Kingston
Local news and civic information for Kingston, New York
Latest News
Governor Hochul's FY 2027 Budget Focuses on Universal Child Care and Affordability
On August 24, 2026, Governor Kathy Hochul marked her fifth anniversary as the 57th Governor of New York. Her administration highlights include making life more affordable for families through initiatives such as inflation refund checks up to $400 sent to 8.2 million households in fall 2025. The FY 2027 Executive Budget aims to fund universal child care and make historic investments without increasing taxes on New Yorkers. Additionally, Governor Hochul enacted a statewide ban on smartphone use during school hours from September 2025 onwards.
Budget Car Rental Offers Discounts and Deals
Budget Car Rental provides customers with the opportunity to secure reliable car rentals at low rates. The company offers a variety of vehicle types including sedans, SUVs, trucks, and electric vehicles (EVs). To access their best rates, users are encouraged to sign into their Budget Account or link their Amazon account for additional benefits. However, logging in is not required to complete a reservation. Users can also create an account quickly by joining the membership program which offers various perks such as bonus rental days and free upgrades when available.
Kingston NY: A Renaissance City with Pros and Cons
Kingston, New York, a city rich in American history along the Hudson River, has seen significant transformation from an industrial decline to a vibrant renaissance. Attracting artists, entrepreneurs, and families seeking affordable living alternatives to expensive Northeastern cities like New York, Kingston offers unique districts each with its own charm. The city boasts benefits such as affordability compared to nearby areas, easy access to natural beauty and urban amenities, a thriving arts scene, growing food options, and a strong sense of community.
Judge Approves New York's Ban on ICE Agreements While Blocking Mask Ban
A federal judge in the Northern District of New York has ruled that New York State’s ban on formal agreements between local governments and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), known as 287(g) agreements, is legal. The decision supports Governor Kathy Hochul's measures to limit ICE cooperation within the state while blocking a provision in the law that prohibits ICE agents from wearing masks. Additionally, the budget includes provisions aimed at addressing high utility costs by enacting new reporting requirements for utilities seeking rate hikes and providing eligible households with rebate checks ranging from $150 to $200.
Lowest Number of Candidates in Decade File for Kingston City Council Election
The number of candidates filing to run for the Kingston city council is at its lowest point in a decade. This development highlights reduced political engagement or fewer individuals interested in running for local office, potentially impacting voter choice and representation within the community.
Nominations Close for Lower-than-Expected Number of Candidates in Kingston City Council Election
The nomination period has concluded with a lower number of candidates filing to run for the upcoming Kingston city council election compared to previous years. Thirty-six candidates have stepped forward, down from forty-four and forty-three in the last two elections. Two incumbents, Don Amos in Portsmouth District and Vincent Cinanni in Williamsville District, are running unopposed this year, a higher number of acclaimed candidates than seen in recent elections where only one or none were acclaimed. The election is scheduled for October 26.
Governor Hochul's Budget Aims for Universal Child Care and Economic Growth
Governor Kathy Hochul announced the FY 2027 Executive Budget which aims to fund universal child care without increasing taxes. The budget also includes significant investments in various sectors such as education, where a statewide smartphone restriction was enacted from September 2025 for K-12 schools. Additionally, inflation refund checks up to $400 were sent out to over eight million households across New York State in fall 2025. Governor Hochul's initiatives focus on making life more affordable and expanding opportunities for all residents.
Kingston Launches Curbside Food Waste Collection Program
The City of Kingston has completed a feasibility study for diverting food waste and is rolling out a city-wide program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Kingston Organics Diversion Plan aims to improve air and water quality by decreasing long-haul waste transportation. Phase 2 of the initiative includes curbside collection, with residents receiving free buckets for weekly food scrap disposal starting mid-September. Public meetings were held on August 18th at City Hall where residents could pick up their collection buckets. Additional pickup opportunities are available at Andy Murphy Neighborhood Center from August 19th to September 4th.
Judge Approves NY State's Ban on ICE Agreements While Blocking Mask Ban
A federal judge in the Northern District of New York has ruled that New York’s ban on formal agreements between local governments and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is valid, supporting the state’s argument that such agreements are detrimental to public welfare and resource allocation. However, the judge blocked a provision in the law prohibiting ICE agents from wearing masks. Additionally, Governor Kathy Hochul signed several measures aimed at limiting cooperation with ICE, including prohibitions on local jails holding individuals for ICE and banning formal 287(g) agreements.
Governor Hochul Highlights FutureWorks Commission and AI Policies
Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized the importance of shaping New York's artificial intelligence (AI) workforce through listening sessions conducted by the FutureWorks Commission. These sessions aim to protect workers, expand opportunities in evolving industries, and ensure that AI policies are beneficial for all New Yorkers. Additionally, Governor Hochul’s 2026 agenda includes initiatives focused on affordability, safety, and expanding opportunities across the state. The governor's budget supports universal child care and makes significant investments without increasing taxes.
Austin City Council Approves $6.6 Billion Budget for FY2026-2027
The Austin City Council has adopted a budget of $6.6 billion for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, incorporating the proposed budget by City Manager T.C. Broadnax and adding several investments to address social service funding, housing, homelessness, and public safety. Key highlights include $7.8 million toward local housing vouchers, a $1.2 million increase for parkland maintenance, and a $5.8 million reduction in software and IT support costs due to recent efficiency measures. The budget also includes $6 million more for permanent supportive housing services and $1.4 million for the creation of the Office of Joint Emergency Communications.
