Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) released a new episode of his podcast, “The Gray Area,” where he discussed key points from this year’s state budget and expressed concerns over proposed legislation.
“We passed ten budget bills, and while I was a split vote on some, there were several positive outcomes for the North Country,” said Gray. He highlighted that the budget made significant investments in the region.
Gray voiced apprehensions about a proposed bill requiring gas and electric utilities to return any earnings above their authorized rate of return to customers as credits. He argued that while it may provide short-term savings, it could lead to increased rates in the long run. “This kind of legislation discourages efficient operations, increases financing costs and ultimately raises your utility rates. Short-term patches such as this will not make utilities more affordable down the line.”
He concluded with an invitation for listeners to tune into future episodes for more updates and encouraged constituents to reach out with questions or concerns. “Look out for next week’s episode of The Gray Area as we continue to update you on what you care about. We always appreciate the opportunity to serve you and to work with you. Don’t hesitate to call my office staff with questions, comments or concerns—see you soon,” Gray concluded.
