Assemblyman Bill Reilich (R,C,I-Greece) (right) today called on Gov. Andrew Cuomo and legislative leaders to agree on the 2013-14 State Budget, and pushed for an increase in funding for the Consolidated Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs). CHIPs is a funding source for local highway and infrastructure improvements. Reilich sits on the Transportation Budget Committee.
“This increased funding is vital for the improvement of local roads, bridges and highway systems that businesses and taxpayers use on a daily basis,” said Reilich. “Gov. Cuomo and the legislative leaders must provide funding to create local jobs and boost local economic growth. In order to have growth, we must have a safe and efficient infrastructure. The governor has said that economic development is important for revitalizing New York State; well, it starts with proper funding for local roads and highways.”
In the governor’s proposed budget, $363.1 million in CHIPs funding was included – the same funding level as in previous years. Earlier this month, lawmakers and local highway and road officials called for a CHIPs funding increase of $100 million, from $363.1 million to $463.1 million. A report from state Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli recently concluded that 32 percent of local bridges are deficient and 40 percent of local roads are in fair to poor or worse condition.