Albany, NY – Assemblyman Brian Miller (R,C-New Hartford), the Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Committee on Transportation, participated in today’s joint Assembly and Senate Transportation Budget Hearing, where he raised key questions about infrastructure funding, electric vehicle policies, road maintenance, public transportation systems and safety in New York State.

“As we assess our transportation funding priorities, we must ensure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” said Miller. “New Yorkers deserve a funding plan that prioritizes essential infrastructure while maintaining fiscal responsibility.”

Miller emphasized the vital role of the CHIPS program in supporting local roads. However, in his questioning, there were concerns that certain budgetary items had no increase in allocation this year to keep up with inflation.

“CHIPS funding is the backbone of our local infrastructure, yet we are struggling just to keep up with worsening road conditions,” Miller stated. “At the current funding level, we are simply treading water, not improving our roads as our communities deserve.”

Miller also underscored the importance of the budget hearings as a platform to hold state agencies accountable and advocate for the needs of residents. “These hearings provide a valuable opportunity to ask tough questions and ensure that our constituents’ needs are being met,” Miller said. “I appreciate Commissioner Dominguez, Executive Director Frank Hoare and the panelists for their time and insight to key projects around New York State. I also commend the State DOT and Thruway Authority for the use of technology to prioritize safety for our workers.”