Assemblyman Matt Slater (R,C-Yorktown) held a press conference today, May 19, 2023, at Yorktown Highway Garage to discuss the recent boost in state funding allocated to the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS).He was joined by Sen. Pete Harckham (D,WF-South Salem), Assemblywoman Dana Levenberg (D-Ossining) and local elected officials. Initially, Gov. Hochul's executive budget proposed $538 million in funding. However, due to the efforts of Slater and bipartisan legislators who voiced concerns, the governor responded by increasing the state funding for CHIPS to $598 million. This represents a $60 million increase compared to last year's budget.

“In my short time in Albany, there has been an effort to work in a bipartisan manner on important issues, and one of those important issues is local infrastructure. We worked hard to be able to increase CHIPS funding by $60 million to help maintain our local roads, which brings our total CHIPS funding to $598 million. Local roads are something all residents focus on because they deal with them every day, thankfully this investment will keep pace with the increased cost of paving roads. This will have a positive impact on all residents in the Hudson Valley,” said Slater.

“Our constituents deserve roadways that are safe and drivable. The sizable, 11% boost in Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPS) funding in the 2023-24 Budget, and millions of dollars for other improvements, underscores the necessity of keeping our critical infrastructure updated and in good repair. Along with my legislative colleagues, I am proud to have pushed for this funding—and I will push for more in the years to come,” said Harckham.

“I am proud to be part of a Conference that worked to secure $1.3 billion for the reconstruction of local roads and bridges, including $100 million in additional funding for the CHIPS program.I see the state of our roads and I am pushing hard to ensure we have what we need here in Westchester and Putnam counties to get them fixed. This is just the beginning,” said Levenberg.

“I would like to thank our state representatives for working in a bipartisan fashion to provide a 13.4% increase in CHIPS funding to the Town of Yorktown. Local roads matter because everyone drives on them and we all benefit when they are paved and done correctly, and this funding helps to accomplish that," said Yorktown Highway Superintendent Dave Pageanelli.

"I want to thank Assemblyman Matt Slater and our state representatives for advocating and maintaining the increase in funding desperately needed for our local roads. This additional funding will help us tackle the much-needed paving in Putnam Valley and will be a significant investment for the town," said Putnam Valley Highway Superintendent Shawn Keeler.

“This increase in CHIPS funding will provide Somers Highway Department the opportunity to address the roads that are in critical shape. Local roads are essential, and it is great to see it funded, which reflects its significance," said Somers Highway Superintendent Nick DeVito.