Assemblymember Gallahan Calls For Increase in CHIPS Funding in State Budget

New York State Assemblymember Jeff Gallahan (AD-131) joined with highway superintendents, crews, and advocates, along with his fellow lawmakers in a call for an increase in state funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) for this year’s budget.

Gallahan says CHIPS funding provides critical support for local municipalities across the state on maintaining thousands of miles of local roads and bridges.

“Taking care of our roads is one of the most basic functions of government,” said Gallahan. “From getting food and medicine to traveling to work or school, safe and reliable roads are essential to everyday life in our communities.”

He continued on to say well-maintained roads help support tourism, which is vital for local businesses in the Finger Lakes region. This leads to the creation of local jobs and municipal tax bases across the region.

“Here in the Finger Lakes, tourism generates millions of dollars each year for our counties and local towns,” Gallahan said. “That economic activity depends on visitors being able to travel safely on well-maintained roads and bridges.”

According to Gallahan, Governor Hochul’s proposed budget allocates $648 million for CHIPS that would be divided among every town in the 62 counties in the state; downstate transit and the New York subway system will receive $4.5 billion.

“This is taxpayer money, and Upstate communities deserve to see more of it invested back into our local roads and infrastructure.”

Gallahan says highway superintendents that joined the rally at the State Capital Building emphasized the importance of increasing CHIPS funding, which will keep pace with rising costs for materials, equipment, and labor.

“As budget negotiations continue, it’s important that the governor and legislative leaders recognize the critical role local highway departments play in keeping our communities moving,” Gallahan said. “Standing with our local highway superintendents today sends a clear message, our communities need stronger support to maintain the roads that keep the economy of not just New York, but our country moving.”