Assemblyman Josh Jensen (R,C-Greece), Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C-Batavia), and local town supervisors and highway superintendents held a press conference in Ogden on February 22 to highlight their opposition to Governor Hochul’s slashing of local transportation aid, particularly a proposed $60 million cut for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), the state’s primary source of funding for local roads, bridges and culverts.
The group argued local roads and bridges must be the foundation for any state infrastructure plan moving forward. Local roads and bridges account for 87 percent of New York state roads, and more than half of its bridges. Additionally, 48 of the vehicle miles traveled in New York are on local roads, yet less than 12 percent of the taxes and fees paid to the state by these drivers go toward the maintenance and upkeep of these crucial roadways.
They also argued that investing in local road infrastructure not only spurs economic growth by facilitating smoother transportation of goods and services but also attracts investments and generates job opportunities. Conversely, neglecting funding for local roads can result in deteriorating infrastructure, heightened traffic congestion, increased maintenance costs and compromised safety.
Hawley, Jensen, and their colleagues are calling on state lawmakers to increase funding for the CHIPS program by $160 million to a total of $698.1 million annually to help boost the quality of transportation infrastructure across the state. They believe this proposal will help to improve road conditions for residents of Western New York and ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently and effectively.
Jensen said, “I extend my gratitude to everyone who joined us today to advocate for increased funding for our local roads. With the escalating costs of infrastructure projects, every dollar becomes crucial. We have all pledged to prioritize the safety of our residents, and it’s important our state government supports this mission.”
“Local roads are the foundation of our infrastructure here in New York state,” said Hawley. “Despite this, however, the governor has year in and year out neglected to give these vital roadways the funds they need for basic upkeep and maintenance in the state budget. I’ve talked to numerous highway superintendents and board members over the years, and they all tell me the same thing: we need more funding for our local roads. Without an increase in programs like CHIPS, these roadways will deteriorate due to the rising costs of materials and repairs. This is completely unacceptable. If these were downstate roads we were talking about, we would have no problem getting these funds. Gov. Hochul needs to remember her Western New York roots and give upstate roads the attention and funding they deserve.”
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