Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs has vetoed a Common Council resolution that aimed to advance a commuter tax, pointing to explicit opposition from state leadership as the city confronts a projected $35 million budget gap for 2027.
The veto, issued pursuant to Section 302 of the Charter of the City of Albany, targeted Resolution No. 113.102.26R of 2026. In her message to council members, Applyrs explained that moving forward with the plan would require legislative action from Albany’s state delegation and Kathy Hochul. Because state leaders have already made it clear they will not support the policy, Applyrs stated she could not in good conscience sign a measure asking her office to study potential revenues, affected workers, administrative costs, and economic impacts for an initiative that will not be approved by the State of New York.
Applyrs Introduces a 2027 Budget Proposal to Close a Deficit
Instead of pursuing a policy blocked at the state level, the mayor urged local leaders to concentrate on viable proposals capable of addressing Albany’s pressing fiscal challenges. The city faces a formidable $35 million budget gap in 2027, a deficit that demands immediate action to maintain public safety, protect essential services, and promote long-term economic vitality.
To bridge that gap, Applyrs introduced a comprehensive 2027 budget proposal designed to distribute financial responsibility across those who live, work, visit, and benefit from the Capital City. Her plan relies on a mix of revenue streams and spending reductions rather than a single tax.
- A 15% property tax levy increase
- A modest city-only sales tax
- New revenue generated from hotels and short-term rentals
- An embellishment fee allowing tax-exempt institutions to contribute toward municipal services
Shared Intentions, Divergent Strategies
While rejecting the resolution, Applyrs emphasized that the veto was not an outright dismissal of the council’s underlying goal. She acknowledged that Albany spends millions of dollars annually maintaining roads, providing public safety, and delivering other essential services utilized daily by non-resident visitors and commuters, all while local residents and property owners shoulder heavy tax pressures driven by a high percentage of tax-exempt property.
Common Council President Kelly Kimbrough noted earlier in the week that the tax was essentially dead without state cooperation. “It takes our state representatives to put this forward at the state level,” Kimbrough told NewsChannel 13. “If we have no mechanism to get to that point, it’s kind of a moot point. Without state authority, we can’t do anything on our own.”
Kimbrough added that the council must now pivot to difficult decisions. “We’ve got to try to plug some holes and make some really tough decision because there has to be some cuts,” he said.
Applyrs echoed the sentiment that closing the deficit requires a combination of recurring resources and spending reductions. Returning the resolution without her approval, the mayor signaled her ongoing commitment to working alongside the council, state delegation, and regional partners to secure a sustainable financial future for Albany.
