Upon being named as the minority to the Transportation Budget Committee, Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I – Merrick) released the following statement:

“As the Ranking Minority Member on the Assembly Transportation Committee, I have been named to the Transportation Budget Committee. This committee, comprised of minority and majority members from both the Senate and the Assembly, is the determining factor in how transportation and infrastructure projects are funded throughout the state and I am glad to have a voice on this panel on behalf of my constituents, Nassau County and all of Long Island.

“This year’s budget will undoubtedly be one of the toughest and most contentious budgets in recent memory. This budget committee, in addition to the nine other committees, is essential to controlling and prioritizing spending. Last year, the Senate and Assembly majorities did not call these committees and the budget and budgeting process proved to be disastrous.

“This year must be different. It is my hope that this year will be open, collegial and bipartisan so that we legislators can meet the transportation needs of this state while helping to ease the burdens on our taxpayers as we try to live up to our Empire State nickname.”