State Rep. Scott Gray
Recent News About State Rep. Scott Gray
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Assembly examines college capital funding challenges
The New York State Assembly Higher Education Committee recently convened to address the capital funding needs of higher education institutions in the state, including SUNY, CUNY, and independent private colleges.
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Library construction funding announced for 116th Assembly District
Assemblyman Scott Gray has announced funding for public libraries in the 116th Assembly District through the New York State Education Department’s State Aid for Library Construction program.
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Assemblyman Gray hosts 'Day on The Water' honoring disability support organizations
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) hosted a "Day on the Water" event today to celebrate individuals with special needs and recognize the vital contributions of Jefferson and St. Lawrence ARC, DPAO, and NRCIL in their daily lives. These organizations play a crucial role in enriching the lives of individuals with disabilities and making a lasting, positive impact on the community.
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75K grant awarded for new water rescue team in waddingtion
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) announced a significant investment in local emergency services on Saturday, Aug. 3. The Waddington Fire Department has been awarded a $75,000 grant through the State and Municipal Facilities Program (SAM). This funding will be dedicated to establishing a water rescue and dive team for the department, enhancing safety and emergency response in the Waddington section of the St. Lawrence River and beyond.
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Scott Gray unveils strategy to support North Country prisons
Assemblymember Scott Gray (R-Watertown) unveiled a comprehensive strategy today aimed at bolstering support for prison facilities in the North Country. The new approach emphasizes active recruitment, promoting the high standards of existing facilities, and opposing any further rounds of potential closures.
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New York announces closure of two correctional facilities
This morning, the New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision (DOCCS) announced the closure of Great Meadow Correctional Facility and Sullivan Correctional Facility within the next 90 days. Northern New York facilities have not been affected in this round of closures.
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Assemblyman Gray supports Watertown Correctional Facility repurpose plan
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) has expressed his support for the proposed repurposing plan of the Watertown Correctional Facility. Gray emphasized the importance of responsible management of state-owned properties, stating, "The stewardship of state-owned properties has been a top issue for my office during my time in the Assembly, whether it’s the decommissioned prisons, the psych center or SUNY campuses, we need to be good stewards of state-owned properties, and we need to make sure they’re repurposed at their highest use."
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Assemblymember Scott Gray urges action on high cost of living in New York
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) today highlighted the urgent need for legislative and community action to address the high cost of living in New York state. According to a report, a family of four with two working adults taking care of two children in New York requires an annual income of $139,000 to maintain a comfortable standard of living. This figure is based on the cost of necessities such as housing and utilities, combined with discretionary spending and savings, as calculated by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Living Wage Calculator. With only one parent...
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Assemblyman Scott Gray reviews legislative session outcomes
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) released the latest episode of “The Gray Area” video series. In this week’s episode, Gray highlights the passage and implications of key bills, such as those addressing social media algorithms targeted at children and the contentious Climate Change Superfund Act. Gray also reflects on significant proposals that did not pass, including the New York HEAT Act and the Bigger Better Bottle Bill, stressing their potential impacts on the local economy and community.
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Legislation seeks regulation and transparency in short-term rental market
The short-term rental (STR) lodging market has evolved significantly in recent years, transitioning from a sporadic presence to a substantial marketplace. This observation comes from an official who traveled to various tourism locations last year to better understand the industry. The official is the ranking Minority member on the committee for Tourism, Parks, Arts and Sports Development in the Assembly.
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Assemblyman Scott Gray discusses key bills impacting North Country
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) released the latest episode of his video series, “The Gray Area,” highlighting a "busy week" in Albany and discussing several legislative activities. Gray focused on two bills that were passed and their impacts on the North Country, as well as two pending bills and their potential effects.
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Assemblyman Scott Gray discusses Fort Drum's economic impact and SUNY bill
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R,C-Watertown) recently released the latest episode of his video series, "The Gray Area". In this installment, Gray delves into the economic and strategic significance of Fort Drum and discusses his SUNY bill, the SUNY Excess Building Asset Inventory and Repurposing Act (SEBAIRA). Amid financial challenges for SUNY institutions, Gray's legislation aims to ensure optimal efficiency by mandating SUNY campuses assess all assets and identify surplus buildings for potential repurposing or cost assumption by SUNY. However, the bill was held in the Higher...
