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⚫ | {{Infobox officeholder | ||
{{Short description|American politician}} | |||
⚫ | {{Infobox |
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| name = Kevin Byrne | | name = Kevin Byrne | ||
| image = |
| image = Kevin Byrne on debate in the Assembly chamber.jpg | ||
⚫ | | |
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| term_start = | |||
| term_end = | |||
| predecessor = | |||
| successor = | |||
| imagesize = | | imagesize = | ||
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|12|20}} | | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|12|20}} | ||
| birth_place = ] | | birth_place = ], U.S. | ||
| death_date = | | death_date = | ||
| death_place = | | death_place = | ||
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| children = Braeden | | children = Braeden | ||
| residence = ] | | residence = ] | ||
| alma_mater = ] (B.A.) |
| alma_mater = {{unbulleted list|] (B.A.)|] (M.P.A.)}} | ||
| website = {{ |
| website = {{URL|https://putnamcountyny.com/}}<br/ >{{URL| http://www.byrne4ny.com/|Campaign website}} | ||
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| state_assembly2 = New York | ||
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| district2 = ] | ||
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| predecessor2 = ] | ||
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| successor2 = ] | ||
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| termstart2 = January 3, 2017 | ||
| term_end2 = December 31, 2022 | |||
| office1 = ] of ] | |||
| term_start1 = January 1, 2023 | |||
| predecessor1 = Maryellen Odell | |||
⚫ | | succeeding1 = | ||
| caption = | | caption = | ||
| awards = 2021 Irish Echo 40 Under 40, 2020 NFIB Guardian of Small Business, 2020 GOPAC Emerging Leader, 2019 Westchester-Putnam Defender of Life Award, 2017 New York State GOP Rising Star, 2017 Highest Rated State Legislator by New York State Conservative Party, 2017 New York State Young Republicans' Wheeler Milmoe Assembly Member of the Year, 2003 Eagle Scout | |||
| signature = Kevin Byrne Signature.png | |||
}} | }} | ||
'''Kevin Byrne''' is |
'''Kevin Byrne''' is the 6th County Executive of Putnam County, NY and is a former state legislator of the ]. He is a registered ]. | ||
As Putnam County Executive, Byrne is both the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Budget Officer of Putnam County government. He serves as a national executive board member of the American City County Exchange, board member of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, board member of the East of Hudson Watershed Corporation, and is a member of the County Executives of America, New York State Association of Counties, and New York State County Executives Association.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rep. Kevin Byrne |url=https://www.alec.org/person/kevin-byrne/ |access-date=2020-01-17 |website=www.alec.org |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, Byrne was also named to ''Run Gen Z''<nowiki/>'s Rising Stars Club where he serves as a mentor for younger Generation Z officials and candidates, supporting a new generation of leaders across America.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Facebook |url=https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=411986498011428&set=a.177016338175113 |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=www.facebook.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Run GenZ {{!}} Equipping the Next Generation of Conservative Leaders |url=https://www.rungenz.com/ |access-date=2024-03-03 |website=www.rungenz.com |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
The 94th Assembly District includes portions of ] (where Byrne grew up and resides) and ] counties in the ]. | |||
Byrne |
During his tenure in the Assembly, Byrne served as the ranking member on the Assembly Health Committee, chairperson of the Assembly Minority Conference Program Committee, co-chair of the Assembly Minority Conference Task Force on Critical Infrastructure and Transportation, ranking member of the Assembly Aging Committee, and vice chair of minority steering.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2018 |title=Task Force Aims To Address Massive Infrastructure |url=http://www.the-reporter.net/news/2018-09-26/Opinion/Task_Force_Aims_To_Address_Massive_Infrastructure_.html}}</ref> Byrne also served on the Assembly Ways & Means, Governmental Operations, Insurance, Labor, and Transportation Committees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New York State Assembly Member Directory |url=http://nyassembly.gov/mem/ |access-date=2017-01-05 |website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | ||
] | |||
Byrne also serves as the New York State chair of the ] (ALEC).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.alec.org/person/kevin-byrne/|title=Rep. Kevin Byrne|website=www.alec.org|language=en-US|access-date=2020-01-17}}</ref> | |||
From 2018 to 2022, Byrne served as the New York State chair of the ] (ALEC). | |||
Previously, Byrne also served as co-chair of the Assembly Minority Conference Task Force on Critical Infrastructure and Transportation (2018-2019), as the ranking member of the Assembly’s Aging Committee (2017-2018), and as vice chair of minority steering (2019).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.the-reporter.net/news/2018-09-26/Opinion/Task_Force_Aims_To_Address_Massive_Infrastructure_.html|title=Task Force Aims To Address Massive Infrastructure|date=2018}}</ref> | |||
==Life and career== | ==Life and career== | ||
Byrne was born and raised in the ] and attended ] before enrolling at the ]. As a high school student, he earned the rank of ]. At Scranton, Byrne completed the academic portion of the Army ] program supported by an internship with then Congresswoman ]. However, was ultimately unable to qualify and serve in the Army due to two previous spinal surgeries.<ref>{{cite web | title = Meet Kevin - Kevin Byrne for NY | url = http://www.byrne4ny.com/meet-kevin/ | access-date = 2017-01-03 }}</ref> | Byrne was born and raised in the ] and attended ] before enrolling at the ]. As a high school student, he earned the rank of ]. At Scranton, Byrne completed the academic portion of the Army ] program supported by an internship with then Congresswoman ]. However, was ultimately unable to qualify and serve in the Army due to two previous spinal surgeries.<ref>{{cite web | title = Meet Kevin - Kevin Byrne for NY | url = http://www.byrne4ny.com/meet-kevin/ | access-date = 2017-01-03 }}</ref> | ||
Following his graduation from the University of Scranton in 2007, Byrne returned to the Hudson Valley |
Following his graduation from the University of Scranton in 2007, Byrne returned to the Hudson Valley where he worked for several years in emergency services at Westchester EMS. Simultaneously, he served as a member of the Putnam Valley Planning Board and as a Firefighter/EMT with the Kent Volunteer Fire Department where he served three terms as the department's president. He later served as Deputy District Director to Congresswoman ] and then as a Regional Director for the ] while finishing his ] concentrating in Healthcare Administration at ].<ref>{{cite web | title = Kevin Byrne for NY District 94 | url = http://www.byrne4ny.com/ | access-date = 2017-01-03 }}</ref> Prior to running for public office, he also worked in healthcare administration assisting the Senior Director of Clinical Operations at CareMount Medical, which at the time was the largest private multi-specialty medical group in New York state. | ||
Byrne won his first bid seeking elected office in 2016 when he was elected as the Assemblyman for New |
Byrne won his first bid seeking elected office in 2016 when he was elected as the Assemblyman for New York's 94th Assembly District. | ||
Byrne lives in Mahopac with his wife Briana and their young son Braeden. | |||
