Measure Twice, Cut Once: Why Ulster County Needs a Pause on the Fair Taxes Act

By Don Tallerman and Stew Meyers, Co-Chairs of Ulster Strong

Every resident of Ulster County knows that affordability has reached a crisis point. From working families trying to stretch their weekly groceries to seniors on fixed incomes facing rising utility bills, the financial strain is real, and it is immediate. Ulster Strong shares the deep concern for our neighbors' financial well-being, and we agree that our community deserves meaningful relief.

However, good intentions do not automatically guarantee good policy. When rewriting the economic rules of our county, we owe it to taxpayers to lead with facts and reason, not emotion. That is why Ulster Strong is calling for an extended pause on the passage of the Ulster County for Fair Taxes Act.

A pause is not a rejection of fairness; it is a commitment to prudence.

Right now, the push to pass this sweeping tax structure change is wrapped in an unnecessary, self-imposed rush. Because the New York State Legislature has already adjourned until January, there is absolutely no legislative window open to advance this proposal at the state level right now. We have been handed a rare, zero-cost opportunity to lower the temperature of this debate. A pause gives our community the time to move away from divisive rhetoric and toward a collaborative, analytical process.

Before we permanently alter our local tax landscape by adding a first-ever county income tax, we must answer several critical questions about the scale and timing of the problem we are trying to solve. Currently, proponents have provided only broad, shifting estimates of what an income tax surcharge would raise, without defining the precise financial gap the county is facing or when it will hit. Implementing a sweeping tax policy without clear data is like a doctor prescribing a heavy round of medication before diagnosing the illness.

Furthermore, the public deserves a transparent explanation of how county decision-makers evaluated alternative fiscal solutions before arriving at a brand-new tax surcharge as the sole mechanism.

Ulster County is not starting from a position of financial weakness. The county ended 2024 with a robust combined fund balance of over $182 million. While preliminary figures suggest that 2025 saw the first major decline in the county’s rain-day fund in over a decade, the county's audited 2025 financial statements are expected to be released this coming September. It is fiscally irresponsible to rush into creating an unprecedented tax surcharge before our leaders have even analyzed the actual, audited financial numbers from last year.

A pause until the Fall would allow lawmakers to thoroughly review the county’s recent financial performance as they begin budget negotiations for the 2027 fiscal year. It would give them the time to answer vital questions: Have we rigorously evaluated internal cost reductions? Is drawing down a prudent portion of our healthy reserves an option? Are there other more effective and equitable ways to raise revenue?

The most sustainable, long-term solution to support working families and seniors is to recommit to growing Ulster County’s economy. By expanding our local tax base — supporting local small businesses, fostering job creation, and inviting responsible economic development — we can generate the revenue needed to fund vital public services without increasing the burden on individual residents.

Let’s take advantage of the current legislative pause at the state level to do the hard work locally. Let’s look at the audited numbers this fall, consult with our local employers, and build a consensus-driven plan that protects everyone.

Let’s measure twice, so we only have to cut once.