“Reliable transportation is key to economic growth and job creation in our region. The state budget provides much-needed funding to ensure Western New York’s roads and bridges are safe to travel on for our families and business owners, while helping local governments offset the costs to relieve the burden on taxpayers. This includes $538 million for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs), which assists municipalities with bridge and road maintenance. As a member of the Assembly Committee on Local Governments, I worked to make sure Western New York concerns were heard during budget negotiations to keep our region moving forward.”

“Further, the budget provides critical funding for upstate transit systems so they can expand services to meet growing demand, including $9 million for improvements to the Buffalo Metro Rail, which is in dire need of updates. The Metro Rail is a necessary source of transportation for both urban and suburban residents in the region. Investments like these not only look out for the riders who depend on public transit to get to work, school, and everywhere in between on a daily basis, but also helps create jobs and boost our local economies.”