Following the Assembly Minority Conference’s statewide Task Force on Critical Infrastructure and Transportation, Assemblyman Dave McDonough (R,C,I-Merrick), Ranking Minority Member of the Assembly Transportation Committee, is calling for a number of transportation-related initiatives as he moves into budget negotiations next month.

“It’s no secret that Long Island is heavily commuted and that, coupled with our extreme winter weather, a serious toll is taken on our roadways and bridges,” McDonough said. “The issue lies in the fact that the MTA has become a bottomless pit with mismanagement and fraud consuming more and more tax dollars each year, leaving Long Island fighting for scraps. It’s time that we institute funding parity and go to work on our neglected roads, bridges and highways. Residents deserve to feel safe when commuting to work, riding the school bus and taking that family ride to the beach.”

McDonough’s Transportation Plan:

• $100 million increase in Consolidated Local Street and Highway (CHIPs) funding
• Institute funding parity between Long Island and New York City
• Continue state investment in Extreme Winter Recovery Funds, PAVE-NY and BRIDGE-NY programs