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The Beginning of The Budget Process Starts with a Jekyll and Hyde Approach
An unidentified individual expressed deep concern following the deliberation on the public protections and general government budget bill. They highlighted both positive aspects, such as retail theft provisions and minor Tier 6 reform, as well as significant drawbacks, specifically the inclusion of five correctional facility closures without clarity on the affected facilities. The speaker criticized the lack of transparency regarding the closures and emphasized the negative impact on corrections officers and local communities.The individual stated, "I cannot support a...
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'The Gray Area' Addresses Tumultuous Week of Voting, Public Policy Worsening Squatting Issue
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R,C-Watertown) released the latest episode of “The Gray Area” video series addressing the tumultuous week of voting and public policy issues. Gray expressed disappointment at the back and forth movement of legislators between Albany and their districts to pass budget extenders, stating, "This week has been a yo-yo week for legislators as we have been called to convene in Albany on Sunday, Tuesday and Friday to take votes. It’s disappointing that instead of staying in Albany to get work done, we are spending taxpayer dollars to extend and delay this...
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Gray Comments on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Supplemental Environmental Assessment Public Scoping Plan
Amidst concerns over the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Supplemental Environmental Assessment Public Scoping Plan, Representative Gray has voiced his reservations and called for increased transparency and community engagement in the process.Gray commended Sen. Chuck Schumer for his efforts, stating, "I commend Sen. Chuck Schumer for his stance against this so-called ‘stealth plan’ and his efforts to ensure our voices are heard. It’s essential our federal agencies operate not in secrecy, but with full transparency and accountability to the people they serve."...
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'The Gray Area' Discusses Lack of a Final State Budget, Ad Nauseam Debate of Meaningless Bills
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R,C-Watertown) addressed the ongoing issues surrounding the New York state budget and the repetitive debates on long-standing bills in the latest episode of “The Gray Area” video series. Gray expressed frustration over the delay in finalizing the budget, stating, “Here we are first week of April, still no budget with no anticipation it will be completed next week. In the meantime, we are debating bills ad nauseum that have been around for years—we’ve debated bills this week that have a shelf life of 27 years, 12 years and 16 years. It’s frustrating...
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'The Gray Area' Discusses Measures Against Squatting, NYS Budget Delay
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) released the latest episode of “The Gray Area” video series, discussing relevant topics in New York state. In the video, Gray introduced a new bill aimed at addressing squatting-related incidents across the state. Gray stated, “This week, the Assembly Minority Conference introduced bill A.6894, which redefines what constitutes a tenant, effectively stripping squatters of their tenant status. By criminalizing squatting as trespassing, the bill empowers land and property owners to reclaim their rightful ownership and remove those who...
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Gray: Landlord Rights Must Be Reformed Following Increase in Squatting Incidents
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) joined his Assembly colleagues at a press conference today in the New York State Capitol with landlords and small property owners to address alarming squatting-related incidents and necessary fixes to the state’s property laws, including legislation that would protect homeowners by clarifying the term “tenant” to exclude squatters.Last week, Nadia Vitels—a woman traveling from Spain to prepare a Manhattan apartment owned by her late mother—was brutally beaten to death by two “squatters” who left her body in a duffel bag, according to...
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'The Gray Area' Discusses Constitutional Convention Recission, Loss of the People's Power
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) released the latest episode of “The Gray Area” video series, addressing various important topics in New York state politics. Gray discussed the state's decision to rescind the call for a Constitutional Convention, emphasizing the significance of empowering the people in such processes. He stated, "A Constitutional Convention empowers the people—when we rescind it, we’re really taking power away from the people, which is concerning. I voted down on this because I believe in empowering the people."In addition to the discussion on the...
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Gray Congratulates Hammond Girls’ Team, Commends Local Teams’ Remarkable Performance in State Title Games
Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) extended his congratulations to the Hammond girls’ basketball team and commended the local teams for their remarkable performance in the state title games held on Sunday, March 17. The Hammond Red Devils secured their second consecutive New York State Public High School Athletic Association (NYSPHSAA) Girls’ Class D basketball championship with a decisive 54-34 victory over Northville at Hudson Valley Community College.Gray expressed his admiration for the Hammond team, stating, "Congratulations to the Hammond girls’ basketball team on...