Assemblyman Scott Gray (R-Watertown) joined his colleagues, industry leaders and highway superintendents from around the state for a press conference calling for increased budgetary funding for local roads, bridges and culverts. The ‘Local Roads are Essential’ advocacy campaign is comprised of the New York state Association of Town Superintendents of Highways and the New York state Association of County Highway Superintendents.

The coalition, along with Gray, is calling for a $200 million increase in base funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement (CHIPS) program along with a $70 million increase for the Emergency Winter Recovery (EWR) program.

“I had the pleasure of speaking with so many of our highway superintendents who have been in Albany this week,” said Gray. “The governor’s current proposal that offers level funding from last year for programs like CHIPS and EWR is insufficient. We must ensure that local governments, which are responsible for 87% of New York roadway care, are adequately funded at the state level. I urge the governor to join us in recognizing that local roads are essential to our everyday life, and we must make sure they are safe for motorists to travel.”