Today, Assemblyman Steve Hawley (R,C,I-Batavia) expressed concern about the news that New York paid $8.1 million for “I Love NY” signs across the state. Gov. Cuomo and his agency heads went ahead with installing the signs on highways throughout the state even after being warned they were in violation of federal laws which specify the types of signs allowed on highways. In November, the estimated price for the signs was much lower than the actual cost turned out to be and final cost was roughly $15,000 per sign on average for materials and installation.

“This is a perfect example of the wasteful spending that comes out of Gov. Cuomo’s Administration,” said Hawley. “What the signs don’t tell you is how businesses and residents are leaving in droves, our infrastructure is failing and how our property and income taxes are outrageous. New York’s cities and towns are in desperate need of increased funds for infrastructure and $8.1 million dollars could go a long way in repaving and repairing our roads and bridges or lowering our taxes so people actually want to relocate here in the first place. How are tourists supposed to visit New York if our deplorable road conditions prevent them from doing so?”