Legislator, District 6 (D)· 2026-01-01–2028-12-31 (four-year term, Rensselaer County Charter § 2.02; term begins January 1 after the November 2025 election, N.Y. Public Officers Law § 4, 1, and ends December 31, 2028 because 2025 terms were shortened to three years by the state even-year election law , BallotReady lists the seats as held until December 31, 2028; organizational meeting and oaths January 7, 2026 per county Certified Packet 1; start shown is the current-term start, earlier service is not sourced)
Lark Barnett Rutecki
Rensselaer County
No biography on file yet.
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Top issues during term (20)(General)
Axon Enterprise Legal Software Contract
Procures cloud-based legal software services through state contract pricing.
immigration policy
County taxpayers could face potential legal expenses and litigation costs stemming from community pushback and civil rights challenges over the enforcement policy.
Kratom sales ban (Local Law T-4)
Enforcement falls on the Health Department and local police; no cost estimate was given.
Bridge Replacement and Highway Infrastructure Projects
Reimbursement structure means the county may recover costs; total project cost not stated.
Proposed County Kratom Ban
Retailers found in violation face civil penalties of up to $500 per confiscated item for initial offenses and up to $1,000 for subsequent violations.
law enforcement policy
If the state decides to withhold funding over this standoff, local taxpayers could end up footing the bill.
ICE jail agreement
County taxpayers could see continued federal funding and detainee housing stipends, but they might also shoulder potential legal defense costs tied to civil rights challenges.
lawsuit over ICE agreement
County taxpayers could end up footing a massive legal bill depending on how this costly courtroom battle plays out.
lawsuit against sheriff
Taxpayers could end up footing the bill for costly legal defense fees if the county decides to fight the lawsuit in court.
lawsuit
County taxpayers could end up footing a hefty legal bill as this state-versus-local courtroom battle drags on.
ICE and 287(g) transparency resolutions killed in committee
No immediate cost changes, though future legal or operational expenses could pop up depending on what the county eventually decides.
ICE cooperation law
Taxpayers could end up footing a hefty legal bill as the county fights these subpoenas in court.
lawsuit against state policy
County taxpayers could end up footing a hefty legal bill as this courtroom battle against the state plays out.
lead paint remediation
It's totally free for qualifying homeowners, funded entirely by federal grant dollars.
public health ban
Local businesses lose a revenue stream from pulling a popular product, and the county avoids potential public health costs down the road.
immigration policy litigation
Local taxpayers are on the hook to foot the bill for mounting legal fees as this state-versus-county showdown plays out in court.
lawsuit against state
County taxpayers could end up footing a hefty legal bill to fund this ongoing courtroom battle against the state.
ICE partnership
County taxpayers could end up footing the bill for expensive, prolonged legal battles against the state.
immigration policy challenge
County taxpayers could face heavy legal bills to fund this ongoing court battle against the state.
law enforcement and immigration
County taxpayers could end up footing the bill for pricey legal battles against the state.
Decisions during term (0)
Recorded while Rutecki was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
No decisions found matching General.
Voting record (0)(General)
No votes found matching General.