Assemblyman Scott Bendett (R,C-Sand Lake) attended yesterday’s Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Transportation, where he expressed deep concern over the absence of an increase in Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding in this year’s executive budget proposal.

“As our local roads and bridges continue to deteriorate, it is unacceptable that this year’s budget once again fails to provide an increase in CHIPS funding,” said Bendett. “Upstate communities and local governments rely on this critical funding to repair and maintain their infrastructure, yet Albany continues to neglect their needs.”

With inflation driving up material costs, local governments are being forced to do more with less. Yet, the executive budget refuses to provide any additional funding for CHIPS, the primary program towns and counties depend on for road repairs.

“Every year, we hear the same excuses while our local roads get worse,” Bendett continued. “Enough is enough. Our state budget needs to stop treating upstate like an afterthought and start prioritizing the infrastructure we all depend on. We are all New Yorkers, and the governor needs to start acting like it.”

Bendett vowed to keep fighting for a CHIPS funding increase, making it clear that New York’s budget must work for all communities, not just New York City.

*CLICK HERE FOR A VIDEO OF ASSEMBLYMAN SCOTT BENDETT SPEAKING AT THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE BUDGET HEARING*