POUGHKEEPSIE – State Senator Rob Rolison, the City of Poughkeepsie’s former mayor, and Senator James Skoufis, visited Poughkeepsie on Thursday afternoon to deliver state funding to community-building organizations. Republican Rolison representing District 39, and Skoufis, a Democrat representing District 42, said the bipartisan visit is an example of how the two work well together for the benefit of their districts.
In announcing $160,000 of funding for various programs, the two senators also explained their working relationship.
“I see a strength in bipartisanship,” Rolison said, noting that two Hudson Valley congressmen, Marc Molinaro (R, NY-19) and Pat Ryan (D, NY-18) work together on issues that benefit the entire Hudson Valley when the need arises. “There are a lot of people working together and that’s how things get done.”
Senator Skoufis said, “There are some colleagues who look at the lay of the political landscape in Albany – Democrats have a supermajority in the senate, Democrats have a supermajority in the assembly. Democrats have control of the governor’s office and there are some colleagues who don’t want to work with the Republicans.” Skoufis intimated that not working across the aisle is flawed logic. “I really think that perspective feeds a real toxicity, it feeds an unhealthy body politic, and it’s certainly not one that I subscribe to.”
Rolison and Skoufis both agreed that they are willing to work with senators, regardless of political affiliation, if it benefits the residents of the Mid-Hudson Valley.
The $160,000 in grant funding is being distributed as follows:
- $60,000 for the City of Poughkeepsie Police Department
- Family Services/SNUG $50,000
- Rebuilding Our Children and Community $30,000
- Boys and Girls Club Poughkeepsie $20,000
