Auringer Campaign Releases Letter from Local Parent Asking Gardiner Assessor to Review Pat Ryan Veterans Tax Exemption

Kingston, NY - September 29, 2026 - The Jackie Auringer for Congress campaign today released a letter (see below) from a local parent and Ulster County taxpayer asking the Town of Gardiner assessor to review Congressman Pat Ryan’s veterans property-tax exemption amid questions about whether his Gardiner home remains his primary residence.

The letter was written by Kingston resident Robyn Tiano, an Ulster County taxpayer with children in the Kingston City School District. Tiano asks Gardiner Assessor Tim McGowan to review Ryan’s exemption and determine whether he continues to meet its residency requirements.

"Ms. Tiano is right to raise this concern - Pat Ryan refuses to answer basic questions about where he and his family live and why taxpayers are supporting his lifestyle in DC,” said Auringer.

New York’s Alternative Veterans Exemption is limited to qualifying property that serves as the veteran’s primary residence, subject to narrow statutory exceptions. State assessor guidance says the primary-residence determination is made case by case and may consider facts such as where the veteran votes, how much time is spent at each residence, personal property kept there, and other conduct indicating which home is intended to be permanent.

The letter states that Gardiner assessment records show Ryan receives a veterans exemption that includes a $12,400 exemption from his school assessment.

“There are now serious public questions about whether Congressman Ryan and his family actually live primarily in Gardiner or in the Washington, D.C. area,” Tiano wrote.

Tiano’s letter also points to reporting that Ryan has received more than $60,000 in taxpayer-funded reimbursements for lodging in Washington since 2023 and says Ryan declined to answer questions about whether his children attend school in the Washington area.

The Alternative Veterans Exemption itself applies only to the veteran’s primary residence and that residency must be evaluated from the underlying facts.

“If Congressman Ryan and his family live in Gardiner as their primary residence, then he should continue to receive every exemption for which he qualifies,” Tiano wrote. “But if his wife and children actually live in Washington and his children attend school there, I don't understand how taxpayers can be expected to give him a property tax break here based on Gardiner being his primary residence while also reimbursing him for housing in Washington.”

Tiano asked the assessor to review Ryan’s eligibility and report what his investigation determines.

“As an Ulster County resident and taxpayer, I believe we should be able to trust that property tax exemptions are being given only to people who continue to qualify for them,” Tiano wrote.

“Hudson Valley families shouldn’t have to underwrite a tax break so Pat Ryan can have a crash pad in Gardiner - Washington, D.C. is his primary residence. We look forward to hearing the assessor’s findings," said Auringer.

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