Last week, we provided a recap of the Legislature meeting on 2/19/2025 that had both a Rules committee meeting and an Audit committee meeting.
I was there to provide Public comments on two critical issues to the residents of District 5 (Carmel Hamlet, Kent), and the residents of Putnam County at large.
Sales Tax Surplus Redistribution
After Putnam Valley Town Supervisor Jacqueline Annabi and Patterson Town Supervisor Richard Williams spoke, I spoke on behalf of the public and the residents of Carmel Hamlet and Kent. Bottom Line:
The County hording millions in Sales Tax revenue, paid at the businesses in our local towns and villages, does nothing to help tax payers who need their local governments for critical infrastructure needs.
Public Speaking Rights
As mentioned in the recap of Sales Tax Revenue share meeting from the Putnam County Legislature on 2/19/2025, during the Rules committee meeting that same evening, Legislator Crowley of District 9 introduced a resolution to the Legislative Manual that would codify the rights of the public to speak at committee and legislature meetings BEFORE any votes are taken.
As of now, that decision is left to the whims of whomever may be the chairperson for said committee. I had thoughts on that and offered them directly to the legislators:
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