Assemblyman Brian Miller (R,I,C,Ref-New Hartford) rallied for increased state funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) today in Albany. Miller was joined by lawmakers and dozens of highway superintendents from across the state in calling for an increase to the program’s funding, which has remained flat in state budgets since 2013.

“Downstate we have seen the governor make substantial investments in infrastructure from the new Tappan Zee bridge to a new Penn Station. However, the rest of the state is crumbling, which accounts for 87 percent of roads and bridges in our state. It is high time the state budget reflects a commitment to the millions of New Yorkers north of the Tappan Zee. Let’s help local governments improve the safety of the roads and bridges upstate New Yorkers travel daily,” said Miller.

The lawmakers are calling for a $150 million increase to CHIPS, along with a restoration of the $65 million for the Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR) program which was eliminated in the governor’s proposed budget. Furthermore, the coalition would like to continue the $100 million annual PAVE-NY program to rehabilitate deteriorating roads across the state.

Earlier this session, Miller joined colleagues from the Assembly Minority Conference to unveil the recommendations of their Task Force on Critical Infrastructure and Transportation. In addition to the increased funding for CHIPS, EWR and PAVE-NY, the lawmakers proposed expanding BRIDGE NY and the Clean Water Investment Act, and creating a new program to help localities improve the condition of their water systems. The task force proposed funding these programs through existing gasoline taxes and transportation-related fees so that no additional cost would be added to taxpayers. The report was sent to the governor and all legislative conferences in the hopes that some of the recommendations, if not all, would be included in this year’s budget.

Miller said, “We are talking about a $170 billion state budget. There is plenty of money – it’s about priorities. The governor and legislative leaders have every opportunity to make sure our roads and bridges are properly funded.”