Mayor Applyrs Vetoes Albany Commuter Tax Resolution

Mayor Dorcey Applyrs rejects the proposed 0.3% tax on non-resident paychecks meant to help address the city budget deficit.

Updated on Oct. 30, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration depicting a solid stone column and archway, representing the structural nature of municipal governance and city infrastructure. — Albany Mayor Dorcey Applyrs vetoed a resolution that would have imposed a 0.3% tax on non-resident workers to address a city budget deficit. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Mayor Dorcey Applyrs has officially vetoed Resolution No. 113.102.26R, a measure passed by the Albany Common Council that sought to impose a 0.3% tax on non-resident workers. The tax was intended to generate revenue to help close the city's $35 million budget deficit.

Why it matters

The veto marks a significant clash over how to manage the city's financial shortfall, as the mayor aims to shift away from taxing commuters to fund city services. Mayor Applyrs has argued that while visitors and commuters utilize local infrastructure, the burden of maintenance should not fall solely on Albany residents and property owners.

The proposed commuter tax would have resulted in a $3 to $5 deduction per paycheck for non-residents. This follows the October 1 budget proposal that already includes a 15% property tax levy increase, a $9.1 million reduction in expenditures, and a potential 0.5% sales tax.

The players

Dorcey Applyrs

Dorcey Applyrs is the Mayor of Albany who is currently navigating a $35 million city budget deficit.

Albany Common Council

The Albany Common Council is the legislative body responsible for passing city resolutions and overseeing local policy.

The details

The resolution required state legislature approval following its passage by the Common Council on October 19. By returning the resolution without her signature, the mayor has effectively blocked the proposed levy on non-resident income.

October 1, 2026: The mayor proposed the 2027 city budget.
October 19, 2026: The Albany Common Council passed the commuter tax resolution.
October 30, 2026: Mayor Applyrs announced the veto of the resolution.

Political Context

The use of Resolution No. 113.102.26R to target non-resident income is often met with pushback from suburban interests and regional commuters who argue that such levies discourage regional economic activity. Opponents of the veto suggest the mayor is missing an opportunity to distribute the financial burden of city services more broadly.

The veto means non-resident workers will not see the $3 to $5 paycheck deductions originally proposed. Residents, however, still face the prospect of a 15% property tax levy increase and a potential 0.5% sales tax currently outlined in the 2027 budget plan.

The takeaway

Taxing non-residents is a common, though politically fraught, tool for cities attempting to bridge large structural deficits. Residents should keep an eye on upcoming council sessions to see if alternative revenue measures are introduced to replace the rejected commuter tax.