The Mid-Hudson News Network reports that Dutchess Public Transit workers said no April 22 to the latest contract offer from the county and First Transit, the company that operates public transportation for the county. “We’re close, but no cigar,” said Teamsters Local 445 representative Jerry Ebert. The union is requesting a $1.50-an-hour raise for its bus drivers, mechanics, call-takers, and utility workers, but Ebert said, so far, the county has only that raise to the mechanics. Deputy County Executive William O’Neil said the county, “must remain fiscally responsible to all our residents and taxpayers and there simply isn’t more money to give.” Ebert says the county has a $60 million budget surplus, "so the 50 cents extra that we are talking about would only cost about $75,000 a year,” Ebert said. “We don’t think that would break the bank.” Read the full story in the Mid-Hudson News Network.