Senator Pam Helming joined local highway superintendents and community members at a rally advocating for increased funding in the state’s Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS). The rally highlighted concerns that flat funding in the governor’s proposed budget would strain local governments as construction costs and state mandates continue to rise.
Helming emphasized the critical role that CHIPS funding plays in maintaining roads, bridges, and culverts across New York, calling on the state to recognize the importance of investing in local infrastructure.
“Safe and accessible roads, bridges, and culverts impact every single person living, working, and visiting our state,” Helming said. “While the hardworking men and women of our local highway departments take pride in working together to stretch limited resources and keep our roadways in working order, they are not magicians.”
She warned that without an increase in CHIPS funding, local governments would be forced to cut back on essential projects, putting road conditions and safety at risk.
Standing with highway superintendents and their teams, Helming urged state leaders to acknowledge the necessity of maintaining and improving local roads. “I was proud to stand beside many of our local highway superintendents to call upon the state to increase its investment in this crucial program and acknowledge once and for all that our local roads are essential,” she said.
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