid proper public oversight on an already contentious and controversial project.”

After the vote to include the $25 million expenditure in the budget passed, including support from Democrat Randall Johnson, Lois expressed her dismay at the way it happened, telling Mid-Hudson News, “My anger is directed at the fact that $25 million of taxpayer dollars was pushed through at the twelfth hour with zero notice to me, the public, or the full legislature.”




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