City Manager Presents Balanced FY2027 Budget to Mayor and City Council
On August 13, 2026, San Antonio's City Manager Erik Walsh presented the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 Proposed Budget to the Mayor and City Council. The budget addresses a projected General Fund shortfall of nearly $158 million through FY 2028 due to rising costs, lower property values, and state revenue limits. Despite these challenges, the proposal aims to protect essential services such as public safety, streets and sidewalks, homeless services, affordable housing, senior care, parks, and libraries. The budget includes $89.6 million in spending cuts over FY 2027 and FY 2028 while recommending a property tax increase from 54.159 cents to 56.288 cents per $100 of taxable value. This would result in an estimated monthly increase of $2.95 for the average homeowner, though the city plans to provide $156.4 million in property-tax relief through homestead exemptions and tax freezes for seniors and disabled homeowners.
Governor Hochul Announces Record Public Safety Investments in New York State
Governor Kathy Hochul highlighted significant investments of nearly $4 billion aimed at enhancing public safety across New York State. These funds have contributed to notable reductions in crime and gun violence, reflecting the state's commitment to safer communities. Additionally, Governor Hochul’s initiatives include measures such as a statewide ban on smartphone use during school hours from September 2025, which aims to eliminate distractions for K-12 students.
Judge Approves New York's Ban on ICE Agreements
A federal judge in the Northern District of New York has ruled that New York State’s ban on formal agreements between local governments and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), known as 287(g) agreements, is legal. The ruling supports Governor Kathy Hochul's measures to limit ICE cooperation within the state, which were signed into law earlier this year as part of the state budget. Additionally, the judge blocked a provision in the law that prohibited ICE agents from wearing masks, citing concerns about public safety for ICE officers. This decision comes amidst ongoing debates over immigration policies and their impact on local communities.
VEC Investigates Vote Tampering in Kingston City Council By-Election
The Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) has referred matters concerning postal voting irregularities to the Local Government Inspectorate after identifying issues during a routine election integrity check for the recent Kingston Melaleuca Ward by-election. The VEC declared Nikki Kaur as the winner of the by-election, and she was immediately sworn in as a councillor pending further advice from VCAT and the VEC. Mayor Georgina Oxley stated that the council is committed to upholding local democracy and will work closely with the VEC to ensure all correct procedures are followed.
Austin City Council Approves $6.6 Billion Budget for FY2026-2027
The Austin City Council has approved a budget of $6.6 billion for Fiscal Year 2026-2027, incorporating the proposed budget by City Manager T.C. Broadnax with additional investments to address social service funding, housing, homelessness, and public safety. Key highlights include $7.8 million allocated towards local housing vouchers, a $1.2 million increase for park maintenance and pool operations, and a reduction of $5.8 million in software and IT support due to cost-saving measures. The budget also includes $6 million for permanent supportive housing services and $1.4 million to establish the Office of Joint Emergency Communications.
Kingston Motel Offers Long-Term Housing Solutions for Homeless Individuals
The article from WAMC discusses the Kingston Motel's role in providing long-term housing solutions for homeless individuals. Located on Albany Avenue, the motel has been serving as transitional housing for several years, offering a stable environment to those who might otherwise be without shelter. The piece highlights the challenges faced by local authorities and non-profit organizations in addressing homelessness through such innovative approaches. It underscores the importance of temporary accommodations like the Kingston Motel in helping individuals regain stability and access services necessary for permanent housing solutions.
Budget Car Rental Offers Discounts and Deals for Customers
Budget Car Rental provides customers with the opportunity to secure reliable vehicles at competitive rates. Visitors are encouraged to sign into their Budget account to unlock exclusive deals and benefits. The site offers various vehicle types including sedans, SUVs, trucks, and electric vehicles (EVs). To access these discounts, users must create an account or log in through Amazon credentials followed by a direct login to the Budget system. Users can also contact customer service for assistance if they encounter issues with their session or reach maximum code sends.
Governor Hochul's Budget Aims for Universal Child Care and Affordable Investments
In her FY 2027 Executive Budget, Governor Kathy Hochul aims to fund universal child care without increasing taxes on New Yorkers. The budget also includes significant investments in healthcare infrastructure and school safety measures such as smartphone restrictions during school hours starting September 2025. Additionally, the governor's initiatives focus on making life more affordable for residents through inflation refund checks sent to over eight million households across the state.
Dallas City Manager Proposes $5.66B Budget for FY2026-27 and FY2027-28
Dallas City Manager Kimberly Bizor Tolbert released the proposed balanced biennial budget totaling $5.66 billion for fiscal years 2026-27 and 2027-28, focusing on 'Investing for the Future.' The General Fund is projected to be $2.04 billion, a 4.1% increase from last year, with significant investments in public safety services like the Dallas Police Department and Fire-Rescue. This budget continues the city's trend of reducing property tax rates by another 0.1¢ per $100 valuation, bringing the total reduction since FY2015-16 to 9.92 cents. Additionally, the city offers a 20% homestead exemption and a $175,000 exemption for seniors or disabled residents, ensuring substantial property tax relief.
Upcoming Meetings
Kingston Common Council Regular Meeting
📅 2026-04-12 · 🕐 7:30 PM
📍 Kingston City Hall, 420 Broadway
Kingston Planning Board
📅 2026-04-26 · 🕐 6:00 PM
📍 Kingston City Hall, Conference Room B