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Steve McLaughlin, Rensselaer County Executive, will deliver the 2026 State of the County address today (March 11) at 5:30 p.m. at the East Greenbush-Rensselaer Senior Center. The address is set to highlight eight years of county achievements and lay out future goals for residents and businesses in Rensselaer County.
The speech will take place at the modern senior center at 6 Ridge Road, which opened in late 2024 as part of the Reimagine Rensselaer County Facilities project. This initiative also included new county offices, renovations in Troy, four new senior centers, and additional county facilities, all aimed at enhancing public services and efficiency. According to county officials, these improvements have been paired with substantial tax relief and infrastructure upgrades.
Under McLaughlin’s leadership, the county property tax rate has dropped by over 49 percent across eight consecutive years. In the same period, the entire 330-mile county road network was paved, and social service offices were moved from rented to county-owned spaces, cutting costs and improving accessibility. As stated by McLaughlin, the county "has become recognized as a statewide leader in reducing county property taxes and improving needed county services."
Rensselaer County has also seen steady economic growth. According to official reports, sales tax revenues increased by 5.29 percent in 2025 compared to the previous year, reaching $131.9 million. This growth helps fund services and keeps property taxes stable for residents.
During the address, McLaughlin is expected to discuss the county's progress and outline further priorities for 2026 and beyond. He stated, "Our county is poised for unprecedented success and we cannot wait to get started and reach new heights." The event will focus both on recent accomplishments and on the work still ahead to maintain growth and high-quality public services, as detailed in local news coverage.
The State of the County address is open to the public and will be held at the East Greenbush-Rensselaer Senior Center, 6 Ridge Road, East Greenbush.