SC New York News

State and local leaders in New York are urging Governor Kathy Hochul and the Democrat-led State Legislature to increase state aid for local roads and bridges in the upcoming 2025-26 state budget. The call comes as joint Senate-Assembly hearings on the governor’s proposed $252-billion budget concluded this week, with final negotiations set to begin in March ahead of an April 1 deadline.

During a news conference at the Town of Big Flats Highway Garage, State Senator Tom O’Mara, Assemblyman Phil Palmesano, Assemblyman Chris Friend, Assemblyman Joe Sempolinski, Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell, Hornell Mayor John Buckley, and other local leaders emphasized the need for stronger investment in transportation infrastructure. They highlighted their opposition to Hochul’s proposal to maintain last year’s funding level for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), which they argue does not account for inflation's impact on construction costs.

In a letter dated February 13, 2025, addressed to Hochul and legislative leaders, nearly 70 Republican legislators wrote: “We once again stress that New York State's direct investment in local roads and bridges through CHIPS remains fundamental. It deserves priority consideration in the final allocation of state infrastructure investment in the budget for the 2025-26 fiscal year.”

The group also expressed concerns about a state mandate requiring all new school bus purchases to be electric by 2027. This mandate could significantly increase road maintenance costs due to heavier electric buses impacting road longevity.

Local roads advocates are calling for several measures including increasing CHIPS base funding by $250 million to $848 million total, consolidating five local road assistance programs into two to reduce administrative burdens, and raising or eliminating the CHIPS bidding threshold from $350,000 to $1 million.

Mayor Dan Mandell of Elmira stated: “CHIPS funding is essential for the City of Elmira to maintain our roads... Without adequate funding, our roads will become dangerous.” Hornell Mayor John Buckley added: “Roads are a non-partisan issue and should be funded appropriately.”

Matt Mustico from NYSAOTSOH stressed: “Strong infrastructure is the backbone of economic growth.” Kelly Fitzpatrick from Steuben County Legislature noted: “New York's local roads and bridges are continually underfunded... We must act now.”

The coalition argues that every dollar invested in CHIPS can save up to $14 in long-term rehabilitation costs while creating thousands of jobs. According to TRIP, deficient or congested roads cost New York motorists an additional $38 billion annually.

Ken Thurston from Schuyler County underscored that local highway departments maintain most of New York’s highways and bridges but receive insufficient support from the state budget.