POUGHKEEPSIE – Dutchess County Legislator John Forman of Beacon has filed a resolution requiring members of the County Legislature to contribute 15 percent of their health insurance premiums back to the county.

“As part-time employees of Dutchess County, we are very fortunate to even be offered a benefit such as health insurance,” Forman said. “It’s time to take action.”

He would hope his idea would be embraced by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

“This should not be a partisan issue. This is the right issue for the taxpayers. There’s no political football here,” he said. “If the majority wants to turn it into a political football, they can. But, it’s not and its intention is to reach into our pockets and contribute. We are part-time employees and we need to do our share.”

Forman said he hopes local municipalities will follow suit with their own local laws to save taxpayers some money.

Forman’s proposal, cosponsored by fellow Republican Robert Sears of LaGrange, will be on the November committee agenda for discussion.