Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference Agenda 

(Deputy Minority Leader Paul J. Burgdorf at Law Committee Meeting

Photo: Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference)

​​​

ALBANY, NY – The Albany County Republican & Conservative Conference this week voted to advance a measure supporting our courageous first responders in the Capital District. The bill would provide a 10% County property tax exemption for eligible active volunteer firefighters and EMS workers, and help improve efforts to recruit and retain these brave men and women in uniform.

“Supporting our first responders is an issue that rises above politics. Our brave volunteer firefighters and EMS workers put themselves in harm’s way every day. These incentives will assist in recruitment and retention of our volunteers, saving our communities millions of dollars. Recruitment and retention of these uniformed men and women remains a top priority for myself and the Republican and Conservative Conference,” said Deputy Minority Leader Paul J. Burgdorf, District 23.

“I am proud to help advance this resolution supporting our brave men and women in uniform. As a retired member of the Colonie Police Department, I know the value of having a strong volunteer fire and first responder force. While our work is far from over, I am encouraged by our progress – and I will not stop fighting for full adoption of this legislation by the County. Thank you to all of my colleagues for their bipartisan support of this critical proposal,” said County Legislator Patrice Lockart, District 26.

Last month, the Albany County Republican and Conservative Conference announced its support for the legislation, which provides a 10% County property tax exemption for eligible active volunteer fire and EMS personnel. The Conference will continue to voice its support for this important initiative in hearings and before the full legislature. This measure is a bipartisan one and has the full support of County Executive Daniel McCoy and other members of the Albany County Legislature. 

“I am happy to support this commonsense resolution proposed by our County Executive Dan McCoy, and I thank my colleagues from both sides of the aisle for advancing this bipartisan measure,” said Deputy Minority Leader Burgdorf.

A recent study released by the Firefighters Association of the State of New York (FASNY) showed that volunteer firefighters save state taxpayers an estimated $3.8 billion annually. There are currently more than 81,000 volunteer firefighters in New York. In recent years, that number has dwindled, but recruitment and retainment efforts like today’s property tax proposal are ramping up across the state.

A video of Deputy Minority Leader Burgdorf’s remarks at the Law Committee is available here.