Assemblyman Hawley stands with Western New York highway superintendents at a rally in Albany on Wednesday, March 4.
In light of years of stagnant investment in the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) and a proposed elimination of $65 million in Extreme Winter Recovery funds by Governor Cuomo, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) rallied in Albany on March 4 with highway superintendents from around the state calling for infrastructure investment parity.
For several years, CHIPS funding has been held at $438.1 million statewide despite billions of dollars in increases to fund the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and repair downstate bridges. This funding is used to repair and pave streets and highways. Furthermore, Governor Cuomo has proposed cutting $65 million in Extreme Winter Recovery funds, which are used by areas experiencing harsh winters to speed up recovery and repair processes.
“Millions of upstate residents, emergency services vehicles, farmers and manufacturers use our roads each day and their safety and quality of life matter just as much as a subway patron. We are seeking a $100 million increase to CHIPS and a restoration of the $65 million Extreme Winter Recovery fund – a small and reasonable step toward parity in a budget totaling over $175 billion. I will continue fighting to see that upstate gets its fair share this year.” Hawley said.
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