The Dutchess County comptroller’s office has launched an online survey for residents and organizations to report losses of federal jobs or funding.
“Keeping track of the loss of federal funding or jobs — and sometimes, their restoration — has been like playing whack-a-mole,” Dutchess County Comptroller Dan Aymar-Blair told the Herald. “Our new tool aims to simplify this process so policymakers know and understand exactly what their constituency will be facing without certain revenues.”
The survey enables community members to share instances where federal cuts have directly or indirectly impacted their livelihoods. The information collected will be verified and shared with local, state, and federal leaders to support community needs and guide economic planning, according to the comptroller’s office.
The survey follows $35 million in lost federal investment in Dutchess County, according to a press release from the comptroller’s office that cites losses including $2.4 million in earmarks for public safety initiatives, such as the real-time crime center and radio system upgrades, as well as funding for fire station renovations and wastewater treatment improvements.
“Tracking how much federal investment in Dutchess County is being lost gives us perspective for future economic development, future sales tax revenue, and more,” said Aymar-Blair.
For more information, or to access the survey, visit the comptroller’s website.