== Putnam County == | |||
== Legislative Record & Accomplishments == | |||
Byrne has served as Putnam County Executive since January 1, 2023. As County Executive, Byrne introduced a variety of new initiatives to enhance transparency and accessibility, centralize services, prioritize spending, and implement new guardrails to control government spending and taxation. | |||
⚫ | During his first term, Byrne voted against every tax increase proposed in the Assembly. This is a primary reason why Byrne was recognized in 2017 as one of five state legislators with the highest rating by the Conservative Party of New York State.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpnys.org/2017/06/14/2017-assembly-ratings/|title=2017 Assembly Ratings|website=CPNYS|date=14 June 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | ||
In his first year as County Executive, Byrne reduced the overall tax burden in the budget for the first time in 25 years.<ref name="Austin">{{Cite web |last=Austin |first=Brian |title=Putnam County Cuts Taxes & Strengthens Services - Putnam County, New York |url=https://putnamcountyny.com/county-executive-articles/press-releases-2/putnam-county-cuts-taxes-strengthens-services |access-date=2023-11-24 |website=putnamcountyny.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> He enacted a property tax cut that lowered the tax rate to its lowest level in 15 years,<ref name="Austin"/> and lowered sales tax to make it fairer and less regressive,<ref name="Austin"/> all with no new borrowing.<ref name="Austin"/> | |||
⚫ | In 2019 Byrne was honored |
||
That’s in addition to other initiatives such as: | |||
⚫ | During his first term, Byrne introduced and passed ten bills in the Assembly, eight of which passed the Senate and were signed into law by the governor, more than most other freshmen members during that time.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/yorktown/articles/state-assembly-candidate-kevin-byrne|title=State Assembly Candidate: Kevin Byrne|website=TAPinto|language=en|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?sh=advanced|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> During his three terms in the Legislature, Byrne introduced and passed over twenty bills that have been signed into law by either Governor Andrew Cuomo or Governor ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Search and Legislative Information {{!}} New York State Assembly |url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?sh=advanced |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | ||
*Enacted a true 10% property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers (Byrne had helped pass enabling state legislation for local governments as a cosponsor in his previous role as an Assemblyman in 2022). | |||
⚫ | '''Some brief examples of |
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*Committed an additional $2 million into a facility improvement fund to make desperately needed improvements to public facilities | |||
*Reorganized the county’s Highway & Facilities Department into a professional Department of Public Works. | |||
*Secured funding for a new $1.3 million state-of-the-art fire training center<ref>{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Peter |title=Byrne Announces Plans for New Fire Training Center |url=https://news.hamlethub.com/brewster/life/17408-byrne-announces-plans-for-new-fire-training-center |access-date=2023-08-20 |website=www.hamlethub.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> | |||
* Authorized the utilization of cameras to crack down on motorists illegally passing school buses. (Byrne had helped pass enabling state legislation for local governments in his previous role as an Assemblyman in 2018). | |||
* Created a new full time position to serve individuals with disabilities as part of the county’s recommitment to ThinkDIFFERENTLY. | |||
* Revived the Board of Ethics with active terms and appointments. | |||
In his first State of the County, Byrne proposed local legislation to codify a Taxpayer Transparency Act and a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. To date, neither have been acted on by the Legislature.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pezzullo |first=Rick |date=2023-03-15 |title=Byrne Touts Opportunity in First State of the County Address |url=https://www.theexaminernews.com/byrne-touts-opportunity-in-first-state-of-the-county-address/ |access-date=2023-08-09 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Austin |first=Brian |title=Byrne & Slater Tout Solutions to New York State’s Poor Economic Outlook - Putnam County, New York |url=https://www.putnamcountyny.com/county-executive-articles/press-releases-2/byrne-slater-tout-solutions-to-new-york-state-s-poor-economic-outlook |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=www.putnamcountyny.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> | |||
In 2023 as the migrant crisis continued to overwhelm municipalities across America, amplified by the expiration of Title 42, Byrne responded directly to the City of New York’s migrant placement program which sought to offload its homeless population into neighboring counties with little to no planning or communication. Byrne prevented the City from abandoning its transient homeless population in the county without first obtaining a shared services agreement with Putnam County. New York City sued both Putnam County and Byrne, but the suit was dismissed in its entirety by a New York City judge in New York State Supreme Court.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Austin |first=Brian |title=Confronting Disinformation with Facts & Responsible Decision Making - Putnam County, New York |url=https://putnamcountyny.com/county-executive-articles/press-releases-2/confronting-disinformation-with-facts-responsible-decision-making |access-date=2023-08-09 |website=putnamcountyny.com |language=en-gb}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | == New York State Assembly == | ||
⚫ | Byrne served in the Assembly for three terms, from 2017 till the end of 2022. During his first term in the Assembly, Byrne voted against every tax increase proposed in the Assembly. This is a primary reason why Byrne was recognized in 2017 as one of five state legislators with the highest rating by the Conservative Party of New York State.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cpnys.org/2017/06/14/2017-assembly-ratings/|title=2017 Assembly Ratings|website=CPNYS|date=14 June 2017|language=en-US|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | In 2019 Byrne was honored by the Westchester-Putnam Right to Life Committee.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2019-09-15|title=Byrne Honored with Saint Michael the Archangel Award|url=http://www.byrne4ny.com/life/byrne-honored-with-saint-michael-the-archangel-award/|access-date=2021-10-07|website=Byrne4NY|language=en}}</ref> In 2020 he received the "Guardian of Small Business" Award from the ], in addition to being named as one of ] 2020 ''emerging leaders.''<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-10-29|title=Byrne Named Guardian of Small Business|url=http://www.byrne4ny.com/business/byrne-named-guardian-of-small-business/|access-date=2021-10-07|website=Byrne4NY|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-09|title=GOPAC Announces 2020 Class of Emerging Leaders|url=https://www.gopac.org/2020/07/gopac-announces-2020-class-of-emerging-leaders/|access-date=2021-10-07|website=GOPAC|language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | During his first term, Byrne introduced and passed ten bills in the Assembly, eight of which passed the Senate and were signed into law by the governor, more than most other freshmen members during that time.<ref name="tapinto.net">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/yorktown/articles/state-assembly-candidate-kevin-byrne|title=State Assembly Candidate: Kevin Byrne|website=TAPinto|language=en|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref name="nyassembly.gov">{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?sh=advanced|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> During his three terms in the Legislature, Byrne introduced and passed over twenty bills that have been signed into law by either Governor Andrew Cuomo or Governor ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bill Search and Legislative Information {{!}} New York State Assembly |url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?sh=advanced |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | '''Some brief examples of Byrne's legislation in the Assembly included:''' | ||
