Rensselaer County Legislators – Republican Legislative Campaign Committee News Release

District 3: Richard Salisbury

Towns of Brunswick, Pittstown and Schaghticoke

Following an upgrade in the county's credit rating and a 2009 county budget that did not raise property taxes, Vice Chairman for Finance Richard Salisbury has announced his bid for re-election.

Salisbury serves as chairman of the Legislature's Finance Committee, which reviews all resolutions that include a fiscal impact for the county. Salisbury is known for his careful approach to budgeting and reviewing county spending, and for his opposition to the growing cost of state and federal mandates.

Mandates now take up approximately 90 cents out of every county tax dollar, and continued escalation of mandates threatens county taxpayers and needed county services.

"The fact that state and federal mandates are consuming such a large part of our budget is one reason why I am seeking re-election. I want to continue fighting against outrageous mandates and the huge debt being incurred for future generations," added Salisbury.

Salisbury has extensive experience in municipal budgeting and finance. He serves as comptroller of Quality Retail Systems, a business owned by his family in Schaghticoke. Salisbury also served as Schaghticoke supervisor and member of the Town Board.

Along with his work on county fiscal matters, Salisbury has also supported the successful Agricultural and Farmland Protection program, which made the county eligible to receive funding to protect open space. To date, the program has protected 3,200 acres of open space throughout the county.

Salisbury has voted to protect funding for county services for seniors, veterans and youths, and to reduce the amount of tax increases in previous budgets. He supported the revitalization of commercial property in District 3 to protect and create jobs.

"Rich is a fiscal conservative and he is very careful in watching county spending. He is also one of the most outspoken when it comes to fighting against the enormous cost of state and federal mandates," said Chairman of the Legislature Neil J. Kelleher.

Salisbury is a representative of the towns of Schaghticoke, Brunswick and Pittstown along with Vice Chairman of the Legislature Thomas Walsh Sr. and Legislator Ken Herrington. He is part of a large family who are active in the community.

(For more information regarding this news release, please call 928-1920)