Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C,I-Norwich) joins legislators and advocates at the “Local Roads are Essential” press conference on March 8, 2022. (Submitted photo)

ALBANY – Assemblyman Joseph Angelino (R,C,I-Norwich) is calling for significant budget increases to help municipalities maintain and repair local roads, bridges and culverts.

The governor is proposing that several important programs such as the Consolidated Local Streets and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS), the Extreme Winter Recovery program (EWR) and PAVE-NY be funded at their current levels.

Angelino argues the state has a budget surplus from the previous year’s budget that should be put toward increasing these programs.

“Everyone believes that our roadways and bridges are essential, yet every year we are fighting for better investment in our local roads. With the new windfall of cash from higher tax receipts, now is the time to really invest where it counts,” said Angelino. “We still have a long way to go and a lot of work ahead to keep up with the necessary repairs and maintenance required on our infrastructure, but improving our funding can help us get there.”

Angelino, with his Republican colleagues, urges the following:

·Increase CHIPS by $250 million for a total of $788 million;

·Bolster EWR by $50 million for a total of $150 million;

·Create a new “Pave Our Pothole” program of $100 million, using part of CHIPS and EWR aid; and

· Increase the five-year DOT capital plan spending to $44.1 billion, an $11.3 billion increase.

– From the Office of Assemblyman Joseph Angelino