The resolution to be considered at the September meeting calls for additional aid to be given to the MTA in the upcoming 2008-2009 Executive Budget to offset the increase. The legislation also calls for the MTA to adopt a three-year plan for rates to help avoid dramatic spikes and increases in rates.

             The resolution will also ask the governor to join State Comptroller DiNapoli in opposing the proposed rate hike. The governor has not yet opposed the increase, but has said he does not want to see congestion pricing.

             “Unfortunately, congestion pricing and an MTA rate hike are linked for Dutchess commuters. We would bear an unfair brunt of the rate hike and congestion pricing if both are enacted, based on the number of commuters from our county,” said Pawling Legislator David Kelly.

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            The proposed rate hike would impact Dutchess County residents who commute to the city, said members of the majority caucus. The rate hike is being considered at a time when state lawmakers are considering a congestion pricing plan that would also impact Dutchess County residents and commuters.

            “The latest MTA rate hike will take a real bite out of the pockets of Dutchess County commuters, forcing them to pay even more for a basic and needed service,” said Legislator Rob Rolison, whose constituency includes parts of the City of Poughkeepsie, MTA’s northernmost stop on the Hudson River line.

            “When you add the cost for gasoline, an MTA rate hike and possible congestion pricing, it adds up to a triple-whammy for Dutchess County residents and commuters. Our residents would unfairly bear the brunt of this increase,” added Legislator Tim Basting, (R-Dover).

            Majority legislators said they would like to see a renewed effort by federal, state and New York City elected officials to increase funding to the MTA to help offset the increase and a renewed effort by the MTA to reduce the increase.

            At the least, the MTA rate hike should be delayed until the full effects of a congestion pricing plan are known, said Legislator Gerald Hutchings (R-Beekman).

            “An MTA rate hike, coupled with congestion pricing, could mean hundreds of dollars in new costs for Dutchess County commuters. That is simply too high of a cost for our residents,” Hutchings said.

            Majority legislators said they will introduce legislation to be considered at the County Legislature’s September meeting asking the MTA to delay or reduce the amount of the proposed rate hike.

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Legislative Majority Set to Back Improved County Radio Dispatch System

Members of the Republican majority in the Dutchess County Legislature are ready to support a resolution for the installation of an improved radio dispatch system for use by county emergency services.

The simulcast radio dispatch system will correct weak spots in radio reception by providing a stronger signal, and helping improve transmissions throughout the county for fire, ambulance and police agencies.

“The new radio dispatch system will improve emergency communications among first responders throughout the county and help save lives for years to come,” said Majority Leader Noreen Reilly (R-Hyde Park) whose sons serve as first responders in local fire and police departments.

The simulcast radio dispatch system will develop seven tower sites to create a unified system and produce a stronger signal.

 “Once again Dutchess County is out in front of other counties in taking the lead to improve emergency response and the quality of life of county residents,” said City of Poughkeepsie Legislator Rob Rolison, a detective for the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department.

The system employs state-of-the-art technology and has received strong support from emergency services officials across the county.

Republican legislators said their support for the project demonstrates their commitment to keeping public safety services strong in Dutchess County.

“The addition of this system demonstrates the strong partnership between Dutchess County government and the brave men and women who help protect lives and property everyday across the county,” said Legislator Suzanne Horn (R-Pleasant Valley). “Together we are doing our part to keep county residents and their families safe and sound.”

The proposal introduced by County Executive William Steinhaus calls for the bonding of $1.5 million. The system would be up and running during the latter half of 2008.

“While we are very watchful about spending, we believe the cost is reasonable,” said Public Works and Capital Projects Committee Chairman Gerald Hutchings (R-Beekman) whose committee is considering the bond resolution. “We also recognize the improved emergency response system will benefit everyone who lives and works in Dutchess County, particularly those in need who depend on emergency services.”

The legislation for the improved radio dispatch system will be considered at the August 9th 3:30pm Public Works committee meeting and the August 13th 6:00pm full legislature meeting.

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PRESS RELEASE:  May 3, 2007

County Legislature Seeks to Assess and Improve Incarceration Programs

           The County Legislature will be revisiting how the County handles its incarcerated through three separate resolutions to be considered at its May meeting.

While acknowledging that overcrowding at the Dutchess County Jail causes the County to increasingly house-out inmates in out-of-county jails, Public Safety Committee Chairman Rob Rolison says the Legislature will be looking this month at a series of initiatives to lessen jail overcrowding and improve the efficiency of the criminal justice system. The three different strategies are complimentary, Rolison says.

            Whereas Dutchess County has been leading the nation in innovative community corrections initiatives designed to supervise offenders in community settings as an alternative to incarceration, Rolison says the first resolution will release funding to the Office of Probation to establish an appropriate residence for electronic monitoring of low-risk offenders without compromising public safety.

            “We held a public hearing on the program of electronic monitoring housing in March,” Rolison said, “and while the details of location still need to be worked out, the response to the concept was very warmly received.” Resolution 207038 will amend the County Budget to permit the Office of Probation to proceed in developing a program of housing program for supervised electronic monitoring in keeping with the 2005 recommendations of the Criminal Justice Council.

