The Peru Gazette

Assembly member Cashman co-sponsored the legislation and wholeheartedly supports the volunteers.

By John T. Ryan

October 1, 2026 – Members of the Clinton County Fire/EMS Community gathered at the Beekmantown Fire Station Thursday to urge Governor Hochul to sign bipartisan legislation passed by both the NYS Assembly and Senate this year, a measure aimed at helping fire departments attract and retain fire and EMS volunteers. Similar gatherings took place at departments across the state.

Chuck Kostyk, a Cadyville firefighter and Director of the New York State Association of Fire Chiefs, said the legislation raises the annual state income tax credit for active volunteer fire and ambulance workers from $200 to $800, unchanged for 20 years. It also allows the same member to benefit from any locally authorized real property tax exemptions. Currently, volunteers must choose either the credit or the exemption. In Clinton County, the Towns of Beekmantown and Plattsburgh, and the Beekmantown School District offer a 10% real property tax exemption. (A tax credit is deducted from income tax due. An exemption is deducted from a property’s assessed value.)

Kostyk said New York has 75,000 to 80,000 volunteers in 1,800 departments, down 20,000 from 20 years ago. They provide about 94% of the state’s fire coverage, saving taxpayers an estimated $4 billion annually. He emphasized that this legislation won’t solve all the problems in attracting and retaining volunteers, but it will help.

Assembly member Michael Cashman, who co-sponsored the legislation, was present to support the volunteers. Cashman said, “These men and women answer countless calls, putting their bodies and their minds through tremendous stress to protect others…They put their own gas in their tanks, leave their families behind and answer the call from neighbors when they need it the most. I’m proud to stand here shoulder to shoulder and amplify this message.”

Responding to a question, Assembly Member Cashman said he can’t say why Governor Hochul hasn’t signed the legislation, but he called on her to do so. He also said that will take time to set up the administrative mechanism for legislation to be operational on January 1, 2027.

Cashman said he invited State Senator Dan Stec and Assembly Member Matt Simpson to today’s gathering. They were unable to attend, but they want it known that they also fully support this legislation.

If you would like to help, write to Governor Hochul and ask her to sign bill S.6233-A/A.6790-A today.