* Honoring the actions of a local Yorktown military hero by designating a portion of state roadway the Major Clayton Carpenter Memorial Highway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A02998&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | * Honoring the actions of a local Yorktown military hero by designating a portion of state roadway the Major Clayton Carpenter Memorial Highway.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A02998&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | ||
* Designating various local lakes as inland waterways to improve eligibility for state grants<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07123&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07974&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A09655&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A03098&term=2019|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | * Designating various local lakes as inland waterways to improve eligibility for state grants<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07123&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07974&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A09655&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A03098&term=2019|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | ||
* Loosening a residency requirement for the town of ] to help recruitment and retention |
* Loosening a residency requirement for the town of ] to help recruitment and retention efforts for specific public employee positions that serve the town.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07362&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A10743&term=2017|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | ||
*Making New York more welcoming to a new business by allowing a potential distillery |
*Making New York more welcoming to a new business by allowing a potential distillery project to both develop and sell alcohol. The reported planned investment into the district by the businesses is $40 million, and would bring revenue for the county, town, school districts, in addition to jobs and new economic activity to the region.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bill Search and Legislative Information {{!}} New York State Assembly|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A00711&term=2017|access-date=2021-03-28|website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | ||
* Granting forgiveness for ministerial errors made by a local school district saving the district millions of dollars owed from penalties and previous school aid (initially vetoed by Gov. Cuomo<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07129&term=2019|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> but identical bill language was later included and passed in 2020-2021 FY budget which Byrne opposed for unrelated reasons<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A09506&term=2019|title=A9506B ELFA budget bill|date=April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theexaminernews.com/the-nys-budget-op-ed-from-assemblyman-byrne/|title=The NYS Budget: Op-Ed from Assemblyman Byrne|website=www.theexaminernews.com|date=10 April 2020|access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref>) | * Granting forgiveness for ministerial errors made by a local school district saving the district millions of dollars owed from penalties and previous school aid (initially vetoed by Gov. Cuomo<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07129&term=2019|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|website=nyassembly.gov|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> but identical bill language was later included and passed in 2020-2021 FY budget which Byrne opposed for unrelated reasons<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A09506&term=2019|title=A9506B ELFA budget bill|date=April 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.theexaminernews.com/the-nys-budget-op-ed-from-assemblyman-byrne/|title=The NYS Budget: Op-Ed from Assemblyman Byrne|website=www.theexaminernews.com|date=10 April 2020|access-date=2020-04-10}}</ref>) | ||
* Increasing awareness about Atomic Veterans, an essential but sadly under-recognized group, through naming a large multi-million dollar pedestrian bridge over the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County after the |
* Increasing awareness about Atomic Veterans, an essential but sadly under-recognized group, through naming a large multi-million dollar pedestrian bridge over the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County after the state's Atomic Veterans.<ref name="icmglt.org">{{Cite web |date=2022-07-29 |title=Byrne & Harckham Honor Atomic Veterans at Bridge Naming |url=https://icmglt.org/byrne-harckham-honor-atomic-veterans-at-bridge-naming/ |access-date=2022-08-01 |website=ICMGLT |language=en-US}}</ref> The general lack of awareness regarding America's Atomic Veterans is largely due to the fact that these veterans were prohibited from sharing stories about their work, due to its top secret nature, until it was declassified in 1996 by the U.S. Congress.<ref name="icmglt.org"/> | ||
'''Some other examples of legislation co-sponsored by Byrne that became law include:''' | '''Some other examples of legislation co-sponsored by Byrne that became law include:''' | ||
* Strengthened the Clean Indoor Air Act (Byrne was the only GOP Assembly member to co-sponsor this legislation) <ref>{{Cite web|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A00516&term=2017|access-date=2019-09-30|website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | * Strengthened the Clean Indoor Air Act (Byrne was the only GOP Assembly member to co-sponsor this legislation) <ref>{{Cite web|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A00516&term=2017|access-date=2019-09-30|website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | ||
*Prohibited the practice of conversion "therapy" on minors (Byrne was the only Republican legislator to co-sponsor this legislation)<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York A00576 {{!}} 2019-2020 {{!}} General Assembly|url=https://legiscan.com/NY/bill/A00576/2019|access-date=2019-11-21|website=LegiScan|language=en}}</ref> | *Prohibited the practice of conversion "therapy" on minors (Byrne was the only Republican legislator to co-sponsor this legislation)<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York A00576 {{!}} 2019-2020 {{!}} General Assembly|url=https://legiscan.com/NY/bill/A00576/2019|access-date=2019-11-21|website=LegiScan|language=en}}</ref> | ||
* Increased access to Automated External Defibrillators |
* Increased access to Automated External Defibrillators<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07532&term=2017|access-date=2019-09-30|website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | ||
* Better benefits for combat veterans |
* Better benefits for combat veterans<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A03198&term=2017|access-date=2019-09-30|website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | ||
