MCLAUGHLIN CALLS OUT DECEPTION BY DEMOCRAT-ALLIES IN MISREPRESENTING COUNTY BUDGET PROCESS

MCLAUGHLIN CALLS OUT DECEPTION BY DEMOCRAT-ALLIES IN MISREPRESENTING COUNTY BUDGET PROCESS AND MAKING FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION

Rensselaer County Executive Steve McLaughlin is calling out a blatant act of deception by allies of Democrats in the County Legislature, who are attempting to claim funds from sewer rates are being used to support the 2027 county budget proposal.

McLaughlin is demanding an immediate retraction of the misinformation being distributed to county residents and taxpayers.

“This a blatant lie, and one that attempts to fool residents and taxpayers into believing there is a link between the general fund in the county budget and sewer rates. There is no link. It is a shameful and deliberate deception that I am calling out today,” said McLaughlin.

“The 2027 budget is the ninth consecutive county property tax rate decrease introduced by my administration and no funds for the proposed budget or the property tax rate reduction utilize any funds from sewer rates. That is not possible under state law, and our county is regularly audited and reviewed on management issues like this one. Additionally, there is nothing in the budget proposal that suggests any such use of sewer funds,” added McLaughlin.

The deception in a social media post by the Democrat-allies is clear, as special district funds, including sewer rates, cannot be added or subtracted from the county general fund. State law requires the funds to be kept separate, and sewer rates are determined by the Sewer District Board of Commissioners.

A social media post from the Troy Indivisible group made the following false claim in recent days:

“What could it be? A budget showing sewer revenues static with an 18% increase proposed for 2027? And just where would this money be going? Capital improvements or just into the general fund? Join us November 10 to try to “flush” out some answers.”

The post by Troy Indivisible regarding sewer rents has been cited by members of the Legislature’s Democratic Minority. McLaughlin called on members of the Minority to renounce the post and join him in demanding a retraction.

“It is well-known that sewer and special district rates cannot be part of the general fund. Despite this, an organization allied with county Democrats is lying about the budget proposal, our ninth consecutive county tax rate decrease and the management of public money. That is wrong,” said McLaughlin.

“The series of county property tax rate reductions has made Rensselaer County a statewide leader in reducing the burden on taxpayers. Our ninth consecutive tax rate reduction is real and one we are very proud of to deliver to the people of our county,” said McLaughlin.

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