            The second initiative will conduct a study of our jail population to take a critical look at the success/failure rate of the County’s alternatives to incarceration program. “Through an objective system-wide analysis we can evaluate where the County’s approach is working – and where it is not,” Rolison said about Resolution #207142, “so as to better respond to the needs of the criminal justice system in shielding the public and determining how best to rehabilitate offenders and reduce jail population.” A presentation on the compiled analysis would then be presented by the Criminal Justice Council personnel to the Legislature at its July meeting.

            Reducing jail population is a high priority of the third resolution, which asks Governor Eliot Spitzer to make good on a pledge he made in January to take responsibility for its parole violators that are now housed in the Dutchess County Jail. Noting that 10-30 state parolees housed in the Dutchess County jail cost the Dutchess County taxpayer about $110 each per day, Resolution #207143, requests that the State reimburse the County for its expenses and delay no longer in removing the state parole violators to make room for the County’s inmates.

            All three resolutions aimed at improving the management of the County’s inmate population will be considered at the Public Safety Committee’s meeting on Thursday, May 10 at 4:00 pm, and voted on by the full Legislature on Monday, May 14, 2007 at 6pm. Both meetings are open to the public. The full Legislature meeting will be aired live at www.co.dutchess.ny.us/CountyGov/Departments/Legislature/CLindex.htm, and later archived on the county’s website for later viewings.         

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PRESS RELEASE:  January 25, 2007

Rolison Appointed Chairman of Public Safety

Dutchess County – The Dutchess County Legislature’s Public Safety Committee has a new head this Legislative Session with the appointment of county legislator Rob Rolison (R-Poughkeepsie) as chairman. A 25-year veteran of the Town of Poughkeepsie Police Department, Rolison has been a member of the county legislature since 2003.

            “A leading county voice in support of the rights of crime victims, as both a detective and a public advocate, Rob Rolison was the natural choice to shepherd the Legislature’s efforts to keep the public safe,” said Chairman Gary Cooper in appointing Rolison, “Rob’s the right man for the job.”

            In addition to being a steering member of the Dutchess County sex offender management study, Rolison is also the chairman of the Crime Victims Committee of the Criminal Justice Council. He received a crime victim’s rights award from Family Services of Dutchess County in 2006.

January 24, 2006

PRESS RELEASE:  For immediate release

Kendall Appoints Rolison Chairman of Family and Human Services

Chairman of the Dutchess County Legislature, Bradford Kendall, R-Dover/Union Vale, has announced his appointment of Legislator Robert Rolison, R-City/Town of Poughkeepsie, as Chairman of the legislature’s Family and Human Services Committee. 

Rolison stated, “I am honored to chair this important committee, and I look forward to working with the human service agencies and other community organizations, whose goal is to ensure the safety and welfare of our community.” 

Chairman Kendall added, “Legislator Rolison has a strong record of working with many community agencies throughout Dutchess County, and has earned a reputation as a respected advocate for people in need of various services.  I know he’ll be an affective chairman of this committee.”

Rolison concluded by saying, “I look forward to working with my colleagues on this committee.  There is much work ahead of us, and we must ensure that by collectively working together, we can and we will continue to make Dutchess County a safe and healthy place for people, to live, visit, and work in.”

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Contact Bryan Cranna

845-486-2103

February 7, 2006

PRESS RELEASE:  For immediate release

GOP Legislators: Protect Children and Families From Dangerous Sexual Predators

Republicans on the Dutchess County Legislature have proposed a resolution that calls upon the New York State Senate and Assembly to pass Governor George Pataki’s five-point plan to protect children and families from sexual predators.

The five-point plan that the Governor presented in his recent State of the State Address includes:

• Requiring the civil confinement of dangerous sexual predators
• Creating longer sentences for those convicted of sexually violent crimes
• Making New York State’s Megan’s Law even stronger
• Ending the Statute of Limitations for rape and sexual assault
• Requiring every criminal who commits a crime to give a DNA sample

Chairman of the Dutchess County Legislature, Bradford Kendall, R-Dover/Union Vale, stated, "The Governor’s plan sends a strong message and one that I agree with wholeheartedly. Violent and sexual crimes against those most vulnerable, especially our children, will not be tolerated, and those who commit such heinous acts will be punished severely."

"Adoption of these steps will send a clear and strong message that the people of this State will not tolerate the violent attack against any citizen, especially our children. Further, we will treat violent rape as the heinous crime it is," stated Legislator Marc Molinaro, R-Red Hook.

Molinaro, who led the County Legislature's Child Protection Commission added, "Making use of modern science and tested technology will ensure the protection of our children and enhance our ability to solve and prevent crimes."

The Governor’s plan would also require all criminals to give a DNA sample. The expansion of the DNA data bank coupled with the ending of statute of limitations for rape and sexual assault, will aide in the investigations and prosecutions of criminal acts committed by repeat offenders.

Legislator Robert Rolison, R-City/Town of Poughkeepsie, concluded by saying, "The plan proposed by Governor Pataki will keep dangerous individuals behind bars and out of our communities. Requiring the civil confinement for sexual predators and establishing longer prison sentences is a strong step in ensuring that those most vulnerable and precious, our children, can be protected from those who would want to bring harm to them."

Legislators Mary Swartz, R-East Fishkill, and Legislator Marge Horton, R-East Fishkill are also co-sponsors of the resolution. The resolution will be before the Dutchess County Legislature’s Family and Human Services Committee on Thursday, February 9th, and then before the full legislature on February 14th.

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