With under a month to go before the final state budget is due, it is important to remind the governor and my colleagues in the Majority about the importance of funding our local roads. Since the governor rolled out her budget proposal a little over a month ago, the only infrastructure entity she seems to talk about funding is the Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The MTA has been incredibly mismanaged and has hemorrhaged New York taxpayer money. It is about time our upstate infrastructure got some attention, as a matter of fact, infrastructure projects across our state deserve more parity in the doling out of state cash.

The governor’s total budget proposal set yet another record, coming in at $227 billion. Knowing the way things work in Albany, the Majority lawmakers in the Assembly and Senate will drive up that final price tag even higher. That is why it is disappointing to see the governor waste money in her proposal, for instance by increasing the film-tax credit, while failing to adequately increase funding for critical programs like the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), Extreme Winter Recovery (EWR), PAVE-NY, State Touring Routes Program (STR) and Pave Our Potholes (POP). Level funding for these programs is simply not enough during this time of heightened inflation.

While hardworking New Yorkers continue to struggle under persistent inflation that has hovered between 7 and 10%, the construction inflation rate is a whopping 22%. Local governments are strapped for cash, and they are responsible for maintaining nearly 87% of all roads across the state, which is why it is so critical we increase CHIPS base funding by at least $200 million in the final budget. This issue ties into last week’s column regarding the governor’s proposed Medicaid intercept. She can go in front of the cameras all day and say she isn’t raising taxes, but the reality is that taxing entities, such as counties, will be left with no choice but to raise property taxes to make up for losses on both the Medicaid and local road issues.

Another area that could use a large boost in funding is the EWR program. We all know winters in the North Country and Mohawk Valley can get tough, our roadways pay the price each and every day. Constant maintenance is needed so they are safe to travel. Our highway superintendents and their staffs work around the clock to keep us safe.

Without safe and reliable roads, we have nothing. Economic activity comes to a halt, commerce is stopped dead in its tracks, tourism can no longer flourish and our children can’t make their commute into school for an education. Not only do local roads matter, but local roads are essential. Thank your highway superintendent today; I will continue to advocate for increased funding in Albany.

As always, please feel free to reach out to my office at 315-493-3909 or email me at blankenbushk@nyassembly.gov.