Our Local Roads Are Essential

Assemblywoman Mary Beth Walsh (R,C,I-Ballston) stood with her colleagues from the Assembly and Senate Minority Conferences to urge for increased state funding for our local transportation infrastructure.

In the governor’s proposed 2021-2022 budget, funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) remains at $438 million for the ninth year in a row and eliminates funding for Extreme Winter Recovery.

“Our roads are essential, but we continue to see them deteriorate each year. In order to maintain and repair our roads, we need to work together and advocate for the proper funding that’s so desperately needed,” said Walsh. “Regions throughout New York State, particularly right here in the Capital Region, have seen damaging winter weather. It’s disheartening that despite declaring winter storm warnings and states of emergencies on multiple occasions this year alone, that the governor has once again eliminated funds for Extreme Winter Recovery.

 “I was proud to stand with my colleagues, in a smaller version of our annual CHIPS rally, to once again advocate for our local towns and counties to receive the funding they so desperately need in order to successfully repair our local roads, bridges and culverts.”