It’s about time that homeowners in upstate New York hold our Albany elected leaders fully accountable for issuing foolish and economically unsound mandates that, if not reversed, could easily result in 100 percent-plus increases in their school taxes. 

Starting in 2027, our local school districts must purchase only electric-powered school buses costing $300,000 to $400,000 each. In our cold climates, battery life shortens and to keep the children from freezing, additional heaters must be added. On top of these outrageous expenses, schools will have to spend millions of dollars more for charging stations and infrastructure upgrades. These extra costs will be passed on to homeowners in vastly higher school taxes. 

It’s now mandated that as of January 1, 2026, town building departments can no longer give homeowners permission to install wood-burning stoves in their homes. People who want to heat their homes with wood to save money better get that permit before December 31,2025.

Too much reliance on our fragile electric grid without alternatives is foolish and dangerous to our rural communities. Demand that our town council join up with other councils to fight these stupid orders coming down from Albany. 

In November 2026, many state elected officials will run for their offices again. These mandates need to be reversed or “We will remember in November what you do to us today!”

John Maniec
Independent candidate for Bethel Town Council
Bethel, NY