MidHudsonNews [dot] com is reporting the Democrat members of the Dutchess County Legislature are protesting the decision made by Chairman Gregg Pulver, to cancel the April full board and committee meetings. The Democrats hold eight of the legislature's 25 seats. Pulver called off the April assemblies citing the call for safe social-distancing and the need to evaluate the fiscal condition of the county before making additional expenditures related to COVID-19. The Democratic caucus released a statement April 16, arguing the legislature is required to meet. “There seems to be an inaccurate and disturbing assumption that the legislature is disposable in challenging times,” said Legislator Giancarlo Llaverias. The Democrats were looking to discuss the possibility of a rent and mortgage moratorium, the expansion of emergency shelter for residents escaping home violence, and the immediate exploration of using local county funds as a stopgap for small businesses and more. Formal resolutions proposed by Democrats for the April meeting included expansion of the county’s COVID-19 hotline hours, development of public hand-washing stations, as well as expanded support for the non-profit groups providing emergency groceries to residents in need. Pulver was unapologetic. In response he said, “Every day we are losing 1,000 New Yorkers...I won’t engage in a back-and-forth with my colleagues through the media nor engage in politics.” He said the Legislature will hold remote meetings on May 7 and May 11. "I encourage all my colleagues to join me in helping those in our community who are in need. I know we will get through this and the only way to do it is together,” he said. Read the full story at MidHudsonNews [dot] com.