Assemblymember Monica P. Wallace (D-Lancaster) announced that the Assembly’s 2019-20 state budget proposal provides critical funding to revitalize Western New York’s aging water mains, roads, and bridges. 

“Extreme weather has taken an enormous toll on our region’s infrastructure,” Wallace said. “Erie County has seen a skyrocketing number of water main breaks due to our outdated pipes. These issues underscore the need for funding to help communities like ours make much-needed repairs that bring our infrastructure into the modern age.”

Wallace fought for a proposal that continues the state’s commitment to providing clean water and investing in clean water projects, including $350 million for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and $55 million for the Intermunicipal Water Infrastructure grant program. This funding has been crucial to the critical sewer repair work being done throughout the 143rd Assembly District, which encompasses Cheektowaga, Lancaster, Depew, and Sloan.

The Assembly budget proposal provides $438.1 million for the Consolidated Local Street and Highway Improvement Program (CHIPs) and $39.7 million for the Marchiselli Program to update roads and bridges statewide. The Assembly’s plan also includes an additional $65 million in CHIPs funding for Extreme Winter Recovery. This funding would assist municipalities in fixing potholes without shifting the cost on to local taxpayers.

The Assembly budget also supports public transportation by allocating $104.5 million in non-MTA capital funding, continuing a $20 million increase that was part of last year’s state budget. It also provides $226.5 million for upstate transit systems – $8.8 million more than the executive proposal.

“Whether transporting goods for sale or going to work and grocery shopping, Western New Yorkers need to have roads and bridges that get them where they need to go safely,” Wallace said. “Reliable roads keep our economy moving. With our proposal, the Assembly is making a commitment to help local governments repave, replace, and rebuild the infrastructure that connects our communities.”