* Increased access to Epinephrine Auto-injectors |
* Increased access to Epinephrine Auto-injectors<ref>{{Cite web|title=New York State Assembly {{!}} Bill Search and Legislative Information|url=https://nyassembly.gov/leg/?bn=A07635&term=2017|access-date=2019-09-30|website=nyassembly.gov}}</ref> | ||
*Expanded cancer coverage for volunteer |
*Expanded cancer coverage for volunteer firefighters<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-10-24 |title=Senator Murphy and Assemblyman Byrne cheer Gov signing of cancer coverage bill for firefighters |url=https://www.nysenate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/terrence-murphy/senator-murphy-and-assemblyman-byrne-cheer-gov-signing |access-date=2022-08-16 |website=NY State Senate |language=en}}</ref> | ||
*Created new revenue streams for local fire |
*Created new revenue streams for local fire departments from reimbursement for EMS services<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-09 |title=Byrne Seeks Reimbursements to Fire Departments For EMS Runs |url=https://www.theexaminernews.com/byrne-calls-for-reimbursements-to-fire-departments-for-ems-runs/ |access-date=2022-08-16 |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
⚫ | == COVID-19 Pandemic |
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⚫ | In January 2020, Byrne was appointed Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Health Committee by Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay. Less than three months later, New York State had its first confirmed positive case of COVID-19, and New York's health system was tested in an unprecedented manner. | ||
Throughout the pandemic, while Byrne and many of his legislative colleagues supported efforts to provide resources to front line workers, researchers, and medical providers, he also highlighted disparities in treatment and spoke out publicly to protect individual rights and liberties, including a person's First Amendment right to peaceably assemble.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-06-06 |title=Why is it OK for these protesters to break social-distancing rules? |url=https://nypost.com/2020/06/05/why-is-it-ok-for-protesters-to-break-social-distancing-rules/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref> As the pandemic became increasingly politicized by both political parties and Governor Cuomo admonished the federal government, Byrne spoke up thanking the federal government for its support and highlighted the Governor's own pandemic shortcomings, including its failed interventions regarding nursing homes.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-07-17 |title=Andrew Cuomo's COVID-19 tall tales |url=https://nypost.com/2020/07/17/andrew-cuomos-covid-19-tall-tales/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
⚫ | As numerous scandals unraveled around Andrew Cuomo's administration, Byrne was a loud vocal critic. He called for hearings into the state's pandemic response in elder care facilities, demanded transparency in COVID-19 nursing home data, and ultimately called for an impeachment investigation into Governor Cuomo for his response and subsequent coverup of the state's handling of the virus in nursing homes.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Morales |first1=Lara |date=2020-04-30 |title=State investigating nursing homes' COVID-19 responses |url=https://legislativegazette.com/state-to-investigate-nursing-homes-response-to-covid-19/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=The Legislative Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref> |
||
Ultimately, the bipartisan coalition against Andrew Cuomo grew to a point where calls for his resignation spread across the state including from top Democrat officials U.S. Senators ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-03-14 |title=Why Kirsten Gillibrand finally called on Cuomo to resign over misconduct allegations |url=https://nypost.com/2021/03/14/why-kirsten-gillibrand-finally-called-on-cuomo-to-resign/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=New York Post |language=en-US}}</ref> This was bolstered by a critical report released by NYS Attorney General Leticia James confirming that Governor Cuomo's administration had under-reported nursing home related deaths in an nontransparent manner. The Assembly Judiciary Committee ultimately enacted an impeachment investigation. Shortly after Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Judiciary Chairman Charles Lavine made it clear it would release the committee's findings, the Governor announced his resignation. <ref>{{Cite web |title=New York Assembly's Cuomo probe could conclude Oct. 1, lawmaker says |url=https://spectrumlocalnews.com/nys/central-ny/ny-state-of-politics/2021/09/08/assembly-s-cuomo-probe-could-conclude-oct--1--lawmaker-says |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=spectrumlocalnews.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
== Honors == | |||
2022 Putnam County Land Trust Honoree<ref>{{Cite web |title=Putnam County Land Trust |url=https://www.facebook.com/putnamcountylandtrustnewyork/posts/pfbid0YdBhCERhpLLfexS3hBjCgZPsCAFsdaB2s7cGS9D286QZtfBUqUUN5eVsErz3GsFdl |access-date=2022-08-22 |website=www.facebook.com |language=en}}</ref> | |||
2021 Irish Echo 40 under 40 | |||
2020 Guardian of Small Business by the NFIB | |||
2020 Emerging Leader of GOPAC | |||
2020 Distinguished Citizenship Award by Brewster Elks | |||
2019 Saint Michael the Archangel “Defender of Life” Award by Westchester-Putnam Right to Life | |||
⚫ | == COVID-19 Pandemic == | ||
2017 Rising Star of the New York State Republican Party | |||
⚫ | In January 2020, as a member of the state Assembly, Byrne was appointed Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Health Committee by Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay. Less than three months later, New York State had its first confirmed positive case of COVID-19, and New York's health system was tested in an unprecedented manner. | ||
⚫ | As numerous scandals unraveled around Andrew Cuomo's administration, Byrne was a loud vocal critic. He called for hearings into the state's pandemic response in elder care facilities, demanded transparency in COVID-19 nursing home data, and ultimately called for an impeachment investigation into Governor Cuomo for his response and subsequent coverup of the state's handling of the virus in nursing homes.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Morales |first1=Lara |date=2020-04-30 |title=State investigating nursing homes' COVID-19 responses |url=https://legislativegazette.com/state-to-investigate-nursing-homes-response-to-covid-19/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=The Legislative Gazette |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |first=Dan |last=Murphy |date=2021-03-12 |title=Assemblyman Kevin Byrne Calls for Impeachment of Governor Cuomo |url=http://yonkerstimes.com/assemblyman-kevin-byrne-calls-for-impeachment-of-governor-cuomo/ |access-date=2022-05-17 |website=Yonkers Times |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
2017 Highest rating by the Conservative Party of New York State | |||
⚫ | == Electoral history == | ||
2017 Wheeler Milmoe Assembly Member of the Year Award by New York State Young Republicans | |||
{| class="wikitable" style="float: right" | {| class="wikitable" style="float: right" | ||
|+ | |||
⚫ | |||
!Year | !Year | ||
!Votes |
!Votes | ||
!Percentage of Votes | !Percentage of Votes | ||
|- | |- | ||
Line 120: | Line 116: | ||
|'''41,681''' | |'''41,681''' | ||
|'''62.46%''' | |'''62.46%''' | ||
|- | |||
|2022 | |||
|'''28,618''' | |||
|'''98.96%''' | |||
|- | |- | ||
|''Total'' | |''Total'' | ||
|91,324 | |91,324 | ||
| |
|68.32% ''<small>(avg)</small>'' | ||
|} | |} | ||
== 2016 New York Assembly campaign == | == 2016 New York Assembly campaign == | ||
In |
