Assemblymember Phil Steck (D-Colonie) announced that he helped pass the Assembly’s 2018-19 state budget proposal which includes important investments in infrastructure, including substantial increases in funding dedicated to fixing our roads and bridges.

“We’ve seen a tough winter that has left many of our local roads severely damaged, posing a risk to our safety and the safety of our families,” said Steck. “This budget proposal includes significant funding to fix our debilitated roads and keep us safer, while also creating jobs.”

The Assembly’s proposed budget includes $519 million for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), an increase of $81 million over the executive budget proposal. This program allocates funding to communities allowing them to repair their roads, therefore increasing driver safety and ensuring businesses can get their products to their customers. Additionally, the Assembly’s proposal includes an additional $100 million for the PAVE NY Program for highway resurfacing and reconstruction projects.

“Infrastructure is an incredibly important aspect of our economy,” added Steck. “In addition to creating jobs, investments in infrastructure help attract businesses and revitalize communities.”

Steck has long been an advocate for increasing funding for infrastructure projects. Earlier this year, he introduced legislation that would raise $14 billion in infrastructure funding by reinstating the stock transfer tax, which New York had from 1905 to 1981, a tax that would mostly impact non-New Yorkers (A.9666).

“There is clearly more we must do on this issue, but this budget proposal has some good things in it,” said Steck. “Infrastructure funding is such a critical aspect of our economy, and these types of investments benefit us all. We’ve made some progress in a difficult budget year, but more transformative commitments on this issue are needed.”