ALBANY – Republicans in the Albany County Legislature plan to introduce two bills in response to the recent arrivals of migrants from New York City to area motels.
The legislation would not try to ban migrants from being resettled in the county while they await the outcome of their asylum claims. Deputy Minority Leader Paul Burgdorf, who represents the part of Colonie that is hosting several dozen migrants, said the bills are meant to help local leaders plan for the future.
Burgdorf, one of nine Republicans in the 39-member legislature, said he had reached out to County Executive Dan McCoy’s office as well as Democratic leaders in the legislature in an attempt to gain support for the bills.
The county and the town of Colonie were caught off guard in late May when more than 20 asylum-seekers from New York City arrived at the SureStay Plus by Best Western Hotel on Wolf Road with little notice. More migrants from New York City soon followed, arriving at two motels in Albany.
The first proposal would enact a law requiring any hotel or motel in the county to notify all elected local and school officials of their intent to sign a contract to house migrants or homeless people.
The second proposal is a resolution that would ask the county comptroller’s office, to the extent possible, to track any increased social service costs to the county associated with the arrival of migrants and report back to the legislature.
A spokeswoman for McCoy’s office said the county’s Department of Law is reviewing the proposed legislation. McCoy previously issued an executive order that attempted to ban any motel from housing migrants without first alerting and coordinating with the county.
“The intent of our executive order was to improve communication with New York City,” spokeswoman Mary Rozak said. “That has occurred. We are already coordinating with localities.”
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