Mid-Hudson News reports that new Dutchess County Executive Bill O’Neil's first proposed budget includes plans to raise the county’s 3.75 percent sales tax to 4 percent in June. The Republican is also proposing a second tax increase, raising the county’s hotel tax from four percent to five percent. O’Neil’s proposed budget also calls for a “eight new positions, including shelter director, case managers and program specialists” to help with the homelessness crisis. He also wants the “creation of new affordable housing through the county’s Housing Trust Fund,” but the story does not specify how the homes would be built. O'Neil took over the job from Marc Molinaro when his term in Congress began in January. Read more about this story at Mid-Hudson News.