DUTCHESS COUNTY, N.Y. -- Senator Terry Gipson says he is looking forward to learning more about Governor Andrew Cuomo's budget, especially when it comes to plans to close a Dutchess County prison.

During his budget address Tuesday, Cuomo called for the closure of the minimum security Beacon Correction Facility, which is more than half empty. The governor says the prison's average annual cost is $69,000 per inmate.

Senator Gipson says he reached out to the Governor's office, labor unions and other organizations that have interest in two prison facilities.

"We are gathering information on that right now, trying to understand what the logic was in wanting the close them. Trying to understand what the impacts are. Once we have all that information, we will take a more clear position," Gipson said.

The facility houses 123 inmates and has roughly 100 employees.