In 2016, Assemblyman ] announced that he would not seek another term. Byrne was one of five Republicans that announced they would seek the nomination to replace Katz.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/yorktown/articles/five-republicans-vie-for-assembly-nomination|title=Five Republicans Vie for Assembly Nomination|newspaper=TAPinto|access-date=2017-02-22|language=en}}</ref> At the local Republican Convention, Byrne received 14,562 weighted votes (76%) over Somers Town Councilman Bill Faulkner's 3,681 (19%) and Carmel Councilwoman Suzanne McDonough's 974 (5%).<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=http://patch.com/new-york/yorktown-somers/byrne-wins-gop-nomination-landslide-0|title=Byrne Wins GOP Nomination in Landslide|date=2016-05-03|newspaper=Yorktown-Somers, NY Patch|language=en-US|access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref> Councilwoman McDonough immediately pledged she would continue a primary campaign.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=http://www.putnamcountycourier.com/news/2016-05-05/Front_Page/Kevin_Byrne_Assembly_Candidate_Injured_In_Crash.html|title=Kevin Byrne, Assembly Candidate, Injured In Crash|newspaper=The Putnam County Courier|access-date=2017-01-05}}</ref> | ||
A day after winning his |
A day after winning his party's endorsement, Byrne was injured in a Brewster auto accident, breaking his right knee and suffering other injuries when another car, traveling at high speed, crossed into his lane, he said, and collided with him head-on.<ref name=":3"/><ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/somers/sections/somers-top-stories/articles/byrne-endorsed-for-assembly-faulkner-unsure-of-p|title=Byrne Endorsed for Assembly; Faulkner Unsure of Primary|website=TAPinto|language=en|access-date=2019-09-24}}</ref> Byrne continued his campaign throughout his recovery and would later be victorious during the Republican primary, defeating McDonough 60% to 40%.<ref name=":5">{{cite web | title = NYS Board of Elections Primary Results, September 13, 2016 | url = https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2016/Primary/2016StateLocalPrimaryElectionResults.pdf | access-date = 2020-08-26 }}</ref> He won the 2016 general election over Democrat Brian Higbie in the 2016 general election with 61% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web | title = NYS Board of Elections Assembly Elections Returns Nov. 8, 2016| url = https://www.elections.ny.gov/NYSBOE/elections/2016/General/2016Assembly.pdf | access-date = 2020-08-26 }}</ref> | ||
==2018 New York Assembly campaign== | ==2018 New York Assembly campaign== | ||
In 2018, Byrne was challenged by Vedat Gashi, a Yorktown resident and real estate attorney.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/mahopac/articles/byrne-and-gashi-vie-for-state-assembly-seat|title=Byrne and Gashi Vie for State Assembly Seat|work=TAPinto|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/|title=Home Page - New York State Board of Elections|website=www.elections.ny.gov|access-date=2019-09-28}}</ref> | In 2018, Byrne was challenged by Vedat Gashi, a Yorktown resident and real estate attorney.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/mahopac/articles/byrne-and-gashi-vie-for-state-assembly-seat|title=Byrne and Gashi Vie for State Assembly Seat|work=TAPinto|access-date=2018-11-13|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.elections.ny.gov/|title=Home Page - New York State Board of Elections|website=www.elections.ny.gov|access-date=2019-09-28}}</ref> | ||
During the campaign, a debate at the Putnam League of Women Voters Forum became contentious due to a dispute between the candidates about whether Byrne had supported legislation that would prevent violent domestic abusers from obtaining firearms, commonly referred to as the |
During the campaign, a debate at the Putnam League of Women Voters Forum became contentious due to a dispute between the candidates about whether Byrne had supported legislation that would prevent violent domestic abusers from obtaining firearms, commonly referred to as the "Domestic Violence Escalation Protection Act" (Assembly bill ).<ref>{{Citation|title=LWV-PC General Elections Candidate Forum 10/22/2018|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vWnjWNnHCmA|language=en|access-date=2019-09-28}}</ref> Byrne voted in favor of the bill in question (A5025) twice. | ||
Throughout the campaign, Byrne argued that his effectiveness was shown by his record of passing more legislation than nearly any other freshmen lawmaker in the state (of the 20+ freshmen legislators only 3 freshmen Democrats passed more).<ref |
Throughout the campaign, Byrne argued that his effectiveness was shown by his record of passing more legislation than nearly any other freshmen lawmaker in the state (of the 20+ freshmen legislators only 3 freshmen Democrats passed more).<ref name="tapinto.net"/><ref name="nyassembly.gov"/> Gashi argued that he could deliver more for the district by being a member of the majority Democratic conference. | ||
Gashi's campaign outspent Byrne's campaign by more than four times, spending more than $250,000 compared to Byrne's approximately $65,000.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.followthemoney.org/entity-details?eid=45421672|title=GASHI, VEDAT - FollowTheMoney.org|website=www.followthemoney.org|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.followthemoney.org/entity-details?eid=41756011&default=candidate|title=BYRNE, KEVIN M - FollowTheMoney.org|website=www.followthemoney.org|access-date=2020-08-26}}</ref> | |||
The same election year, the state Senate flipped to Democratic control. This was in part due to the loss of a Republican held Senate seat that largely overlapped with the 94th Assembly District. In a year that proved challenging for many Republicans across the state, Byrne won his bid for re-election by a double digit margin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/yorktown/articles/byrne-defeats-gashi-in-94th-assembly-district|title=Byrne Defeats Gashi in 94th Assembly District|website=TAPinto|language=en|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | The same election year, the state Senate flipped to Democratic control. This was in part due to the loss of a Republican held Senate seat that largely overlapped with the 94th Assembly District. In a year that proved challenging for many Republicans across the state, Byrne won his bid for re-election by a double digit margin.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/yorktown/articles/byrne-defeats-gashi-in-94th-assembly-district|title=Byrne Defeats Gashi in 94th Assembly District|website=TAPinto|language=en|access-date=2019-09-30}}</ref> | ||
== 2020 New York Assembly campaign == | == 2020 New York Assembly campaign == | ||
In 2020, Byrne was challenged by first time candidate Stephanie Keegan (D), a Somers resident who had recently worked |
In 2020, Byrne was challenged by first time candidate Stephanie Keegan (D), a Somers resident who had recently worked in insurance billing for CareMount Medical.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Byrne, Keegan Face Off In 94th Assembly District Race |url=https://www.tapinto.net/towns/mahopac/sections/elections/articles/byrne-keegan-face-off-in-94th-assembly-district-race |access-date=2022-04-16 |website=TAPinto |language=en}}</ref> | ||
Keegan ran solely on the Democratic Party Line. Byrne ran on the Republican, Conservative, Independence, Reform, and Rebuild Our State Lines. |
Keegan ran solely on the Democratic Party Line. Byrne ran on the Republican, Conservative, Independence, Reform, and Rebuild Our State Lines. | ||
The 2020 election produced a record breaking turnout across the country with an unprecedented amount of absentee ballots turned in. | The 2020 election produced a record breaking turnout across the country with an unprecedented amount of absentee ballots turned in. | ||
