Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I – Batavia) is looking to make the $5 billion surplus from the Paribus Bank lawsuit work for the people of Western New York. He’s proposing the money go toward eliminating the Gap Elimination Adjustment (GEA) that callously cut funding from our schools, providing better broadband access, and improving local roads and bridges to better accommodate the agricultural and tourism economies.

“A lot has been said and is going to be said about the opportunities that this $5 billion surplus affords our state,” Hawley said. “I will be fighting for the elimination of the GEA, which has caused our schools a great hardship over the past few years. We must restore these cuts and make sure our schools receive the funding necessary to provide an equal education for all students.”

“Another way we do this is provide up-to-date technology. In rural communities like mine, we struggle with access to broadband internet connection. We can use these funds to ensure all New Yorkers have access to broadband internet, and continue moving New York’s economy into the 21st century,” the assemblyman continued.

“We also have bridges and roads that are not structurally capable of handling our growing agricultural economy. This is stifling the growth of our regional and state economies. By repairing these bridges and ensuring they have the capacity to carry the products created by our agricultural-based economy, as well as support the plows needed to clear our roadways during the winter months, we can make a remarkable difference, not just in our community and in Western New York, but across the state,” Hawley concluded.