TOWN OF POUGHKEEPSIE – The need for housing remains a front burner issue and state officials discussed it at the annual seminar at recently.
State Senator Rob Rolison, State Assemblywoman Paula Elaine Kay, and State Association of Towns Executive Director Chris Koetzle discussed the housing crisis in Dutchess County and throughout the state of New York.
When it comes to state-level housing as a solution to this crisis, the moderator gave examples of initiatives that had worked in states across the country, but the speakers brought up valid points about the obstacles that New York state faces when it comes to these projects.
“There is this natural reaction to the state of New York telling you what you’re gonna do, and sometimes you’re gonna pay for it. And even if it is a good idea, there is this suspicion of the state government,” said Senator Rolison. “The state needs to stick to the policy of working together instead of saying ‘you’re gonna do this’ because once you say that, the conversation is over,” he continued, emphasizing the state government’s role in building trust with municipalities throughout the state.
“I think that the local system zoning works,” said Kay, a former municipal attorney, adding “I think the state’s role is to come in and have the programs, actually fund the programs, and make sure the funding gets to the municipalities,” while emphasizing the role of the state in these housing initiatives. “I like the governor’s program for manufactured and modular homes… but in terms of where they go and how they get there, that should be local,” Kay said.
On working with Kay, even though the districts don’t overlap, Rolison said he’s looking forward to it. The former mayor of Poughkeepsie – turned senator said, “The Democrats run the show in Albany, but I’ll tell you what – there are a lot of good thoughts on both sides of the aisle, and they should all be taken at their value.” The Republican lawmaker said, “Just because one particular party is in the majority, doesn’t mean the other party shouldn’t be heard – and that is why we make sure we’re heard.”
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