POUGHKEEPSIE – Governor David Paterson has signed legislation giving the Dutchess County Legislature the go ahead to vote on establishing an electrical licensing law.

Lawmakers support creation of the law citing the existence of similar laws in Putnam, Westchester, Rockland, and Greene counties.

Dutchess Legislature Chairman Roger Higgins said he anticipates the proposal could be upheld.

 There are enough votes in the lawmaking body to adopt the local law and he is hopeful enough can be garnered to override an anticipated veto by County Executive William Steinhaus.

If adopted, the new law would preempt electrical licensing laws already in place in the cities of Poughkeepsie and Beacon.

The measure will come before Dutchess lawmakers for a vote in the fall, said Higgins.