Kieran Michael Lalor fights for fifth term in State Assembly

NEW YORK STATE — Born in Wappingers Falls and now residing with his wife and four children in Hopewell Junction, Republican Kieran Michael Lalor knows the 105th District of the New York State Assembly well, as it encompasses not only his hometown but the Harlem Valley municipalities of the town of Washington and village of Millbrook, town of Dover and hamlets of Dover Plains and Wingdale, along with much of central and southern Dutchess County, including Pawling and Fishkill.   

Lalor graduated from Providence College, becoming a social studies teacher at Our Lady of Lourdes High School in Poughkeepsie. He enlisted in the Marine Corps Reserve in 2000 and then enrolled in Pace University School of Law. He was called to active duty following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. His unit was demobilized in 2002, but was reactivated in 2003 when he was deployed to Iraq. Lalor completed his military service in 2006 at the rank of corporal. After finishing his service, he returned to Pace Law School and earned his degree in 2007.

Founding Iraq Vets for Congress, he addressed the National Press Club in 2008 on veterans’ behalf. He also ran for a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008, losing that race, but in 2012 he campaigned for a seat in the 105th District in the New York State Assembly and won handily. He has served  four two-year terms since then; he’s now seeking another.

Lalor is a staunch supporter of veterans, as well as of small businesses. He serves as the ranking member of the Assembly Banks Committee and is a member of the Assembly Committee on Government Operations, Real Property Taxation, Small Business and Veterans’ Affairs. He espouses requiring all tax assessing units to participate in the Enhanced School Tax Relief Exemption program, providing more tax relief to homeowners, and has introduced legislation to protect against the outsourcing of jobs by companies receiving taxpayer-funded subsidies.

“Decisions made in Albany over the decades have made every aspect of life, including the cost of necessities, too expensive for hardworking New Yorkers,” said Lalor. “Meanwhile, our state’s anti-business policies are driving small businesses under and job seekers out of the state. The Legislature should lift redundant or unnecessary unfunded mandates on school districts and local governments.

“This added flexibility for local decision-makers will ease the property tax burden,” Lalor added. “We should also end our multi-billion dollar corporate welfare programs that remove the tax burden from a few hand-picked and politically connected corporations. The savings should be used for across-the-board tax relief for all New York taxpayers.”

Lalor sponsored legislation to repeal changes made to the state’s bail process, wherein judges don’t have the ability to set bail for a defendant for dozens of serious offenses, including child sex crimes, animal abuse, certain acts of terrorism and the criminal sale of drugs on school grounds; he helped sponsor a bill that allows parents to opt their children out of standardized testing; and supports safety officers and other practical measures to keep students safe while at school. 

Lalor belongs to a number of civic and community organizations including the Knights of Columbus, Marine Corps League, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and Ancient Order of Hibernians. He also coaches local youth football and baseball.