Skoufis, Kay Secure $4M for Town of Wallkill Budget

WALLKILL – Senator James Skoufis (D-Orange County) and Assemblymember Paula Elaine Kay (D-Rock Hill) joined Town of Wallkill officials to announce they secured $4 million in this year’s final state budget to avert significant service cuts, job losses, and property tax hikes.

In January 2026, the town identified significant financial shortfalls due to longstanding irregularities in the municipality’s fiscal structure. Absent emergency state funding, Town of Wallkill residents faced burdensome property tax hikes or town services reduced to a bare minimum, including major layoffs to the police department and department of public works.

With an infusion of $4 million – $2 million secured by Senator Skoufis and $2 million by Assemblymember Kay during state budget negotiations – the Town of Wallkill will be able to regain its financial footing while averting layoffs of approximately 97 employees. Previously projected layoffs included a 70% reduction in force at the police department, a 70% reduction at the department of public works, and a 90% reduction at the parks department.

“The scale of layoffs and service cuts facing the Town of Wallkill would have been catastrophic,” said Senator Skoufis. “People expect the basics out of their government – paved roads, clean water, safe communities – and this state funding allows the town to continue to do just that. I’m grateful to have partners in Assemblymember Kay, Senate Majority Leader Stewart-Cousins, and town officials in order to bring our hard-earned tax dollars back home and support our community.”

“I take my role in providing our municipalities with the tools they need seriously, and that’s exactly what this investment represents. Supervisor DenDanto asked for our help, and Senator Skoufis and I got right to work finding funds so the town could continue providing essential services and avoid layoffs,” said Assemblymember Kay. “This is yet another example of how collaboration delivers results, and I’m proud to have worked alongside Senator Skoufis, and with Assembly and Senate leadership on behalf of our constituents.”

“Without the forward-thinking vision of the State Senate and Assembly, the Town of Wallkill would have been forced to drastically pull back on staffing across the board,” said Supervisor DenDanto. “It’s been argued that such safety nets are not the role of the State. This flies in the face of what government is set upon to do — standing in place to be the mantle of action for those who cannot act on their own behalf. If the rescuing of a community is not cause for such an intervention, then nothing is. We are humbled by this action and stand prepared to press on using this momentum to repair the fiscal mismanagement of the past.”