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Ulster County Legislature adopts 2026 budget after heated debate over immigrant-targeted food aid, hemp funding and transit hires
Summary
On Dec. 3, 2025 the Ulster County Legislature adopted the 2026 budget as amended after extended debate and recorded votes on amendments that would have targeted food‑pantry funding to immigrant residents, funded industrial hemp initiatives, and added UCAT staff. The measure passed by roll call, 14–8.
Ulster County legislators on Dec. 3 approved the county’s fiscal 2026 budget, ending hours of floor debate over a series of contested amendments that divided the chamber.
The full Legislature adopted Resolution 5‑63 as amended after a long‑roll vote that produced a 14–8 result. Lawmakers debated multiple budget amendments on the floor, including an amendment that would allocate a specified sum to food‑pantry services for immigrant residents, a $35,000 industrial hemp planning fund, and a proposal to add UCAT transit positions.
One floor amendment that drew sharp exchanges would set aside a separate allocation discussed on the floor as $50,000 but corrected in debate to $40,000, to give targeted support to residents…
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