Statement By Senator Steve Saland

Today, the Senate passed its one house budget in preparation for negotiations with the Assembly. Our budget amends Corrections Law to provide that the Governor must give 24 months notice of the closure of a correctional facility instead of the current 12 months notice. The amendments also require the Governor to provide an adaptive reuse plan for the facility at the same time as the notice of closure -- current law provides that the reuse plan be submitted six months prior to closure. These amendments would be effective retroactively to January 1, 2008 and would, therefore, apply to the proposed closure of the Hudson Correctional Facility.

Additionally, the Senate’s budget contains $5 million for full and continued operations of the Hudson Correctional Facility.

I promised the people of the City of Hudson and Columbia County that I would fight the closure and that is what I have done. I am most gratified by the letters and e-mails of support and encouragement I have received regarding my efforts.