Gray Area: Health Care Win, Fort Drum Tribute, and Budget Talks Continue
With the state budget still unfinished and a 10th extender now passed, Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) used this week’s Gray Area to highlight a $60 million financing package stabilizing the North Star Health Alliance, a floor debate over a utility outage reporting and the annual tribute to Fort Drum and the 10th Mountain Division during Fort Drum Day at the Capitol.
The $60 million loan from the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York moves the North Star Health Alliance from a state of crisis to a more stable future for the local community. Gray said the Alliance is tied to a number of services critical to rural health care in the North Country, including Carthage Area Hospital, Meadowbrook Terrace Assisted Living Facility, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center, the cancer treatment center, the renal center, and several outpost clinics. All of these facilities play a critical role in the region’s health care, illustrating how important this loan is for local communities.
On the Assembly floor, Gray debated a bill that would require private and municipal utility providers to maintain a 24/7 staffed telephone line for customers to report service outages. While the bill may seem helpful to consumers, Gray said the staffing requirement would be a major expense ultimately borne by ratepayers. He called it another example of “death by a 1,000 cuts,” explaining how these small programs add up, making it harder to keep costs while providing little benefit.
Fort Drum Day brought Maj. Gen. Scott Naumann and Garrison Commander Col. Jason Adler to the Capitol for a series of meetings honoring the 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum’s role in the nation’s defense and the North Country.
Gray also met with several organizations during the week, including the New York State Craft Brewers, the New York State Psychological Association, the New York State American Academy of Pediatrics, Independent Power Producers of New York, the New York State Solar nad the Energy Industries Association. He attended a meeting on greenhouse gas accounting changes tied to the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act and a 250th-anniversary event recognizing the North Country’s role in the nation’s founding. Gray then also attended the 2026 New York State Police Memorial Remembrance Ceremony at the Empire State Plaza, honoring officers who have died in the line of duty and the families they leave behind.
Looking ahead, Gray’s schedule includes the Jefferson Youth Advisory Awards, the ANCA Energy Conference in Lake Placid, commencement ceremonies at SUNY Canton and Clarkson University and the VFW 100th Anniversary reception, before returning to Albany for continued budget work. As always, Gray said, “It is an honor and a privilege to serve. Please reach out to my office with any questions.”