ALBANY, NY (Erie News Now)--“LOCAL ROADS ARE ESSENTIAL” READS THE BRIGHT ORANGE SHIRTS HUNDREDS OF ADVOCATES WEAR Wednesday IN ALBANY WHILE THEY RALLY FOR MORE MONEY IN THE STATE BUDGET FOR LOCAL ROADS AND BRIDGE PROGRAMS.  

“With present inflation and funding shortfalls we will be falling behind,” said Jeff Smith, Tompkins County Highway Director.

THE GOVERNOR’S EXECUTIVE TRANSPORTATION BUDGET PROPOSES $577 MILLION FOR THE CONSOLIDATED HIGHWAY IMPROVEMENT PROGRAM OR CHIPS.

THAT REPRESENTS A $60 MILLION CUT FROM LAST YEAR’S FINAL BUDGET.    

EVERY MUNICIPALITY IN THE STATE receives CHIPS FUNDING— AND SOME LOCAL ADVOCATES SAid MANY MUNICIPALITIES RELY ON IT EVERY YEAR TO HELP MAINTAIN THEIR ROADS.

“We use it for our roads because of our equipment our local budgets go towards our equipment. A new truck now is over three hundred thousand dollars it takes two years to get it. We have pickup trucks we have to get, heavy equipment,” said Matt Mustico, Elmira Highway Superintendent.

LAWMAKERS FROM BOTH SIDES OF THE aisle ARE PUSHING TO RESTORE THE $60 MILLION CUT BUT DIFFER IN THEIR ASK FOR INCREASES.  

DEMOCRATS ARE ASKING FOR A $100 MILLION INCREASE.  

“It’s about money. We’ll take care of the safety—you guys and gals can do the work. I know that, but you can’t do it if you don’t have the money backing you up,” said Assembly Member William Magnarelli (D-Assembly District 129).

FOR THEIR PART– REPUBLICANS ARE ASKING FOR A $200 MILLION INCREASE.  

“And again, it’s critical funding because there are some communities that solely rely on the CHIPS to fix their roads, bridges, and culverts. So, a ten percent cut to this funding would be devastating to public safety, devastating to our local road, bridge, and culvert work that needs to be done to keep our communities safe,” said Assembly Member Phil Palmesano (R-Corning). 

LAWMAKERS ARE PLANNING TO UNVEIL THEIR BUDGET PROPOSALS NEXT WEEK BEFORE NEGOTIATIONS START.  

THE FINAL BUDGET IS DUE APRIL 1.