Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square) today joined his colleagues and members of highway crews from across the state to call for an additional $150 million in funding for the state’s Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) as well as an increase in the PAVE-NY program. CHIPS funding has been stagnant in recent state budgets despite being a major revenue stream for localities to make routine repairs such as filling pot holes and repaving roads and highways.

“This is one of those issues that directly benefits our constituents,” Ra said. “Highways, and local roads which run through our community, are frequented by thousands of drivers per day yet are in desperate need of repair. Our cold winters cause frequent ice wedging and deterioration of our roads, and our local governments must be given adequate resources to keep our travel arteries safe and reliable. I applaud the work of our dedicated highway and road crews across Long Island and will continue to push for this sorely-needed funding in this year’s budget.”