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AFTER PRESIDENT TRUMP CUT FUNDING FOR COMMUNITY PROJECTS, CONGRESSMAN PAT RYAN CONTINUES RELENTLESS PUSH, SECURES MORE THAN $8 MILLION FOR HUDSON VALLEY LAW ENFORCEMENT AND FIRST RESPONDERS

August 28, 2025

After President Trump Cut Funding for Community Projects, Congressman Pat Ryan Continues Relentless Push, Secures More Than $8 Million for Hudson Valley Law Enforcement and First Responders 

Today, Congressman Pat Ryan announced that he has secured more than $15 million for Hudson Valley community projects, including $8.3 million for law enforcement and first responder agencies across Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties

The funding has been approved, but distribution will rely on Speaker Johnson’s ability to pass a full year budget; the continuing resolution passed in March 2025 cut nearly $17 million Ryan had secured for Hudson Valley community projects

WASHINGTON, DC  –  Today, Congressman Pat Ryan announced that he has secured more than $15 million for Hudson Valley community projects, including more than $8.3 million for law enforcement and first responder agencies across Dutchess, Orange, and Ulster Counties. The funding was approved by the House Appropriations Committee, but will require Speaker Johnson to pass a full year budget to be allocated across the Hudson Valley. Last year, despite Ryan securing millions in funding for community projects across the Hudson Valley, President Trump and Speaker Johnson cut every last dollar from our police officers, first responders, and more. 

“The federal government works best when it works directly on behalf of the communities that it serves,” said Congressman Pat Ryan. “These community funded projects are a great opportunity to deliver on the Hudson Valley’s top priorities. This past year, our community got screwed over when the Republican budget cut all $17 million from remarkably deserving initiatives, including more than $6 million from our law enforcement and first responders. But alongside our community leaders I kept pushing, and I’m incredibly proud of the projects we secured funding for this year, especially the $8.3 million for law enforcement and first responders. I’ll keep doing everything in my power to get these projects over the finish line.”

“I am proud to have worked with Congressman Ryan to secure this critical funding for the Ulster County Sheriff’s Office. It’s a crucial step for bolstering public safety in the Hudson Valley,” said Ulster County Sheriff Juan Figueroa. “But we’ve been here before, and politicians in Washington cut our funding. Public safety should concern us all, bipartisan support is requested and required. I will continue to support Congressman Ryan and all our local law enforcement in our quest for safer communities.”

“The Dutchess County Sheriff’s office will use this critical funding to establish a two-way radio system, connecting and improving law enforcement response times countywide and saving lives,” said Dutchess County Sheriff Kirk Imperati. “On behalf of the men and women at the Sheriff’s Office I would like to thank Congressman Ryan for his dedication to bolstering public safety in Dutchess County. I look forward to continuing to work together as we make Dutchess County one of the safest places to live in all of New York State.”

“We are incredibly grateful to Congressman Pat Ryan for championing this vital investment in Ulster County’s emergency response infrastructure,” said Ulster County Executive Jen Metzger. “Our dispatchers and emergency management teams are the backbone of public safety, and this funding will help ensure they have the modern tools and resilient facility they need to respond quickly and effectively when our residents need them most. I urge Congress to include the full $1.35 million toward the project in the final FY26 spending bill to help bolster emergency preparedness and response across the county.”

“We are incredibly optimistic about the potential for this federal funding to strengthen our new Analysis and Real-Time Crime Intelligence Center.  This support will further empower Dutchess County with advanced analytics, faster investigative turnaround, and enhanced real-time response to protect our citizens,” said Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi.  “This investment would not only enhance public safety through cutting-edge technology, but would also strengthen collaboration, and deliver justice more effectively, ultimately making our community safer for all.” 

“Orange County’s first responders are true heroes. From our 911 dispatchers to our police, fire, EMS, and Emergency Management personnel, they confront adversity and danger each day, yet remain steadfast in their commitment to protect our families and communities,” said Commissioner Peter Cirigliano of the Orange County Department of Emergency Services. “This funding, secured in partnership with Congressman Ryan and his team, is a critical investment in their ability to protect our residents and respond without delay during emergencies. We are deeply grateful for this support and look forward to putting it to work across our community.”

“This essential funding will ensure that radio communication system interoperability is consistent for all Dutchess County law enforcement agencies,” said Dutchess County Department of Emergency Response Commissioner William H. Beale. “Dutchess County greatly appreciates Congressman Ryan’s partnership in supporting this critical component to public safety.”

“This investment in Ulster County’s emergency response infrastructure is a critical step towards improving connectivity between our first responders and bolstering public safety across our communities,” said Everett Erichsen, Ulster County Department of Emergency Services Director. “This is a win for Ulster County families and first responders, and I’m grateful to Congressman Ryan for his steadfast advocacy for our community. I look forward to our continued partnership in improving preparedness county-wide.” 

“The City of Port Jervis is grateful for Congressman Ryan's unwavering support for our firefighters and fire department; securing $825,000.00,” said Port Jervis Mayor Dominic Cicalese. “This investment will have a lasting impact, helping the fire department modernize its aging fire apparatus fleet and continuing to deliver the service our tax payers and visitors expect.”

In March, when President Trump and House Republicans under Speaker Johnson’s leadership cut more than $6 million in funding from Hudson Valley law enforcement agencies, Congressman Ryan immediately rallied with local law enforcement in opposition. He is now imploring President Trump and Speaker Johnson to properly allocate the $8.3 million Ryan secured for Hudson Valley law enforcement and first responders this year. 

The projects Congressman Ryan secured funding for include: 

  • $1,034,487 for upgrades to the Orange County Emergency Operations Center, including critical upgrades to the existing EOC/911 display wall and a larger screen to accommodate more video sources; upgrades to the technology and displays across EOC. 
  • $1,034,487 to establish a new Ulster County Emergency Operations Center. The EOC is part of a larger Government Operations Center and includes 35 individual stations, conference rooms, and a press room.
  • $1,000,000 for upgrades to the Arlington Fire District Fire Station 4, including renovations to the existing building structure include fire suppression systems, fire alarm systems, ADA compliance, on-duty firefighter quarters, decontamination showers, and facility upgrades.
  • $785,000 for Orange County Jail Body Cameras
  • $1,031,000 for Dutchess County Analysis & Real Time Crime, to elevate the county's policing efficiency and responsiveness through the procurement of cutting-edge intelligence gathering, analysis, and sharing equipment, in addition to communications equipment and technology-specific training. 
  • $850,000 for renovations to Hooker Ave Fire Station, Poughkeepsie, including building envelope repairs and structural repairs to the main floor of the station and making improvements to the 100 year old slate roof and for the replacement of century-old windows to promote energy efficiency.
  • $1,031,000 for Dutchess County Consolidated Two-Way Radio System 
  • $794,000 for Ulster County Sheriff Policing Equipment and Technology Upgrades to deter violent crimes, stop the flow of fentanyl and protect the community.
  • $825,000 for Port Jervis Fire Department Fire Pumper Purchase, to replace an aging fire pumper apparatus (truck). The PJFD’s current fire pumper is 22 years old and needs to be replaced to enable the department to meet increasing call volumes.

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