Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick) attended a press conference yesterday held by Sen. Tom O’Mara (R,C-Big Flats) and Assemblyman Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning) urging fellow legislators and the governor to increase funding for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) in this year’s budget. The press conference was attended by a bi-partisan group of 114 state legislators as well as local and county highway superintendents who are advocating for a $200 million increase in CHIPS funding in this year’s enacted budget.

“I am proud to support our local roads, bridges and culverts,” said McDonough. “After two very cold winters, local roads and bridges are degrading, and our municipalities are bearing the cost. We owe it to our already resource-depleted local governments and families who travel these roads each day to ensure that they are in the best shape possible.”