GLENS FALLS — State Sen. Dan Stec (R-Queensbury), who is running unopposed for re-election, said one of his top priorities in his next term will be convincing the state to demolish the former Camp Gabriels Correctional Facility buildings at Brighton, in Franklin County.
The buildings, vacant since the state closed the minimum-security facility in 2009, have deteriorated to a point where it is not feasible to reuse them, Stec said, in a recent telephone interview.
“I want the state to put money into demolishing Gabriels. … It’s something the state needs to do,” he said.
Early on, there were several proposals from private developers to purchase the property and redevelop it.
But developers could not get clear title to the land because the correctional facility is on state Forest Preserve land.
For the past decade, Stec and former State Sen. Elizabeth Little (R-Queensbury), have introduced legislation each two-year session for a constitutional amendment to allow the state to sell the Camp Gabriels property and use the proceeds to buy additional state Forest Preserve land.
The legislation has passed the Senate twice, most recently unanimously on May 22, but has not passed the Assembly.
A constitutional amendment must be approved in two consecutive sessions of the Legislature before being put up for statewide referendum, making 2027 the earliest a referendum could be passed.
Stec said the correctional facility buildings have deteriorated to the point that it is not safe to wait that long to save the structures.
Stec said Camp Gabriels is emblematic of the state’s failure to reuse closed correctional facilities.
He said he understands the state has a shortage of correction officers, but facilities are being closed without proper analysis.
“It’s very easy to just turn the key and walk away,” he said.
‘IT’S ALL FLUFF’
Stec said a state Prison Redevelopment Commission report on reuse of closed correctional facilities in 2022 was insufficient.
“It’s almost like it was generated by AI,” Stec said. “It’s all fluff – generalities.”
Stec said a detailed reuse plan and an estimate of the cost of demolishing buildings should be required before a correctional facility is closed.
A two-term incumbent, Stec represents the 45th Senate District, which includes all of Clinton, Franklin, Essex and Warren counties and portions of St. Lawrence and Washington counties.
This is the first time he has run unopposed.
Stec said his priorities for a third term are primarily the same as this session.
“A lot of it is a continuation of our priorities we made and more needs to be done,” he said.
Stec said he is concerned about how much the state is spending on services for undocumented immigrants.
“People don’t realize how big the problem is now,” he said.
GREEN LIGHT LAW
Stec said he will continue to push for legislation he introduced this session and in the previous session to repeal counties that are contiguous the Canadian border from the state’s so-called “Green Light Law.”
The law enacted in 2019 allows using foreign-issued documents to obtain non-commercial New York driver’s licenses, whether an immigrant is documented or not.
The law also prohibits federal border officials from access to the DMV database.
The purpose of the law was to improve road safety and make sure drivers had proper training.
Stec said it does not make sense for federal border officials not to have access to the DMV database.
NURSING HOMES
Another priority is making sure that nursing homes and assisted living facilities are solvent.
United Helpers, the only assisted living facility in St. Lawrence County, closed in May, due to operating deficits and a staffing shortage, Stec said.
Stec said recent increases in state Medicaid rates, after 15 years with no cost-of-living adjustments, have not been sufficient.
“We are on the precipice of an absolute crisis,” he said.
Stec said Medicaid payments to nursing home and assisted living facilities could be increased, without raising taxes, by redirecting a portion of funding now used to assist undocumented immigrants.
“It’s all about prioritizing,” he said.
Stec said improving cell phone and broad band access will continue to be a priority.
“It’s better than it used to be, but it’s still inadequate,” he said.
Reliable cell phone service has become increasingly important for reporting emergencies, as 67% of Adirondack Park residents do not have a land line, he said.
Making certain that rural schools receive a fair share of state education funding is another priority.
CONSERVATIVE BONA FIDES
Stec recently received a 100% score on the New York Conservative Party report card, based on his voting record in 2024.
Stec said he typically scores high on the annual score card, but this is the first time he has received a perfect score.
“I’m usually in the 85% to 90% range,” he said. “The bills that they rate, they are easy bills for me to vote on. I’m a right-of-center Republican.”