Steinhaus Vetoes Electrical Licensing Board Fees, Accusing Dems of “The Big Lie”

POUGHKEEPSIE – Democrats on the Dutchess County Legislature who advocated for and passed a local law establishing an electrical licensing law maintain fees will cover the costs of the program.

But, County Executive William Steinhaus, a Republican, Friday issued a scathing four page memo telling the Democratic majority they are perpetuating “The Big Lie” about covering cost.

“It is fascinating to listen to Chairman (Roger) Higgins and Legislator (William) McCabe as they continue their cover-up and deny their own responsibility in not thoroughly evaluating nor transparently presenting the associated costs of implementation and the property tax funding of the licensing proposal.” Having said that, he vetoed a resolution that would fund the electrical licensing board.

The measure passed, earlier this month, on a mostly partisan 14 – 10 vote. That’s not a sufficient margin to override a veto.

McCabe Friday said the fees will definitely cover the costs. “The monies collected by fees would cover all of the costs incurred by the licensing board,” he said. “This is the way it is in all the counties and in the cities where licensing electricians is, in fact, the law. So, we have a long track record to look at in other counties and the fees cover the costs and then some.”

Steinhaus’ office said he was unavailable to discuss his memo and referred all comments to the Democratic leadership of the county legislature.

Comments

On Aug-22-2009 10:00 PM:
The executive must have Selective Memory on this . The city of Poughkeepsie has approx. 120 Electricians willing to register NOW. This is a $350.00 dollar annual fee. Simple MATHMATICS puts the FUND at over $45,000.00 / more than the $ 32,000. needed per Year for a secretary.  This is an executive who rams LIES into everyone’s heads. Who will assist the Majority and defend the peoples Choices? Certainly not the PJ.