Byrne won with 41,681 votes (62% of the vote), receiving more votes for that Assembly District than any other candidate recorded in the state board of elections website. | Byrne won with 41,681 votes (62% of the vote), receiving more votes for that Assembly District than any other candidate recorded in history according to the state board of elections website. | ||
== 2022 Putnam County Executive campaign == | == 2022 Putnam County Executive campaign == | ||
In November 2021, Byrne announced his candidacy for the position of County Executive for ], running under the Republican Party. |
In November 2021, Byrne announced his candidacy for the position of County Executive for ], running under the Republican Party. The incumbent executive at the time, Maryellen Odell, was unable to run for re-election after three consecutive terms due to term limits.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-12-14 |title=Byrne's a Strong Putnam County Executive Candidate |url=https://www.theexaminernews.com/byrnes-a-strong-putnam-county-executive-candidate-but-its-not-a-done-deal/ |access-date=2021-12-19 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Carey |first=Peter |title=Former County Clerk Dennis Sant Endorses Kevin Byrne for County Executive |url=https://news.hamlethub.com/brewster/politics/15786-former-county-clerk-dennis-sant-endorses-kevin-byrne-for-county-executive |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=www.hamlethub.com |language=en-gb}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-19 |title=State Legislator to Run for Putnam Executive |url=https://highlandscurrent.org/2021/11/19/state-legislator-to-run-for-putnam-executive/ |access-date=2021-12-19 |website=The Highlands Current |language=en-US}}</ref> | ||
Byrne initially faced fierce opposition from the incumbent establishment within his own political party as Maryellen Odell and the Putnam County Republican Party Chairman Anthony Scannapieco publicly endorsed outgoing county legislator Carl Albano for the post.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pezzullo |first=Rick |date=2022-02-02 |title=Legislator Albano Second Hopeful for Putnam County Executive |url=https://www.theexaminernews.com/legislator-albano-second-hopeful-for-putnam-county-executive/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> Other senior party officials from the county appeared to follow suit as the sheriff and numerous other county legislators seemingly backed Albano at his announcement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-24 |title=GOP County |
Byrne initially faced fierce opposition from the incumbent establishment within his own political party as Maryellen Odell and the Putnam County Republican Party Chairman Anthony Scannapieco publicly endorsed outgoing county legislator Carl Albano for the post.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pezzullo |first=Rick |date=2022-02-02 |title=Legislator Albano Second Hopeful for Putnam County Executive |url=https://www.theexaminernews.com/legislator-albano-second-hopeful-for-putnam-county-executive/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |language=en-US}}</ref> Other senior party officials from the county appeared to follow suit as the sheriff and numerous other county legislators seemingly backed Albano at his announcement.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-01-24 |title=GOP County Executive's Race: - Putnam County Courier |url=https://www.putnamcountycourier.com/articles/gop-county-executives-race/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=Putnam County Courier -}}</ref> | ||
Prior to the Putnam County GOP |
Prior to the Putnam County GOP Committee's convention the Conservative Party endorsed Byrne. As it became clear that Byrne was more competitive than initially thought, Scannapieco wrote a series of scathing letters attacking Byrne for his decision to run. The effort by Scannapieco and Odell backfired and Byrne won the convention 148 - 76.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Propper |first=David |title=Byrne withstands criticism from GOP chair to nab nomination for Putnam County executive |url=https://www.lohud.com/story/news/local/putnam/2022/02/18/assemblyman-kevin-byrne-gop-nomination-putnam-county-executive/6835772001/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=The Journal News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-03-01 |title=Kevin Byrne Captures Republican Nod for County Exec; Will Run Unopposed Unless Dems Field Candidate|url=https://www.pcnr.com/articles/kevin-byrne-captures-republican-nod-for-county-exec-will-run-unopposed-unless-dems-field-candidate/ |access-date=2022-08-04 |website=The Putnam County News & Recorder }}</ref> | ||
Following the results of the convention, Scannapieco immediately publicly pledged his support for Byrne as the Republican candidate. While there was initial talk of a Republican Primary, it stopped as Albano too pledged he would support Byrne.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albano Drops Out of County Executive Race |url=https://highlandscurrent.org/2022/03/11/albano-drops-out-of-county-executive-race/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=The Highlands Current |language=en-US}}</ref> Surprisingly, no Democratic candidate surfaced to run for the open position. | Following the results of the convention, Scannapieco immediately publicly pledged his support for Byrne as the Republican candidate. While there was initial talk of a Republican Primary, it stopped as Albano too pledged he would support Byrne.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Albano Drops Out of County Executive Race |url=https://highlandscurrent.org/2022/03/11/albano-drops-out-of-county-executive-race/ |access-date=2022-07-31 |website=The Highlands Current |language=en-US}}</ref> Surprisingly, no Democratic candidate surfaced to run for the open position. | ||
Byrne won the November election to become the 6th County Executive of Putnam County, NY with 28,621 votes (99% of the total votes cast), more than any candidate for county executive in Putnam County history.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Live Election Results – Putnam County Board of Elections |url=https://putnamboe.com/live-election-results/ |access-date=2022-11-22 |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Election Results – Putnam County Board of Elections |url=https://putnamboe.com/election-results/ |access-date=2022-12-11 |language=en-US}}</ref> | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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==External links== | ==External links== | ||
* official site | * official site | ||
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Latest revision as of 05:47, 30 November 2024
Kevin Byrne | |
---|---|
County Executive of Putnam County | |
Incumbent | |
Assumed office January 1, 2023 | |
Preceded by | Maryellen Odell |
Member of the New York State Assembly from the 94th district | |
In office January 3, 2017 – December 31, 2022 | |
Preceded by | Steve Katz |
Succeeded by | Matt Slater |
Personal details | |
Born | (1984-12-20) December 20, 1984 (age 40) Carmel, New York, U.S. |
Political party | Republican |
Spouse | Briana Messina |
Children | Braeden |
Residence | Mahopac, New York |
Alma mater |
|
Awards | 2021 Irish Echo 40 Under 40, 2020 NFIB Guardian of Small Business, 2020 GOPAC Emerging Leader, 2019 Westchester-Putnam Defender of Life Award, 2017 New York State GOP Rising Star, 2017 Highest Rated State Legislator by New York State Conservative Party, 2017 New York State Young Republicans' Wheeler Milmoe Assembly Member of the Year, 2003 Eagle Scout |
Signature | |
Website | putnamcountyny Campaign website |
Kevin Byrne is the 6th County Executive of Putnam County, NY and is a former state legislator of the New York State Assembly. He is a registered Republican.
