About Steve
Steven F. McLaughlin
As Rensselaer County Executive, Steve McLaughlin has taken action to protect taxpayers, improve county services, support historic job creation and provide a comprehensive and compassionate response to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The county has seen three consecutive property tax reductions from three unanimously adopted budgets, an upgrade of the county bond rating to the highest level ever, a series of positive independent audits and significant savings for personnel and purchasing.
McLaughlin has earned a reputation as a hard-working advocate for constituents, overseeing the establishment of the only locally-operated mass COVID-19 testing facility and distribution of a record number of home-delivered meals to seniors. He said he is particularly proud of the county’s response to the Cuomo administration’s disastrous directive in March, 2020 forcing COVID-19 positive patients into nursing homes.
Drawing the line at the county’s Van Rensselaer Manor nursing home, McLaughlin reacted to the state order by simply stating: “Not here, not now, not ever”.
The stand won McLaughlin praise from residents across the state. As the only County Executive to oppose the state directive, McLaughlin stood alone against a campaign of intimidation by the Governor’s team.
“We are here to protect our residents, particularly our seniors. The Cuomo order was the worst I have seen issued during my time in public service, and opposing the order was the right and only choice for us,” said McLaughlin.
The county has set the bar high for performance, earning major investment and job creation projects like the Amazon center in Schodack and Regeneron in East Greenbush, and setting a record for paving 50 miles of county roads in 2020. With over 105 miles of roads paved in three years, the county has used innovation like the ER Anywhere program to maintain medical service at a reduced cost, new and more efficient energy initiative and fulfillment of McLaughlin’s promise to construct a new emergency services training tower.
“We have achieved great things in Rensselaer County, lowering taxes, encouraging investment and strengthening the services our residents depend on. I know even greater things are ahead for our county, and I look forward to the opportunity to continue to lead Rensselaer County into the future,” said McLaughlin.