Hochul’s move streamlines the prison system and saves the state money. It is not easy, as we learned on the ground at the beginning of the year when the state closed the Gowanda correctional facility. It’s another job provider leaving the counties in need of the higher-paying jobs that a correctional facility can offer. But sometimes prisons have to be closed despite the local pain. Some New York Republicans last week made us scratch our heads with their stance on the proposed closure of six state prisons by Governor Kathy Hochul.
Instead of welcoming the cost reduction, Ortt blew up Hochul’s decision as a punishment for the hard-working correctional officers. The news stinks of proofreaders, but the news would stink of any State Department cut.
Imagine our surprise when Republican Leader Robert Ortt, R-Lockport, took an attitude that frankly makes no sense to a Republican.
Ortt tried to make a political point, but in this case he was actually undermining the Republican Party’s arguments against issuing large Democratic checks to be paid by taxpayers. Ortt just contradicted its members ‘upcoming six months’ worth of speeches in his rush to condemn a Democrat decision that is likely to prove good. If those six prisons were fully occupied to only be half full, Ortt and his Republicans would be safely bobbing up and down that Hochul and the Democrats were only keeping the prisons open as a favor to the unions that represent the labor force.
You can’t have your cake and eat it, Herr Ortt.
Get the latest news and more in your inbox
News highlights business
- Shouldn’t Republicans be in favor of saving public money? | News, sports, jobs
- Check out all the news and articles from the business news updates.
Disclaimer: If you need to update / edit this article please visit our help center.
For the latest updates, follow us on GÖÖGle news