As Putnam County Executive, Byrne is both the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Budget Officer of Putnam County government. He serves as a national executive board member of the American City County Exchange, board member of the New York Metropolitan Transportation Council, board member of the East of Hudson Watershed Corporation, and is a member of the County Executives of America, New York State Association of Counties, and New York State County Executives Association. In 2024, Byrne was also named to Run Gen Z's Rising Stars Club where he serves as a mentor for younger Generation Z officials and candidates, supporting a new generation of leaders across America.
During his tenure in the Assembly, Byrne served as the ranking member on the Assembly Health Committee, chairperson of the Assembly Minority Conference Program Committee, co-chair of the Assembly Minority Conference Task Force on Critical Infrastructure and Transportation, ranking member of the Assembly Aging Committee, and vice chair of minority steering. Byrne also served on the Assembly Ways & Means, Governmental Operations, Insurance, Labor, and Transportation Committees.
From 2018 to 2022, Byrne served as the New York State chair of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC).
Life and career
Byrne was born and raised in the Hudson Valley and attended Carmel High School before enrolling at the University of Scranton. As a high school student, he earned the rank of Eagle Scout. At Scranton, Byrne completed the academic portion of the Army ROTC program supported by an internship with then Congresswoman Sue Kelly. However, was ultimately unable to qualify and serve in the Army due to two previous spinal surgeries.
Following his graduation from the University of Scranton in 2007, Byrne returned to the Hudson Valley where he worked for several years in emergency services at Westchester EMS. Simultaneously, he served as a member of the Putnam Valley Planning Board and as a Firefighter/EMT with the Kent Volunteer Fire Department where he served three terms as the department's president. He later served as Deputy District Director to Congresswoman Nan Hayworth and then as a Regional Director for the American Heart Association while finishing his M.P.A. concentrating in Healthcare Administration at Marist College. Prior to running for public office, he also worked in healthcare administration assisting the Senior Director of Clinical Operations at CareMount Medical, which at the time was the largest private multi-specialty medical group in New York state.
Byrne won his first bid seeking elected office in 2016 when he was elected as the Assemblyman for New York's 94th Assembly District.
Byrne lives in Mahopac with his wife Briana and their young son Braeden.
Putnam County
Byrne has served as Putnam County Executive since January 1, 2023. As County Executive, Byrne introduced a variety of new initiatives to enhance transparency and accessibility, centralize services, prioritize spending, and implement new guardrails to control government spending and taxation.
In his first year as County Executive, Byrne reduced the overall tax burden in the budget for the first time in 25 years. He enacted a property tax cut that lowered the tax rate to its lowest level in 15 years, and lowered sales tax to make it fairer and less regressive, all with no new borrowing.
That’s in addition to other initiatives such as:
- Enacted a true 10% property tax exemption for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers (Byrne had helped pass enabling state legislation for local governments as a cosponsor in his previous role as an Assemblyman in 2022).
- Committed an additional $2 million into a facility improvement fund to make desperately needed improvements to public facilities
- Reorganized the county’s Highway & Facilities Department into a professional Department of Public Works.
- Secured funding for a new $1.3 million state-of-the-art fire training center
- Authorized the utilization of cameras to crack down on motorists illegally passing school buses. (Byrne had helped pass enabling state legislation for local governments in his previous role as an Assemblyman in 2018).
- Created a new full time position to serve individuals with disabilities as part of the county’s recommitment to ThinkDIFFERENTLY.
- Revived the Board of Ethics with active terms and appointments.
In his first State of the County, Byrne proposed local legislation to codify a Taxpayer Transparency Act and a Taxpayer Bill of Rights. To date, neither have been acted on by the Legislature.
In 2023 as the migrant crisis continued to overwhelm municipalities across America, amplified by the expiration of Title 42, Byrne responded directly to the City of New York’s migrant placement program which sought to offload its homeless population into neighboring counties with little to no planning or communication. Byrne prevented the City from abandoning its transient homeless population in the county without first obtaining a shared services agreement with Putnam County. New York City sued both Putnam County and Byrne, but the suit was dismissed in its entirety by a New York City judge in New York State Supreme Court.
New York State Assembly
Byrne served in the Assembly for three terms, from 2017 till the end of 2022. During his first term in the Assembly, Byrne voted against every tax increase proposed in the Assembly. This is a primary reason why Byrne was recognized in 2017 as one of five state legislators with the highest rating by the Conservative Party of New York State.
In 2019 Byrne was honored by the Westchester-Putnam Right to Life Committee. In 2020 he received the "Guardian of Small Business" Award from the NFIB, in addition to being named as one of GOPAC's 2020 emerging leaders.
During his first term, Byrne introduced and passed ten bills in the Assembly, eight of which passed the Senate and were signed into law by the governor, more than most other freshmen members during that time. During his three terms in the Legislature, Byrne introduced and passed over twenty bills that have been signed into law by either Governor Andrew Cuomo or Governor Kathy Hochul.
Some brief examples of Byrne's legislation in the Assembly included:
- Honoring the actions of a local Yorktown military hero by designating a portion of state roadway the Major Clayton Carpenter Memorial Highway.
- Designating various local lakes as inland waterways to improve eligibility for state grants
- Loosening a residency requirement for the town of Somers to help recruitment and retention efforts for specific public employee positions that serve the town.
