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New York's Licensing Ups and Downs

July 1, 2005

Dutchess County wants to license electriciansor maybe it doesn't. Okay, it doessort of. For more than 5 years, legislators in the New York borough have killed and then resuscitated a proposal that would require electricians to have a master's license or work for someone who does. Supporters of the stop-and-start bill say it would increase safety and weed out while opponents argue legitimate wiremen

Dutchess County wants to license electricians…or maybe it doesn't. Okay, it does…sort of. For more than 5 years, legislators in the New York borough have killed and then resuscitated a proposal that would require electricians to have a master's license or work for someone who does. Supporters of the stop-and-start bill say it would increase safety and weed out “handymen,” while opponents argue legitimate wiremen will be muscled out of the market by big contractors. After a four-year hiatus, County Legislators Bob Clearwater (R) and Bill McCabe (D) reintroduced the bill in January, and it's been an up-and-down ride ever since. The state legislature will decide in January if the county can make the law official — barring another sudden change of heart. (See Timeline).