- Making New York more welcoming to a new business by allowing a potential distillery project to both develop and sell alcohol. The reported planned investment into the district by the businesses is $40 million, and would bring revenue for the county, town, school districts, in addition to jobs and new economic activity to the region.
- Granting forgiveness for ministerial errors made by a local school district saving the district millions of dollars owed from penalties and previous school aid (initially vetoed by Gov. Cuomo but identical bill language was later included and passed in 2020-2021 FY budget which Byrne opposed for unrelated reasons)
- Increasing awareness about Atomic Veterans, an essential but sadly under-recognized group, through naming a large multi-million dollar pedestrian bridge over the Taconic State Parkway in Westchester County after the state's Atomic Veterans. The general lack of awareness regarding America's Atomic Veterans is largely due to the fact that these veterans were prohibited from sharing stories about their work, due to its top secret nature, until it was declassified in 1996 by the U.S. Congress.
Some other examples of legislation co-sponsored by Byrne that became law include:
- Strengthened the Clean Indoor Air Act (Byrne was the only GOP Assembly member to co-sponsor this legislation)
- Prohibited the practice of conversion "therapy" on minors (Byrne was the only Republican legislator to co-sponsor this legislation)
- Increased access to Automated External Defibrillators
- Better benefits for combat veterans
- Increased access to Epinephrine Auto-injectors
- Expanded cancer coverage for volunteer firefighters
- Created new revenue streams for local fire departments from reimbursement for EMS services
COVID-19 Pandemic
In January 2020, as a member of the state Assembly, Byrne was appointed Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Health Committee by Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay. Less than three months later, New York State had its first confirmed positive case of COVID-19, and New York's health system was tested in an unprecedented manner.
As numerous scandals unraveled around Andrew Cuomo's administration, Byrne was a loud vocal critic. He called for hearings into the state's pandemic response in elder care facilities, demanded transparency in COVID-19 nursing home data, and ultimately called for an impeachment investigation into Governor Cuomo for his response and subsequent coverup of the state's handling of the virus in nursing homes.
Electoral history
Year | Votes | Percentage of Votes |
---|---|---|
2016 Primary | 2,663 | 60.13% |
2016 General | 36,760 | 61.41% |
2018 | 29,491 | 58.66% |
2020 | 41,681 | 62.46% |
2022 | 28,618 | 98.96% |
Total | 91,324 | 68.32% (avg) |
2016 New York Assembly campaign
In 2016, Assemblyman Steve Katz announced that he would not seek another term. Byrne was one of five Republicans that announced they would seek the nomination to replace Katz. At the local Republican Convention, Byrne received 14,562 weighted votes (76%) over Somers Town Councilman Bill Faulkner's 3,681 (19%) and Carmel Councilwoman Suzanne McDonough's 974 (5%). Councilwoman McDonough immediately pledged she would continue a primary campaign.
A day after winning his party's endorsement, Byrne was injured in a Brewster auto accident, breaking his right knee and suffering other injuries when another car, traveling at high speed, crossed into his lane, he said, and collided with him head-on. Byrne continued his campaign throughout his recovery and would later be victorious during the Republican primary, defeating McDonough 60% to 40%. He won the 2016 general election over Democrat Brian Higbie in the 2016 general election with 61% of the vote.
2018 New York Assembly campaign
In 2018, Byrne was challenged by Vedat Gashi, a Yorktown resident and real estate attorney.
During the campaign, a debate at the Putnam League of Women Voters Forum became contentious due to a dispute between the candidates about whether Byrne had supported legislation that would prevent violent domestic abusers from obtaining firearms, commonly referred to as the "Domestic Violence Escalation Protection Act" (Assembly bill A5025). Byrne voted in favor of the bill in question (A5025) twice.
Throughout the campaign, Byrne argued that his effectiveness was shown by his record of passing more legislation than nearly any other freshmen lawmaker in the state (of the 20+ freshmen legislators only 3 freshmen Democrats passed more). Gashi argued that he could deliver more for the district by being a member of the majority Democratic conference.
Gashi's campaign outspent Byrne's campaign by more than four times, spending more than $250,000 compared to Byrne's approximately $65,000.
The same election year, the state Senate flipped to Democratic control. This was in part due to the loss of a Republican held Senate seat that largely overlapped with the 94th Assembly District. In a year that proved challenging for many Republicans across the state, Byrne won his bid for re-election by a double digit margin.
2020 New York Assembly campaign
In 2020, Byrne was challenged by first time candidate Stephanie Keegan (D), a Somers resident who had recently worked in insurance billing for CareMount Medical.
Keegan ran solely on the Democratic Party Line. Byrne ran on the Republican, Conservative, Independence, Reform, and Rebuild Our State Lines.
The 2020 election produced a record breaking turnout across the country with an unprecedented amount of absentee ballots turned in.
Byrne won with 41,681 votes (62% of the vote), receiving more votes for that Assembly District than any other candidate recorded in history according to the state board of elections website.
2022 Putnam County Executive campaign
In November 2021, Byrne announced his candidacy for the position of County Executive for Putnam County, running under the Republican Party. The incumbent executive at the time, Maryellen Odell, was unable to run for re-election after three consecutive terms due to term limits.
Byrne initially faced fierce opposition from the incumbent establishment within his own political party as Maryellen Odell and the Putnam County Republican Party Chairman Anthony Scannapieco publicly endorsed outgoing county legislator Carl Albano for the post. Other senior party officials from the county appeared to follow suit as the sheriff and numerous other county legislators seemingly backed Albano at his announcement.
Prior to the Putnam County GOP Committee's convention the Conservative Party endorsed Byrne. As it became clear that Byrne was more competitive than initially thought, Scannapieco wrote a series of scathing letters attacking Byrne for his decision to run. The effort by Scannapieco and Odell backfired and Byrne won the convention 148 - 76.
Following the results of the convention, Scannapieco immediately publicly pledged his support for Byrne as the Republican candidate. While there was initial talk of a Republican Primary, it stopped as Albano too pledged he would support Byrne. Surprisingly, no Democratic candidate surfaced to run for the open position.
Byrne won the November election to become the 6th County Executive of Putnam County, NY with 28,621 votes (99% of the total votes cast), more than any candidate for county executive in Putnam County history.
References
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External links
- New York State Assemblyman Kevin M. Byrne official site
Political offices | ||
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Preceded bySteve Katz | New York Assembly, 94th District 2017–present |
Incumbent |